The Illinois Office of Tourism returned to the national stage last month at the 26th Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at the United Center in Chicago. Basketball fans from around the country enjoyed Illinois at our interactive photobooth, entered a sweepstake and got to see why Illinois is truly The Middle of Everything. Fan interaction resulted in nearly 70,000 impressions and a 22% lift in audience growth on our social media channels.
We’re busy promoting spring break travel and seasonal festivals and events as we prepare to launch our next spring/summer tourism campaign. Launching on April 17, the campaign will target 22 markets via TV, digital, social, print and OOH channels, including dedicated buys for Spanish language and LGBTQ publications and sites. This all-inclusive effort will bring The Middle of Everything to life for
key drive markets plus national and international audiences in the months ahead.
In other news, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $22.5 million in grant funding for 89 tourism projects across Illinois through the Tourism Attractions and
Festivals Grant program. Illinois increased available funding from $15 million to $22.5 million in order to support additional attractions and festivals across the state.
More ‘Back to Business’ Grant Opportunities for Illinois
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced $175 million in grant funding through its Back to Business program.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the program offers additional aid to restaurants, hotels, businesses and other sectors which were hit the hardest by the pandemic. It’s
part of the Pritzker administration’s efforts to help small business owners move past the pandemic and achieve long-term success.
Applications opened on April 5 and will be accepted through May 10. Awards are expected to be made a few weeks after the deadline date.
Congratulations to Savanna
USA Today unveiled its 2023 Readers’ Choice selections, announcing that Savanna has held onto its title of “Best Small Town in the U.S. for Adventure” for yet another year. This is the third consecutive year that Savanna has won the award in this category. As the starting point for 60 miles of outstanding bike trails, the town and surrounding area are known for great outdoor recreation including fishing, hiking and boating. With its stunning natural beauty and small-town charm, Savanna has established itself as a must-visit destination for adventure seekers looking to explore The Middle of Everything.
Illinois Hotels Embrace a New Tourism Trend A good night’s rest might seem like an unconventional reason to take a vacation, but sleep tourism has become a popular trend—and hotels are taking advantage. Chicago hotels like CitizenM, the Langham Chicago and Staypineapple Chicago are starting to create specialized experiences to help guests improve their quality of sleep and get a much-needed mental recharge.This can include anything from luxurious beds and extra-comfortable robes to relaxation tools and techniques like weighted blankets, sleep masks or special massages.
New Videos We are pleased to share the latest addition to our
Illinois Made video collection: Prairie Fire Glass.
We are in the post-production phase of several other Illinois Made videos showcasing talented creators and unique businesses from across the state. Be on the lookout for the launch of new videos on our YouTube channel in the coming days and weeks.
Illinois Made Submission Deadline If you know any amazing small businesses or expert artisans in Illinois, start thinking about nominating them for the Illinois Made program. The nomination deadline for the 2023 class is August 1. If someone you know is interested in becoming a Maker,nominate themhere.
The Spring/Summer 2023 issue of the Enjoy Illinois Magazine was released last month. The magazine is an excellent biannual resource for tourists and travelers looking to experience all that your region has to offer. Each issue offers a mix of seasonal travel stories and special features that serve as inspiration for visitors, such as the article showcasing one-of-a-kind lodging
experiences (like tree houses and train cabooses) that appears in this issue. Order your own copy at the link below orview it online. For bulk orders, please contact Brad.Strauss@illinois.gov.
