Promote Woodstock, Visit Mchenry County win awards at Illinois tourism conference

Promote Woodstock and Visit McHenry County were honored at the annual Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism Awards Dinner in Springfield, Illinois, on Monday, March 20.

Promote Woodstock won the "Best Branding Initiative" award and Visit McHenry County won the "Best Visitor Publication" award.

The Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism Awards Dinner featured nine award categories and 18 awards total based on size of marketing budget were presented. A record 110 award entries were submitted this year and judged by tourism directors from six surrounding states.

The "Best Branding Initiative" award recognizes a "campaign, tool or activity designed to revitalize the destination brand, establish new brand identity or create brand awareness, and may include industry economic impact messaging."

"Promote Woodstock is deeply honored to receive the award for Best Branding Initiative," said Woodstock City Council member and Promote Woodstock president Mike Turner. "The initiative has been a tremendous success since it was launched. The award underscores the success of our mission, which is to is to grow tourism to Woodstock and McHenry County, increase economic development opportunities, and create a stronger sense of community."

Promote Woodstock is a public-private partnership funded by the City of Woodstock to grow tourism, increase economic development opportunities and create a stronger sense of community so Woodstock can grow. The Real Woodstock brand was created by Promote Woodstock and a5, a Chicago-based brand and digital marketing consultancy. Real Woodstock champions positive stories about people, place and happenings through striking visuals, clear messaging and an invitation to be a part of Real Woodstock.

Visit McHenry County"s was awarded "Best Visitor Publication" for its annual Insider Guide magazine. The "Best Visitor Publication" award recognizes a "Visitors guide, magazine, book or other publication used to promote a tourism destination."

"Visit McHenry County is excited to be recognized for the time and talents that went into creating the 2016/2017 Insider Guide," said Visit McHenry County's executive director Jaki Berggren. "Our staff enjoyed working with McDaniels Marketing and J Nanez Photography, who successfully took our vision for the guide and brought it to life. This publication helps us to effectively market the region and enhance the visitor's experience."

Visit McHenry County is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation with the mission to create economic growth for and to develop and promote McHenry County by effectively marketing the region as a preferred tourist destination as well as enhancing the visitor's experience and protecting the quality of life valued by its citizens.