St. Charles 'Stories' campaign tells tales of visitors' experiences
The Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau's "Stories to Write Home About" winter marketing campaign encouraged visitors to help thaw the season's icy grip on our area by sharing heartwarming stories of their most cherished and charming St. Charles memories.
This multichannel marketing and social campaign successfully netted more than a dozen stories from visitors not just from around the state but around the country.
Stories ranged from treasured childhood memories of stays at Pheasant Run Resort, family visits to the annual Scarecrow Fest and Sisters Weekend, and motor coach day trips highlighted by lunch on the St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats and shopping at Century Corners.
Even Cupid himself blushed when he read the love story chronicling a local couple's first few dates at St. Charles Bowl, Pottawatomie Park and Blue Goose Market. This was followed by their eventual engagement at the Hotel Baker during the height of a large blizzard in the late 1960s. The couple have been happily married for 47 years and counting!
Throughout April, the Greater St. Charles CVB is asking for the public's help in selecting the winner of our "Stories to Write Home About" campaign.
Readers can visit StCharlesCharm.com to view the stories and photos from our finalists in more detail and vote for their favorites. There they can also share their own St. Charles stories of treasured trips and memorable moments and even request a copy of the new Greater St. Charles 2014-2015 Visitors Guide, which will be officially unveiled May 8 as part of National Travel and Tourism Week.
Fans can also vote for their favorite stories via the bureau's social media outlets on Facebook (www.facebook.com/StCharlesIllinois) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/StCharlesIL). Voting ends May 2.
The winning submission will be announced May 8, with the winner receiving a prize package including complimentary overnight stay, a $50 gift certificate for dinner at Rox City Grill, tickets to a future concert at Arcada Theatre and more.
A naturally charming experience is waiting to discover you in Greater St. Charles. Whether visiting for a weekend getaway, business meeting, sporting event or family-friendly festival, ours is a destination worth writing home about.
So what's your St. Charles story?