Our conference program this year includes a special pre-conference heritage tourism workshop (available by special advance registration only to a limited number of attendees), as well as terrific keynotes and exciting breakout sessions.
New this year, we are introducing four educational tracks which will help you make the most of your conference experience. The tracks are: marketing and media, sales, niche and specialty markets, and technology. Look for the icon next to each breakout session to identify its track.
Complete program information is listed below. Click here to register now!
Wednesday, February 13 Conference Program
Thursday, February 14 Conference Program
Friday, February 15 Conference Program
 New For 2008 - Join us for a half-day pre-conference workshop!
Heritage Development and its impact on tourism
Led by John Cosgrove, Executive Director, Alliance of National Heritage Areas Wednesday, February 13, 2008
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
What is your destination or attraction's story? How does it connect with its surrounding area? What is being done to connect this story with visitors?
If your work involves heritage areas, historic sites, or marketing a region through its distant or recent past, you'll want to sign up for this innovative session, featuring John Cosgrove, Executive Director of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas. John is one of the country's leading experts on heritage development and heritage tourism.
Cosgrove's half-day session will cover a series of topics that are essentials for any tourism professional incorporating their destination's history and heritage into their marketing strategy.
This session is available to a limited number of conference registrants for an additional $60 fee. Lunch is included.
To register for this session, please circle the Heritage Workshop Registration option on your 2008 Illinois Governor's Conference registration form or click here to register!
1:00pm-2:30pm
Illinois Bureau of Tourism Grants Panel
IBOT Staff
A panel of grant program managers will provide a brief overview of available tourism grant programs and offer information on the tourism attraction signage program. This will be an interactive session for attendees to ask specific questions regarding access to these programs.
2:00pm-3:30pm
Making Global Headlines
IBOT's UK, German and Ireland Teams
Visitors from the UK, Germany and Ireland are coming in record numbers to see why Chicago and Illinois are Simply Magnificent. Listen to IBOT's PR, advertising and trade representatives as they provide an overview of the state's international marketing strategy and discuss how attendees can build international business and extend the Simply Magnificent brand to their individual destinations and businesses.
3:45pm-5:00pm
GREAT SESSION
Illinois Industry Insights
Extra! Extra! Hear all about the latest news from your industry peers in this interactive ideation session. Attendees are invited to share their brightest ideas and best practices with fellow tourism professionals statewide. Come prepared and be ready to make news.
6:30pm - 9:00pm
 Making News Icebreaker
All conference attendees will want to be at the official kickoff celebration at the Illinois State Museum. View the exhibits, catch up with friends and colleagues, indulge in food and drink, and enjoy!
Special Thanks To: Illinois State Museum
8:30am-10:30am
BREAKFAST GREAT SESSION
State of the State of Tourism Address: Making News
Jack Lavin, Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity;
Jan Kostner, Deputy Director, Illinois Bureau of Tourism
 Join Illinois' tourism leaders during the State of the State of Tourism Address to learn why the travel industry continues to be vital to the state's economy. Attendees will receive a comprehensive overview of Illinois' past successful tourism initiatives and learn about new programs coming in 2008.
10:45am-Noon
BREAKOUT
How to Get Results Online
Alicia Whalen and Patricia Brusha, Co-Founders, A Couple of Chicks eMarketing
This interactive session will offer attendees a practical look at ways to enhance their organization's Web site and market to the online community through Web-based tools that are easy to implement and produce immediate results. This session will discuss topics that will help you reach your target market by building your online presence.
10:45am-Noon
BREAKOUT
Targeting Travelers with Trends
Ann Mack, Director of Trendspotting, JWT
Join trend expert Ann Mack for a fact-filled, in-depth look at the top trends that will impact your marketing and advertising in 2008 and beyond. Drawing from a global trendspotting and analytical network, Mack will offer groundbreaking research and consumer insights from around the world and explain what it means for Illinois tourism's growth.
10:45am-Noon
BREAKOUT
Turn Green into Green
Brian T. Mullis, President, Sustainable Travel International
According to a 2007 national survey by the Travel Industry Association of America, more than half of all U.S. adults say they would be more likely to select a travel provider that uses environmentally friendly products and processes. Discover what sustainable tourism is all about and how the growing green movement can bring increased tourism dollars through an expanded market reach. Mullis will present green solutions and doable options that teach you how to easily integrate sustainable business practices into your operations.
10:45am-Noon
BREAKOUT
Closing the Deal: Strategies for Increased Sales
Brad Lewis, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Professional Convention Management Association
Gemma Mulvihill, Executive Director of Sales
Broadway in Chicago
What makes the difference between a good prospect and a great piece of business? Our experts will detail the "dos and dont's" of qualifying and prioritizing leads, knowing your competition, isolating client needs, building a strong proposal, and closing the sale. This session will address both meetings and group tour markets, and will allow time for questions and discussion.
12:30pm-2pm
 LUNCH GREAT SESSION
PrimeTime Women: How to Win the Hearts, Minds, and Business of Boomer Big Spenders
Marti Barletta, Founder and President, The TrendSight Group
PrimeTime Women - 50 to 70 years of age- should be top of mind for everyone interested in marketing to women. These boomers are the healthiest, wealthiest, most active, educated and engaged generation of women in history and they live in households with per capita spending 2.5 times the national average. They are the ultimate bullseye for marketers and this session will help you capitalize on the opportunity they represent.
