Think You Know DuPage?

DuPage County is getting a dramatic new look. And Beth Marchetti, executive director of the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB), is confident you'll see a side of DuPage you've never seen before.

The DCVB is preparing to officially roll out its new branding for DuPage County this summer, after spending more than a year in the planning phase - all a part of the organization's strategic planning process called GPS: A Tourism Roadmap.

"The timing was right for a state of the industry analysis," Marchetti said. "Going one step further, we evaluated what our audiences knew about DuPage, and what makes us stand out in the Chicagoland area. DuPage has significant amenities that set us apart from our neighbors. But we also discovered not many people are aware of them."

For those in the know, you can do more in DuPage - for your body, mind, and budget. The new branding for DuPage will focus on showcasing what that means for planners and travelers.

For nearly 30 years, the DCVB has been at the helm of a thriving hospitality environment, catering to the specific needs of event and meeting planners. Marchetti and her team have cultivated and nurtured impressive relationships with 38 communities and hundreds of individual businesses. The result is an invaluable network for planners to tap into when creating their next event.

With GPS: A Tourism Roadmap, Marchetti is aiming to expand upon that network of success, creating more partnerships to enhance the visitor experience.

"When the comprehensive industry comes together under one unified vision, the planner and visitor win, as their experience becomes seamless," explained Marchetti. "Moving forward with the Tourism Roadmap, we are building stronger connections and linking tourism products for easier use by the visitor. This will also show in our messaging, with more meaningful stories that capture the holistic DuPage experience."

With DuPage County being so expansive, Marchetti explains it can be difficult to showcase the collective DuPage experience. "The key to the success of the new branding is its ability to highlight core values, such as quality of life and amenities, while still providing opportunity to portray the different personalities of DuPage's many and diverse communities."

At the core of new initiatives is the goal to help planners better understand and tap into the unique resources in DuPage County, including intellectual and physical infrastructures. The DCVB is prioritizing collaboration with DuPage businesses and industry leaders - from science to education to health care and more. These collaborations will provide a foundation on which greater needs can be met, and symbiotic relationships formed. The Tourism Roadmap outlines several key collaborative opportunities, with efforts already underway. More partnerships will be explored as the plan gains momentum.

"We often say we're the best kept secret," says Marchetti. "But for organizations and businesses trying to educate, connect and deliver innovation, we need to be a source of inspiration, not a best kept secret. There is a reason why numerous corporate headquarters choose DuPage, and why our residents live here. That is what we hope to show in greater detail moving forward."

And with its location at the crossroads of major expressways and equidistant between Chicago's two major airports, DuPage is truly in the heart of it all.

No matter the nature of the event, Marchetti's team of tourism professionals at the DCVB work to provide affordable packages for attendees while being mindful of the necessary comforts, conveniences and unforgettable experiences that are expected. Meeting and corporate event planners are never without a multitude of options when it comes to premium quality hotel rooms, millions of square feet of meeting space, and ample recreation opportunities.

Truly, DuPage County is a destination even to those who live in nearby downtown Chicago. Every week, cyclists load their bikes onto Metra trains and leave the congestion of the city to enjoy the hundreds of miles of bike trails in DuPage County. DuPage County Forest preserves boast 25,000 acres of trails, lakes and streams. Add in 1,700 acres of gardens and 4,100 species of trees and plants in DuPage's Morton Arboretum and you have a cornucopia of recreational opportunities to hike, bike, or simply stroll through an impressive array of nature.

For groups that prioritize great food, DuPage has no shortage of world class restaurants. From Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse to multiple local breweries and culinary visionaries such as Jill Foucré, owner of Marcel's Culinary Experience and the cheese shop, Marché, great food experiences are all right here. Myriad of festivals, quaint downtown districts, world class restaurants and peaceful landscapes draw yet more people to visit DuPage.

For a perfect fit tailored to any group, the DuPage Convention and Visitor's Bureau is well positioned to make any meeting, sports event or retreat a success.