Visit Lake County celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week, highlights industry’s local impact
In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Lake County brought together local leaders, hospitality professionals and community partners to celebrate the powerful role travel plays in the region’s economy and quality of life. The bureau hosted its annual NTTW Forum on Wednesday, May 7, at Lindy’s Landing Restaurant and Marina in Wauconda; a lively gathering that spotlighted the value of tourism in Lake County.
The forum featured networking, refreshments and a tribute to the region’s 2025 Hospitality Hero Award recipients. The VLC Hospitality Heroes program launched in 2024 highlighting exceptional front-line and behind-the-scenes staff in Lake County’s tourism and hospitality sector. This year’s honorees included:
• Matt Phillips, director of tasting room operations, Lynfred Winery in Wheeling and Highland Park, 17 years of service
• Elaine Bock, manager, Magnolia Café & Bakery at Lambs Farm in the Green Oaks/Libertyville area, 40 years of service
• Alfonso Rojas, room service and banquets and events, Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, 48 years of service
“Travel drives economic opportunity and strengthens our community,” said Maureen Riedy, president of Visit Lake County. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we celebrated not just our local destinations but the people behind them — the ones who make Lake County a welcoming and vibrant place to visit.”
Since 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week has recognized the travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, supporting jobs and enhancing communities across the United States. In Lake County in 2023 alone, travel contributed $1.9 million in visitor spending, nearly 16,000 jobs and over $200 million generated in state and local tax revenue.
In Lake County, tourism continues to be a vital economic driver. From its natural beauty and forest preserves to family-friendly attractions and a thriving arts and culinary scene, travel supports small businesses, fuels job creation and helps tell the story of the county’s diverse communities.
Visit Lake County extends gratitude to its partners and attendees who joined this year’s celebration. Together, the region is reaffirming the value of travel and its ability to connect people, places and possibilities.
To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit USTravel.org. For further travel information, head to VisitLakeCounty.org.