2:15pm-3:30pm
BREAKOUT
Search Engine Optimization - Maximizing Your Web Presence
Alicia Whalen and Patricia Brusha, Co-Founders, A Couple of Chicks eMarketing
The Web is the primary resource for consumers researching travel. In this session, you will learn practical tips for maximizing your online exposure through search engine optimization, as well as best practices for garnering greater online presence by driving traffic to your site.
2:15pm-3:30pm
BREAKOUT
Meet the Press
Moderator: Robin Beaman, Beaman Incorporated
Panel: Zack Dunkin, Indianapolis Star
Elaine Glusac, national freelance travel writer
Melissa Hahn, Illinois Radio Network
Barbara Morrow, Midwest Living
This session will teach you how to build lasting media relationships that will keep your product, attraction or destination in the news. Accomplished journalists will discuss how attendees can effectively work with the media to secure quality feature coverage about their offerings.
2:15pm-3:30pm
BREAKOUT
An International Travel Perspective
Daniel Levine, Executive Director, Avant-Guide Institute
One of the industry's leading travel marketing experts, Daniel Levine chronicles the latest local and international cultural and travel trends and experiences from around the globe. In this session, he will discuss where the travel industry is headed and how Illinois' travel professionals can develop programs and marketing strategies to lure the international traveler.
3:45pm-5:00pm
GREAT SESSION
Emerging Travel Habits and Preferences: Implications For Marketing Illinois
Dr. Peter Yesawich, CEO, Ypartnership
One of the industry's leading marketing strategists presents a stimulating and compelling look at demographic, lifestage, lifestyle and social changes shaping U.S. travel behavior today. This session explores the future impact of these trends to the travel and tourism industry organizations.
5:00pm-7:00pm
A Taste of Illinois Networking Reception
Join us at our trade show - the Illinois Tourism Marketplace for refreshments including a sampling of Illinois wine and hors d'oeuvres, while you network with exhibitors.
Sponsored by:
Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association
Southwest Airlines
From 7:00pm
A Night on the Town
Enjoy Springfield's downtown with a selection of dining and entertainment options available by advance registration only. Complete details will be available by December 21st.
Special Thanks to:
Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
Downtown Springfield Inc.
Chicago Gray Line
From 9:00pm-11:30 pm
Valentine's Day Sweet Dreams Reception
Join us at the top of the Hilton Springfield to finish off your night in style! Enjoy great music and late night refreshments.
Sponsored by:
Western Illinois Tourism Development Office
8:30am-10:15am
BREAKFAST GREAT SESSION
Get a Kick Out of Life - Reviving Your Attitude at Work and in Life
Sam Glenn Motivational Speaker
Want to recharge your staff with energy, humor and vision? Sometimes life has a way of knocking the "kick" out of us, and that "kick" is our enthusiasm, focus, sense of humor, resilience, and overall best attitude. Our kick gets weakened when we let stress build up or when life throws us an unexpected curve ball. Get ready to experience a rekindled enthusiasm for life and a new appreciation for your greatest asset - your attitude!
10:30am-11:45am
BREAKOUT
Joining the Conversation - A Social Media Discussion
Moderator: Leah Jones, Social Media Analyst, Edelman
Panel: Lauren Viera, Chicago Tribune's Midwest Getaways
Rayne DeVivo, Central Illinois Life
Mark Sedenquist, RoadTripAmerica.com
Navigating the world of social media can be tricky, and not just for those new to the game. This panel of social media experts will teach you what it means to be a blogger, explain how social media and online networking will influence your business, and look at the decisions that drive written content online.
10:30am-11:45am
BREAKOUT
Building Sales Through Partnerships and Packaging
Moderator: Mary Twomey, Director of Sales and Marketing, Chicago's Essex Inn
Panel: Aimee Willetts - Manager of Tourism and Group Sales, The Field Museum
Kim Rosendahl, Director of Tourism, Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dave Lang - General Manager, Tri-State Travel, Galena, Illinois
From regional collaborations to purchasable packages - working with your industry partners drives new business. Learn from attraction, destination, lodging and group tour experts what it takes to develop and market products and programs that appeal to domestic and international tour operators and deliver heads in beds.
10:30-11:45am
BREAKOUT
An Insider's Guide to Event Planning
Jodi Wolf, President, Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment, Inc.
No matter what the scale, budget or occasion, event planning can be an immense challenge. This seminar - ideal for those who plan client events, work for a special event venue, or include off-site venues in their sales bids, will take you through every step of the event-planning process. You'll learn to sidestep the stress, balance the budget, anticipate problems and create a smooth event that makes a lasting impression.
Noon-1:30pm
Making Headlines - The 2008 Governor's Awards Luncheon
Join us for the 2008 Governor's Awards luncheon to recognize our industry colleagues who have been making news in Illinois through innovative, forward-thinking tourism marketing practices.
Special thanks to R.S.Owens
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