Please join us in giving Kristin A. Richards, the new Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), a warm industry welcome. Richards began serving in her role for DCEO, which oversees the Illinois Office of Tourism, on January 17.
Prior to joining DCEO, she spent two decades as a public servant for the State of Illinois in various positions, most recently serving as Director at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). A lifelong Illinoisan, she has experienced firsthand what Illinois has to offer, from a resurgence in downtowns to unrivaled development opportunities, world-class attractions and Illinois’ best asset: our people.
We’re looking ahead to a busy March. Starting Thursday, we’re taking The Middle of Everything on the road to the 26th Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, which is being held March 8-12 at the United Center in Chicago. This major event is an excellent opportunity to highlight the Illinois brand on a national stage while showcasing our state’s diverse array of destinations to basketball fans from across the country.
If you plan to attend the
tournament, make sure to swing by the Enjoy Illinois booth in the East Atrium (right by the iconic Michael Jordan statue)—we’ll be there Thursday through Sunday!
Connecting with National and International Markets
We started February strong with a robust presence at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace Conference in Detroit, where we showcased Illinois’ diverse attractions through more than 40 meetings with tour operators and travel planners from across the country.
Later in the month, our team ventured north to Toronto for the Canada Outdoor Adventure Show, where we spent three days exhibiting in partnership with Mississippi River Country, Heritage Corridor and Great Rivers and Routes. The event provided an excellent platform to present Illinois' outdoor adventure products to an international market, connect directly with consumers and distribute travel
guides and postcards—ultimately inspiring visits to our state’s unique communities along the Mississippi River.
Visit Springfield joined us for a two-day sales mission following the trade show, where we continued engaging with Toronto-area media and travel trade representatives and explored potential collaboration opportunities.
St. Patrick’s Day: A Storied Tradition in Illinois
There’s no shortage of enthusiasm for St. Patrick's Day across our state, which is good news for visitors and the Illinois communities hosting celebrations. For example, the annual Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade & River Dyeing draws hundreds of thousands of people every year, with visitors coming from all over the country to join the festivities.
Outside Chicago, we’re looking forward to a wide variety of St. Patrick's Day festivals and events across the state that celebrate local Irish culture and traditions while offering visitors a chance to explore different regions.
Women’s History Month In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve compiled the amazing stories of
many of the talented female Makers in our Illinois Made program. These women are leading innovative small businesses, crafting beautiful products and creating unforgettable experiences all over the state—and they’re a driving force behind Illinois’ position as a unique travel destination. New Illinois Made Video You know we love to tell our Makers’ stories, particularly through video. We’re thrilled to share our latest with you: McMahon Gallery from Lake Forest. Enjoy! If someone you know is interested in becoming a Maker, please feel free tonominate themfor the 2023 class.
The Spring/Summer 2023 issue of the Enjoy Illinois Magazine was released on March 1! Now is the time for travelers to start planning that next big spring/summer getaway. This issue will help visitors learn how to plan the mother of all EV road trips along Route 66, get the scoop on the trendiest dining hotspots in each region, and gather inspiration for an Illinois vacation they'll never forget. Order your own copy at the link below orview it online. For bulk orders, please contact Brad.Strauss@illinois.gov.
