Tourism Marketing Information

The Chicago

Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau recognized its members, municipali-ties and or-ganizations for their

outstanding service in the tourism industry during Fiscal Year 2015. The awards were presented at the CVB’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at the Hilton Chicago / Oak Lawn & Conference Center. CVB President / CEO Jim Garrett focused on the Chicago Southland’s Monumental Year in tourism.

“The good news is the Chicago Southland hospitality industry is healthy, strong and doing very well. This year, Chicago Southland hotel occupancy hit an all time record high of 77.4 percent,” said Jim Garrett. “We had a monumental year and the only way to remain competitive is if the state of Illinois continues to fund the economic engine of tourism.” Special guest speaker Governor Bruce Rauner, addressed the audience on his time as Chairman of Choose Chicago saying “tourism industry and the meetings and convention industry is our core to our economic growth.” Keynote speaker Cory Jobe, Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism spoke on the economic impact of tourism on the state and local levels. “I’m very proud of our

economic impact figures and the work we’ve done to stimulate travel in Illinois,” said Cory Jobe, Director for the Illinois Office of Tourism. “The [Chicago Southland] region generated over 1.3 million hotel/motel overnight stays and tourism spending directly supported more than 12 thousand jobs.” The luncheon commenced with the Annual Stars of the Industry Awards honoring the work of exceptional regional hotel employees on the frontlines for their continued strive for excellence. The Chicago Southland CVB also presented five awards highlighting the contributions of its members and partners to the tourism and industry in the Chicago Southland.

Chicago Southland CVB Holds Annual Meeting & Luncheon

Vol. 1 Issue 4 November 2015

And the Winner Is ...

Betsy Nowakowski of the Country Inn & Suites Tinley Park

Maria Castenada of the Baymont Inn & Suites - Alsip

Luanne Tarvid of the DoubleTree by Hilton

Heather Stevens of the Hilton Chicago / Oak Lawn

Juan Madrigal of the Holiday Inn Express Chicago South - Lansing

2015 Food & Beverage Employee of the Year

2015 Housekeeping Employee of the Year

2015 Guest Service Employee of the Year

2015 Manager of the Year2015 Maintenance

Employee of the Year

Drivin’ the Dixie

Award of Merit

Award of Merit

Illinois Toll Authority

Linda Morgan Award for Volunteerism

JoAnne Alexander of the Village of Glenwood

Patricia Chase Magon Municipal Leadership Award

Member of the YearSenator Aldo DeAngelis

Leadership Award

Sandra Bury, Mayor of the Village of Oak Lawn

Mike Shymanski, Pullman National Monument

Claude Gendreau, Owner of La Banque Hotel

For a digital copy of our Annual Report, go to

VisitChicagoSouthland.com/AnnualReport

2015 Annual Report

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Cory Jobe Tours Chicago Southland

With the successful wrap-up of the 2015 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon, staff of the Chicago Southland CVB had

the honor of touring Cory Jobe, Director for the Illinois Office of Tourism around the region. Scheduled stops included historic downtown Frankfort, Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, La Banque Hotel and La Voûte restaurant, Standard Bank Stadium in the village of Crestwood and the Tinley Park Convention Center. “I believe Cory gained a better understanding of what the Chicago Southland offers to meetings and events planners, group tour operators and sports planners,” said Mary Patchin, Director of Sales for the Chicago Southland CVB. “He was thoroughly impressed with all of our attractions, sports facilities and the Tinley Park Convention Center.”

