Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism

04/30/2024

Attention attendees! Don't forget to fill out the feedback survey that was sent to your email. Complete by May 8th and you'll be entered for a chance to win a complimentary registration for next year's in Peoria.

03/28/2024

Thank you to our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, panelists and ALL the attendees who brought so much passion to . We hope you left feeling inspired and energized about the future of Illinois travel and tourism.

Until next year....

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/23/2024

Thank you Discover Peoria for your hospitality and support of ! It was an incredible few days bringing together leaders in our industry to celebrate, educate and look ahead at what's next.

🔗 Read more here: https://bit.ly/3VBwh3I

Peoria Civic Center

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria is the host city for the 2024 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism. “For the first time in this conference’s history it’…

03/21/2024

The final day of is here! We look forward to concluding this year’s conference with an amazing mix of speakers, breakout sessions and the 2024 State of the State.

🔗 Check out the full agenda: https://bit.ly/3EYdjuf

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/20/2024

A few scenes from last night's Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards! Congratulations to all of the incredible winners. 🏆

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center Heritage Corridor Destinations Catie Keogh Great Rivers & Routes Ottawa Illinois Visitors Center Choose Chicago Enjoy Illinois

03/20/2024

Congratulations Roger Carmack, recipient of the Legacy of Leaders Tourism Award 2024.

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/20/2024

Congratulations George Manias, George's Shoeshine & Hatters - World Headquarters, recipient of the Legacy of Leaders Tourism Award 2024.

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/20/2024

is officially underway, kicking off with the Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards last night! 🍀 It was an evening to remember celebrating the best in tourism marketing and inspiring leaders in our industry. Congratulations to all of our winners!

We are kicking off a full day in Peoria! Click here for today’s full agenda: https://bit.ly/3x0tWVT

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/19/2024

is here! Get a head start on preparations by downloading your mobile program before you arrive.

🔗 Download here: https://bit.ly/3x8RXKo

03/18/2024

It’s almost here! Prep for all of the events ahead of March 19th.

🎒✔️ Here's your packing list:

🍀 Festive Irish attire for the awards dinner (business attire works too!)
👔 Business casual and comfy shoes for daytime sessions
👟 Casual wear for A Night on the Town (offsite event around Peoria)
👕 Destination Day attire
🛍️ Reusable tradeshow bag
🗃️ Business cards for networking (or digital card works too! Try Dot.com)

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/16/2024

The countdown is on. We can't wait to see you in for !

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/15/2024

We're thrilled to have Governor JB Pritzker and Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity(DCEO) joining us at .

The Governor will join us to give remarks on Wednesday at 11 am, and Director Richards will speak on Thursday at 9 am. There's still time to register! Don't miss out on what is sure to be a remarkable conference.

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/13/2024

Ready to unlock the power of in tourism? Janette Roush, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital, New York City Tourism + Conventions, joins us at to lead a timely session exploring practical AI applications that extend beyond content generation.

Whether you're a newcomer or seasoned pro, prepare to be motivated to establish your account and delve into prompt engineering post-session. And in case you're wondering, yes, this session description was written with the help of AI. 😉

🔗 Check out the full conference schedule: https://bit.ly/3EYdjuf

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/12/2024

is just one week away! 🎉 All conference attendees are invited to join us on Wednesday night for a special offsite event to discover downtown .

Jump on a coordinated route from the Peoria Riverfront Museum to the doors of downtown Peoria establishments. You'll be given an official passport for the circuit of stops, including Kelleher's Irish Pub, 8 Bit Arcade Bar, BlackBand Distillery (Illinois Made Maker), The Cigar Shack and the Peoria Hotel Pere Marquette. Complete the stops for your chance to win a gift package valued at over $200!

Each location will include a complimentary beverage with the option for more food and drink at each stop. No need to drive as our shuttle system will be looping to and from the Pere Marquette and Courtyard Marriott hotels throughout the night.

🔗 Learn more and register now (if you haven't already): https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Thank you to MMGY Global for sponsoring this fantastic event! 👏

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/09/2024

Matt Hansen, Director of Business Development, Expedia Group, is set to lead a breakout session at focused on the traveler journey and its evolution as it relates to inspiration, research, planning and booking.

Matt has more than 15 years of online travel agency and digital media experience ranging from sales management to strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Expedia in 2015, Matt served as senior sales director of Midwest and Northeast Hotels for Travelzoo. He also spent nearly six years at Perfect Escapes Network and was also a regional vice president at Intagio Media Services in Chicago. He has extensive experience collaborating with destination marketing organizations and convention and visitor bureaus, including Enjoy Illinois and Choose Chicago, and travel brands such as Crystal Cruises, Hyatt, Hilton and Wyndham Hotels.

🔗 Check out the full schedule for this year's here: https://bit.ly/3EYdjuf

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/08/2024

Ready to make the most of your time in Discover Peoria? Check out this round-up of things to see and do around town during !

🔗 Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3PeCNcK

Peoria Civic Center

03/07/2024

With the rise of AI top of mind for many, it's critical to understand the implications of new technology on the travel and tourism industry. Greg Oates, SVP of Innovation, MMGY NextFactor, and AJ Kinney, Director of Partnerships, Matador Network, will explore practical strategies for harnessing AI technologies to personalize customer experiences, optimize operations, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market landscape. During this breakout session, attendees can expect to gain invaluable insights on navigating the complexities and maximizing the potential of AI to propel your destination or business to new heights.

