C Vol hica . 5 Issue go Sou reau Southland Convention 1 &• VisitorsA Bureau thland Convention & Visitors Bu ugust 2019

~Chicago Southland CVB Hosts Biggest FAM Yet~ The Chicago Southland CVB hosted its largest FAM group tour to date, with over 30 tour operators coming in from across the U.S. and Canada. Over the course of three days, the group visited sites in the Chicago Southland and beyond!

Guests stayed in one of three area hotels throughout the FAM: the Baymont by Wyndham Chicago/Alsip, the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip and the Holiday Inn Express – Crestwood.

On day one, the group traveled to St. John to visit The Shrine of Christ’s Passion. Afterwards, the tour continued with stops at Bible League International and Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios, both in Crete. The day concluded with a networking opportunity at a nightcap hosted by Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery on Chicago’s south side.

The second day, the group trekked into downtown Chicago. First up was a visit to the home of the Chicago White Sox, Guaranteed Rate Field. After a tour and a photo op on the field, the group moved on to the Chicago Architecture Foundation for a river cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady. Following a delicious dinner at Pinstripes, the tour operators were treated to a spectacular performance of West Side Story at the Lyric Opera.

The group started their third and final day off right with a hearty breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Tinley Park. Next, it was back to the south side for a tour of the Method soap factory. Finally, the tour stopped at the historic Pullman National Monument, with a bonus visit to Greenstone Church. Potbelly catered lunch as a perfect way to end the FAM.

Thank you to all our partners who participated in or donated to our FAM. You truly made our guests feel at home in the Chicago Southland! “A very special thank you to Tobie and fellow staff members of the Chicago Southland CVB. The 2019 Spring FAM was a great experience discovering more about Chicagoland. You had your hands full for three days!! You did a great job! We look forward to working with you.” –Laura & Gary Block, Gary Block Tours Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau

National Tourism Day 2019 On Wednesday, May 15, the Chicago Southland CVB held its annual National Tourism Day. Guests from all over the Southland joined the CVB to celebrate the extraordinary impact tourism has on the region. Attendees were treated to food, drinks, music and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting Sertoma Centre in Alsip. Thank you to everyone who donated and came out to celebrate National Tourism Day 2019!

Be sure to check us out on social media! The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau wants to hear from you! Be sure to like, comment and share our posts and remember to use the hashtag #ChicagoSouthland when posting content of your own!

Chicago Southland @VisitSouthland @VisitSouthland ChicagoSouthlandCVB Chicago Southland 2 Convention & Visitors Bureau Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Southland Chicago

Gaming Update Two New For many years, the CVB has supported bringing gaming to the Employees Join CVB Chicago Southland. Thanks to new legislation, six gaming licenses, including one “racino,” have been awarded to Chicago, Danville, Rockford, Waukegan, Will County and the Chicago Southland. Several Margaret Pruzin Katie Arvia Director of Finance Communications townships within our region are being & Administration Manager considered for the licenses, including Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton and Worth. Upcoming Deadline All festivals and events forms need to be submitted by August 15 in order to be included in the Chicago Southland Festivals & This new industry will add thousands Events Fall/Winter Guide. The guide covers November-April. of jobs to our area and raise tax revenue for the state. We are excited You may submit your events online at: to see the multitude of other positive VisitChicagoSouthland.com/SubmitEvent effects that gaming will have on the Chicago Southland!

Save the Date for Our Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon You are invited to join the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau for our Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on October 2 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn & Conference Center. This year, we celebrate both individual accomplishments and those we have achieved together as One Chicago Southland.

Please join us in welcoming keynote speaker U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly and invited guest speaker Governor J.B. Pritzker. Keep an eye on your mail for the invitation! We are

Chicago Southland

3 ~ What’s Been Happening ~

CSCVB Grant Awards

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Village of Chicago Ridge Midwest Security & Police Conference/Expo – $5,000 RidgeFest 30th Anniversary – $5,000 Pictured here: Jim Garrett, Sally Schlesinger and Jerry Carter Pictured here: Jim Garrett, Barbara Harrison and Jamie Hollock

Midwestern Amputee Golf Association MWAGA All-Disability Open Golf Tournament – $1,980

Chicago Southwest April Food Day 2019 Hospitality Expo On July 11, CVB employees attended the Chicago Southwest Hospitality Expo at the Orland Park Civic Center. The expo featured many local restaurants, hotels, businesses and chambers. Over 500 people registered for the event. The expo was an Thank you to all those who donated to April Food Day excellent networking opportunity for those in attendance. 2019! Because of your tremendous support, we were able to collect and donate over 90,000 pounds of food. These generous donations benefited families living below the poverty line in the south and southwest suburban region of Chicago.

