Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism that happened the first week of March at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago was a great pep rally to make sure all the convention and visitor’s bureaus in the state continue to make Illinois an attractive travel destination in spite of what ever economic dysfunction may be happening.
Though travel over all has dropped and meeting and events are taking a hit, everyone in Illinois should continue to do what they have been doing to keep Illinois an attractive destination. Illinois is being presented internationally as a great place to visit. To foreign travelers the dollar is great here. Illinois is a bargain on all levels as it offers the experience memories are made of for everyone.
It is a great plus that we’re able to offer Lincoln’s 200th birthday celebration, the new president is a resident and Chicago as a 2016 Olympic candidate city as fascinations that will draw visitors regardless of financial fluctuation. Everyone needed to be reassured and to continue to keep Illinois looking good and to play up new angles for discovery.
Across the board it is always a conference geared in a specific direction. This year, a new demographic came into focus and knowing how to market to their experience is something they wanted everyone to be more aware. The Boomer, no matter what stage, has to be taken into consideration for their lifestyle, their amount of freedom and their financial ability to do as they please in relation to travel. In addition, realizing the ethnic experience regardless of what culture is something that should be paid closer attention within the Boomer culture.
Also making all realize that social networking and their web sites are a huge part in the travel decision. More travelers are spending time on the web for everything from travel research to reservations. To be savvy in these areas are huge part of staying current for capturing the new demographic traveler.
It was also announced there is a new Director at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Warren Riblely. He is a strong proponent of tourism and is vowing to keep Illinois on top in U S travel.
Each year it is good to see how each area is doing, what new ideas have come to light and to see tourism colleagues from throughout the state. I look forward to next year for new ideas and discoveries. Illinois will always have what it takes to keep the travelers arriving with time and money to spend throughout the state. We are always happy to get the pep talk to keep things on track.