Sally Schlesinger, CPA, CDME, Executive Vice President for the

Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau was honored for her accomplishments as a Chief Financial Officer at the fourth annual Daily Herald Business Ledger’s CFO of the Year Awards on July 23rd at Bollingbrook Golf Club. The Daily Herald Business Ledger gave consideration to CFO’s contributions to their organization’s overall growth, commitment to good ethics, effective reporting and involvement in the community. The honorees were nominated by their peers and reviewed by the editorial

staff of the Daily Herald Business Ledger. The keynote speech was given by James Kranjc, communications tax practice leader and principal-in-charge of the Chicago offices of tax consulting firm Ryan LLC. “Ultimately, integrity and trustworthiness are your greatest assets,” Kranjc said. “We have to be ethical, we have to be trustworthy, and people have to believe in what you say.” In 1991, Schlesinger was tasked with aiding in an audit on the parent company of the Chicago Southland CVB. Soon after the audit was over, the Chicago Southland CVB had an immediate need for someone to take over the financial responsibilities and state grant obligations. The next 24 years saw Schlesinger grow into a pivotal role with the Bureau, helping double the budget and add 14 municipalities through thoughtful and innovative means. “We are truly lucky to have Sally on our staff,” said Jim Garrett, CDME, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB.

“Her dedication and commitment shine on a daily basis and she is looked upon as a financial leader throughout the Illinois tourism industry and was an integral part of helping the bureau evolve to where it is today.” “The respect and love for accounting that I have, along with the fulfillment I receive through my passion for tourism, bring great joy to my life,” said Sally Schlesinger, CPA, CDME, Executive Vice President for the Chicago Southland CVB. “I have the best job in the world … tourism’s economic value and its impact on the quality of life for many people give my career real meaning.”

Congratulations to our CFO of the Year!

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Windy City ThunderBolts Mike Lucas and Bill Waliewski, Director Cory Jobe with Chicago Southland CVB Sales Director Mary Patchin,

Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta and Standard Bank Representative Laura Shallow

The Chicago Southland is one step closer to the opening of the Southland Century, a 100-mile loop with the completion of the Thorn Creek Trail in Chicago Heights. On Sunday, November 1, 2015, the Forest Preserves of

Cook County celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. “Having a trail system that showcases the beauty of the Chicago Southland is fantastic,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB. “Visitors will be able to get a view of the Chicago Southland they can’t get by car or train.”

Thorn Creek Trail Opening

The Chicago Southland CVB Recently Awarded Grants

Illinois Nurses Association, INA Membership Assembly in Alsip, Village of Alsip - $1,839 – Pictured left to right; Mary Patchin, Director of Sales for the Chicago Southland CVB, Staci

Moore, Associate Director for the Illinois Nurses Association and Jim Garrett, President / CEO for

the Chicago Southland CVB.

Village of Orland Park, Taste of Orland Park - $1,550.00 – Pictured left to right; Jim Garrett,

President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB, Patricia Gira, Trustee for the Village of Orland Park and Kim Kislowski, Director of Marketing

for the Chicago Southland CVB.

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Arnold Randall, Jim Garrett and Steve Buchtel pose for a picture during the Thorn

Creek Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Jim Garrett and Pam Sielski cut the ribbon which officially opens the

Thorn Creek Trail

Georgios Banquets, Quality Inn & Suites Conference Centre (formerly the Comfort Inn & Conference

Centre & Georgios Banquets) of Orland Hills recently underwent a 2 million dollar renovation which included guest rooms, common areas and the ballrooms. “While it’s a new look and name, they are providing the same outstanding quality service” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB.

For more information, please visit www.Georgios.com

John WatsonDirector of Economic

DevelopmentVillage of South

Holland

Keri HallOperations ManagerSuper 8 - Bridgeview

Charlie Shirk General Manager

Hilton Chicago / Oak Lawn & Conference

Center

With winter fast approaching, it is easy to fall into the same mundane routine. Shake things up with the

Chicago Southland Fall & Winter 2015 - 2016 Festivals & Events Guide. The Guide contains all the information you will need to have fun at any of the 306 festivals and events in the Chicago Southland’s 62 communities.