4 ~ What’s Been Happening ~ Hilton Chicago/Oak Hampton Inn & Suites Lawn & Conference Bridgeview Chicago Center Renovations Ribbon Cutting

On July 18, the Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgeview Chicago held On June 22, the Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn & Conference their official ribbon cutting ceremony. This beautiful new hotel Center held a reception to celebrate their recently features 109 rooms complete with Chicago-themed décor, a completed $8.5 million renovations. Tours of the newly refreshing pool, modern fitness center and a breakfast atrium. improved site were given, showing off the pristine guest The hotel is just steps away from SeatGeek Stadium, making rooms and conference areas. While hors d’oeuvres and it the perfect place to stay after a Chicago Fire soccer game cocktails were served in the lobby, guests were also treated or a concert! This Hampton Inn & Suites also features unique to samplings of different dinner options in the dining area. rooms with bunk beds, perfect for large families. A variety of Congratulations on the beautiful updates, Hilton Chicago/ other rooms are also available. The ribbon cutting featured a Oak Lawn & Conference Center! taco cart, a live DJ, a bar with many refreshment options and even goodie bags for guests.

Visitors Guide Ad Sales Deadline Approaching Are you interested in placing an ad in our 2020 Visitors Guide? The deadline is September 27! Each year, 120,000 copies of the guide are distributed to locations around the Chicago Southland, and beyond, including Midway and O’Hare airports; state information centers in Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan; hotels and Amtrak stations, reaching a myriad of new customers. Additionally, your ad in our digital guide will link directly to your website, giving readers easy, one-click access to your business. We offer a wide variety of ad sizes, fit for all budgets.

For more information regarding ad sales, please contact Kim Kislowski at [email protected] or at 708-895-8200. 5 ~ What’s Been Happening ~ Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau

Host. It. Here. CVB Welcomes Local Hero New Member

The CVB is proud to recognize Mayor Vernard Alsberry Jr. of Hazel Crest for his partnership and support of the CVB. Mayor Alsberry was instrumental in Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery bringing a 2019 conference to the Hilton 773-840-4642 Chicago/Oak Lawn & Conference Center 9030 South Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60620 worth over $27,000. Thank you, Mayor WildBlossomMeadery.com Alsberry! Anyone can be a local hero! Do For over 20 years, Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery has been Mayor Vernard Alsberry Jr. you belong to an organization that holds creating wine and mead on Chicago’s south side, using locally meetings or events? Provide contact information and we’ll produced ingredients. Wild Blossom was the first winery in work hard to “Host It Here!” Please contact the CVB sales Chicago and the only producer of mead on the Northern team at [email protected] or 708-895-8200. Wine Trail. Private events can be booked in their tasting room, while tours and classes are offered regularly.

Hospitality Hires Job Fair at Over 400 job seekers attended the Hospitality Hires event at Prairie State College on July 2. More than 30 employers were on-site to interview and hire attendees. Among those in attendance included Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who thanked the organizers and took a tour around the job fair. Employers such as Amtrak, Illinois Tollway, Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn & Conference Center and many others attended.

• 494 Total Interviews Conducted • 142 Second Interviews • 48 Conditional Offers

Photo by Kim Pedersen 6 Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention Southland Chicago ~ Looking Ahead ~

Recent & Upcoming Industry Trade Shows

SYTA Connect & Connect Sports Going On Faith S.P.O.R.T.S. Small Market Meetings August 9 - 13 August 26 - 28 September 4 - 6 September 9 - 12 September 24 - 26 Birmingham, AL Louisville, KY Grand Rapids, MI Panama Beach, FL Green Bay, WI

Smart Meetings Connect Marketplace Ontario Motor Coach TEAMS Religious Conference September 26 Faith & Independent Planners Association November 11 - 14 Management Association Chicago, IL October 28 - 30 November 3 - 5 Anaheim, CA November 19 - 20 Grand Rapids, MI Ottawa, Canada Northbrook, IL

Updated Brochures Now Available!

The Chicago Southland CVB is excited to announce updates to of our two brochures.

The Public Transportation Brochure now features more amenities than ever, with added new restaurants and train stops. This helpful guide lists all the fun things to do within an 11-minute walk of local train stops. The Railfan Brochure features locations and information that all rainfans will appreciate! Exciting locations include the historic Pullman National Monument, Dolton Junction and the Homewood Railroad Platform & Park. The guide even lists rail-themed restaurants, including Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, which is known for its award-winning, handcrafted beers.

Both brochures can be picked up in our office or requested online at VisitChicagoSouthland.com!

7 PRESORT STANDARD AUTO U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANSING, IL PERMIT NO. 170

2304 173rd Street Lansing, IL 60438 VisitChicagoSouthland.com

Welcome New Board Members! 2019 National Beard and Moustache Championships Coming to Tinley Park Come out to 350 Brewing Company’s Insanity Factory in David Niemeyer Tinley Park Tinley Park on November 8 and 9 for the 2019 National Beard and Moustache Championships! This competition celebrates distinctive facial hair of all kinds, featuring 25 categories, including Mike Fish “Brewers Beard” (for Brew Masters), Lansing Styled Handlebar Moustache, Natural Sideburns, a veterans category and even four ladies’ categories. Portions of the proceeds will go to three area charities: Oscar Mike, Together We Cope and PAWS David Cox Holiday Inn Chicago Matteson Tinley Park. For more information about this Conference Center event, please visit NationalBeardChampionships.com.