We got off to an exciting start in 2023, unveiling the Enjoy Illinois "Illinois. The Middle of Everything" float at the iconic Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on January 2. With thousands of spectators in attendance and millions watching on TV, we put Illinois Tourism on a national stage in front of a highly engaged audience. In addition to a live performance by American Idol Season 19
finalist and Illinois native Grace Kinstler, our float encapsulated the diversity of Illinois as a premier travel destination, illustrating how visitors find themselves in the middle of it all. Its creative elements showcased our great state as the intersection of art and architecture, food and outdoor adventure—with four seasons' worth of attractions. Cheers to another exciting and productive year in Illinois tourism. We look forward to our continued collaboration as we invite visitors from around the globe to experience the Middle of
Everything!
New Year's Reminders As a friendly reminder, all certified Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) have access to our Tourism Operator Module (TOM) database, which is used for managing business, destination and event listings on the Enjoy Illinois website. As you plan
your 2023 programs and events, here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you have events you’d like to promote, contact your local CVB to create event listings for
promotion on the Enjoy Illinois website event calendar.
If you manage a listing on the Enjoy Illinois website, make sure the content (description, contact information, images, website URL) is up to date.
If you represent a CVB and have questions about using TOM, please contact Brad Strauss at Brad.Strauss@illinois.gov.
We look forward to promoting your wonderful events and initiatives and shining a spotlight on every region of the state.
Chicago Pizzeria Recognized Among the World's Finest The Chicago area has long been known for its great pizza, but landing on a list of "The Best 50 Pizzas in the World" doesn't happen every
day. According to global tourism website Big 7 Travel, Pequod's legendary pies come in at number 36 worldwide.
With
locations in Lincoln Park and Morton Grove, Pequod's is well known for its signature deep-dish pizza with caramelized crust—an ideal destination for travelers seeking an authentic taste of Chicago.
We hope you're enjoying getting to know the 30 new Makers we welcomed into the Illinois Made program at the end of last year, including Evanston's Soul & Smoke (pictured above). We take so much pride in the videos we create to tell our Makers’ stories, which is why we're excited to share a few new ones with you today. They truly give you a feel for what these artisans—and our program—are all about. Check out the latest videos:
From rustic lodges and unique museums to outdoor adventures in our glorious state parks, Illinois has
something to offer for all types of travelers.
In the Enjoy Illinois Magazine, readers can discover skiing destinations like Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, hot spots for bald eagle sightings in Alton and brisk cross-country trails in places like Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in DuPage County. It’s never too early to start planning the first getaway of 2023.