For a free copy of the Festivals & Events Guide, call or email the Chicago Southland Convention

& Visitors Bureau today at 708-895-8200 or info@VisitChicagoSouthland.com. For the most up-to-

date listings of festivals and events, visit the Chicago Southland Festivals & Events Calendar online at

VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Events.

Georgios Undergoes Renovations and Name Change

The CSCVB releases Fall & Winter 2015 -2016 Festivals &

Events Guide

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CSCVB Welcomes New Board Members

Getting Social at the CSCVB Office!

The Chicago Southland CVB recently hosted a social media seminar at its offices in Lansing on September

24th. “Social media marketing is constantly evolving and it is our goal to empower our restaurants, hotels, municipalities and venues to keep up with the changes to better promote the Chicago Southland and our facillities,” said Kristen Bonk, Social Media & Events Manager.

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitor Bureau won the Journalists Choice Award during the

closing ceremony at Travel Media Showcase, held in Bloomington, IN. Travel Media Showcase connects destinations from all over North America with various travel writers, bloggers and photographers. The conference was held August 11th –14th in Bloomington, IN and featured over 60 exhibitors and 50 journalists with the intention of establishing working relationships that give the destination media coverage and the journalists new and exciting content. During the final day of the conference, journalists voted on the best exhibitor using criteria such as; best utilization of time, most entertaining, enthusiasm, knowledge of destination and overall media pitch.

While at the conference, the Chicago Southland CVB marketing department promoted various activities and attractions throughout the region. “Travel writers seemed to really enjoy everything we had to offer,” said Juston Teach, Communications Manager for the Chicago Southland CVB. “Whether it was TOYOTA PARK, Pullman National Monument or the Pickwick Society Tea Room Gifts & Antiques, everyone was quite impressed with the Chicago Southland.” “It’s wonderful that travel writers from all over the country are recognizing the passion we have about the Chicago Southland,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB. “We made wonderful connections to some great writers and we look forward to bringing them to the Chicago Southland and

showcasing all the great things that make up the region.”

ChicagoSouthland CSCVB

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau wants to hear from you! Be sure to like, comment and share our posts and remember to use the hashtag

#ChicagoSouthland when posting content of your own.

VisitSouthland VisitSouthlandChicagoSouthlandCVB

Be Sure to Check Out the Chicago Southland CVB on Social Media

Chicago Southland CVB Marketing Department Wins Award

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On August 27, 2015, the Chicago Southland CVB hosted Reiko Yamamoto, a Japanese travel writer.

Reiko Yamamoto writes for a premier travel guide in Japan and spent the afternoon touring TOYOTA PARK, eating a fantastic meal at Mama Luigi’s and taking in a Chicago Fire Soccer Club match. “It’s wonderful that international audiences have the Chicago Southland on their radar,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB.

Sports Destination Management recently recognized the Chicago Southland CVB for their Economic Impact in Sports Tourism for the American Taekwondo Association Class “A” Tournament, held in Lynwood at the

Southland Center, a Ho Chunk Enterprise. “Nominations were from an enormous variety of sports — from team to individual, across all disciplines and all levels of play,” said Publisher, Fonda Johnson. The most outstanding of those received were recognized and presented with event details in a special awards feature published in the November / December 2015 issue of Sports Destination Management. “It’s fantastic that a great event like the American Taekwondo Association Class “A” Tournament was recognized for its economic impact in the Chicago Southland,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB. “Over 900 competitors and their families from 24 states experienced the best the Chicago Southland had to offer and we are excited to bring them back next March!”

The CSCVB Wins Economic Impact Award!

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau recently completed another successful

Front Line Training! With over 17 people in attendance at the La Banque Hotel in Homewood on October, 22nd, the seminar aimed to create stronger employees armed with information about the Chicago Southland and customer service tips. Future training opportunities are in the works.

The Chicago Southland says Kon’nichiwa to a

Japanese Travel Writer

The CSCVB Completes Successful Front Line Training!

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The Chicago Southland CVB Welcomes New Members

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