'Evolution through Innovation' theme for tourism conference March 16-18
The annual Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism plans on three days of thought-provoking and educational conference material on March 16-18 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
The theme "Evolution through Innovation" is intended to invoke creative thinking as tourism professionals steer their way through an evolving tourism landscape.
Deputy Director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism Jan Kostner will deliver the “State of the State of Tourism Address” on Thursday, March 17. In addition, a stellar lineup of progressive speakers will share their knowledge including:
• Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association
• Helen Marano from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce
• Don Welsh, CEO, of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
• John Lewicki, McDonald's Senior Director of Marketing and
• A presentation by The Second City
The conference closes with the Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards Luncheon, which recognizes the best of the best statewide in such categories like best web site, best visitors guide and best marketing campaign.
Tourism provides a huge economic engine for our state. The recently released economic impact numbers reflect:
• Total domestic and international traveler spending in Illinois, including direct, indirect and induced spending, was nearly $45.1 billion in 2009.
• In Illinois, total payroll income earned by travel-generated employees reached $14.0 billion in 2009.
• Including direct and secondary impact, total domestic and international traveler spending generated a total of 522.0 thousand jobs for Illinois residents in 2009.
• Domestic and international travelers' spending in Illinois directly generated nearly $5.1 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments in 2009.
• On average, every $93,709 spent in Illinois by domestic and international travelers supported one job in 2009.
For information on attending or exhibiting, visit www.ilgovconference.com/ilgovsite/ or call (630) 730-1780. For more information on tourism in the Elgin area, check out the Elgin Area Convention & Visitor Bureau's website www.northernfoxrivervalley.com