🔗 Don't miss this year's - register today: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/05/2024

We're thrilled to welcome Daniel Levine to ! One of the world's best-known trends experts, he'll be leading a general session focused on trends and how they are changing the way we work, play and travel.

Named "the ultimate guru of cool" by CNN, Daniel is the author of over 20 best-selling books and a frequent guest on international television and radio. He is the director of the Avant-Guide Institute, a New York-based trends consultancy where he is the leader of a huge team of trendspotters who track the latest ideas and experiences from around the globe.

🔗 Check out the full schedule and register now: https://bit.ly/3EYdjuf

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

03/01/2024

The schedule for is action packed with prestigious speakers leading sessions on insightful and timely topics. Plus, we are gearing up for an exciting (to be announced!) off-site event and the return of Destination Day, a beloved tradition where we encourage everyone to wear something that shows off your destination or region.

🔗 Learn more and register now: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/27/2024

Calling Sponsors and Tradeshow Exhibitors❗ Now is your chance to be front and center at ! Our sponsors and tradeshow exhibitors not only help provide the momentum to make the conference better than ever, but they also have the chance to grab the attention of the tourism industry and be recognized as industry leaders by their peers.

🔗 Explore sponsorship levels and see how you can be a part of the tradeshow: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/23/2024

We are thrilled to welcome Alex Stewart, Jenny LeFlore and Teddy Heidt to for Social Savvy 101: How To Take Control of Your Social Media Strategy.

During this engaging breakout session, attendees will learn the ins-and-outs of leveraging social media platforms to make an impact and drive results. Featuring Chicago's top influencers and Enjoy Illinois' Social Media Manager, the panel will deliver insight and tangible tips and actions to make the most of your digital presence.

🔗 Have you registered yet? Learn more: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/19/2024

Tourism and hospitality professionals from across Illinois and around the country will come together in March 19th-21st to learn, get inspired, collaborate, and celebrate success in a $78 billion industry and discover what’s ahead for Illinois tourism. Have you registered for yet?

🔗 Check out the full roster of events and register here: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/16/2024

is set to be an incredible few days of networking and learning! Familiarize yourself with the upcoming schedule of events, including keynote speakers and breakout sessions spanning AI, Social Media Marketing and more.

🔗 Check out the schedule here: https://bit.ly/3EYdjuf

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/15/2024

Calling all Sponsors and Tradeshow Exhibitors! Now is your chance to be front and center at .

Our sponsors and trade show exhibitors not only help provide the momentum to make the conference better than ever, but they also have the chance to grab the attention of the tourism industry and be recognized as industry leaders by their peers.

There are five levels of sponsorship – explore them here and see how you can be a part of the trade show: https://bit.ly/3OBQF0E

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/13/2024

The Illinois Office of Tourism is excited to announce a brand new partnership with Tourism Exchange USA, a B2B one-stop digital marketplace where suppliers (accommodations, tours, attractions) can manage live availability, pricing and bookings across multiple distribution channels.

The Tourism Exchange platform digitizes and democratizes the product development and distribution landscape, allowing attractions, experiences and accommodations of all sizes to connect their live product inventory to global OTAs and tour operators. There are no upfront fees and no risks for suppliers. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3SVvrgJ

The platform aims to help:

🔹 Increase product visibility
🔹 Drive visitation
🔹 Support sales growth
🔹 Boost profitability

02/12/2024

Happy 215th Birthday, Abe! 🎩

In honor of Lincoln's 215th birthday, discover the rich history of Springfield, from Abe’s house and law offices to his must-see presidential museum. ⁣
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🔗 Plan your trip to the Land of Lincoln: ⁣https://bit.ly/3TWQ0H2
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Visit Springfield

02/10/2024

For those attending , hotel rooms are selling FAST! There are two hotel options for you to choose from, both in a prime downtown location with easy access to the Peoria Civic Center, where all the action will take place.

Courtyard Peoria Downtown: $169/night
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette: SOLD OUT!

Hotel Block Dates:
Monday, March 18 – Thursday, March 21

Deadline to book:
Friday, March 1

🔗 Explore the hotels and take advantage of our group rates: https://bit.ly/3Scdb0K

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/09/2024

The clock is ticking! Today is the LAST DAY for entries into the 2024 Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards (submissions close at 5PM). There will be no further extensions so don't wait until the last minute to get your entries in!

🔗 Explore the categories and submit your work today: https://bit.ly/41VYYcS

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center Governor JB Pritzker

02/08/2024

Nate Huff, President of , a Miles Partnership company, joins us at for an exciting breakout session showcasing the Exchange and how destinations and businesses can participate. Nate has spent the last 19 years working with destinations and travel partners to craft brands and develop digital marketing strategies that generate exceptional results. He has extensive experience working with clients like Brand USA, San Francisco Travel, Discover Puerto Rico, and Visit California. He is currently heading up Tourism Exchange USA, a global product development and distribution platform for DMOs and travel businesses that is being launched in collaboration with Brand USA.

🔗 Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center

02/02/2024

Calling Sponsors + Tradeshow Exhibitors! Now is your chance to be front and center at . Sponsors and tradeshow exhibitors not only help provide the momentum to make the conference better than ever, but they have the chance to grab the attention of the tourism industry and be recognized as industry leaders by their peers.

There are five levels of sponsorship – explore them here and see how you can be a part of the tradeshow: https://bit.ly/3tEvSlP

Discover Peoria Peoria Civic Center