Sponsor: Illinois Restaurant Association
Looking to spend some media budget? Why not snag some incredible media at an incredible price with our third annual ILGOV Media Market? Get your dollars ready!
Kick off the conference early with a special reception for all first-time attendees! You'll have the opportunity, along with participating mentors, to network with the Illinois Office of Tourism in addition to tourism professionals and other industry leaders from across the state.
Location: Lakeview Terrace
Prepare for the Awards Dinner as you mingle, greet and network with your fellow travel and tourism industry peers.
Sponsor: World Wide Technology Raceway
Location: Lakeview Terrace
Join us in the Aon Grand Ballroom over dinner and drinks and marvel at the greatest and most innovative tourism marketing initiatives throughout the state during an awards show honoring some of Illinois tourism’s biggest advocates.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Sponsor: Spurrier Group
Sponsor: Illinois Restaurant Association
A variety of companies come together to showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services.
Location: Lakeview Terrace
Looking to spend some media budget? Why not snag some incredible media at an incredible price with our third annual ILGOV Media Market? Get your dollars ready!
Join your fellow attendees for breakfast — the setting for many of the day's travel insights.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Coffee Talk | Chris Thompson, President and CEO, Brand USA
Grab a coffee and join us for this Tuesday morning kickoff discussion with Chris Thompson, President and CEO of Brand USA, for an insightful look at what is happening in national and international travel now and what to expect in the future.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Keynote Speaker | Eric Termuende | Life-long entrepreneur and best-selling author
The pandemic shutdown changed the way we work and continues to make filling jobs a struggle. In this lively presentation, Eric Termuende shows how to turn the great resignation into the great reconfiguration. The truth is that the opportunity has never been greater to establish a one-of-a-kind culture that attracts and keeps an incredible team. After all, people aren’t leaving the workforce, they’re aligning with a lifestyle that suits them. This is where the secret to building great teams lies.
In this head-scratching, insight-filled, and unexpectedly funny keynote, workplace culture and future of work expert Eric Termuende takes us on a journey filled with out-of-the-box ideas that are budget-free and immediately actionable as we work to not just survive ‘The Great Resignation’ but thrive through it. Just because there is a national talent shortage, doesn’t mean your team has to have one too.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Speaker #1: Kristie Campbell, Firefly Grill
Speaker #2: Kathy Casstevens, Starved Rock (pictured left)
What does sustainable travel mean?
According to Expedia Group Media Solutions’ Sustainable Travel Study, 90 percent of consumers look for sustainable options when traveling. But what does sustainability mean to them? The study showed that 69 percent see sustainable travel as “lessening environmental impacts” while 66 percent see it as “supporting local economies.” We’ll hear about both perspectives in this rapid-paced PechaKucha.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Sponsor: TimeZoneOne
Guests will be given time to recharge, regroup and proceed to the next session on the schedule. The exhibitor hall will also be open at this time.
Location: Lakeview Terrace
Sponsor: AAA Living
Breakout Sessions (subject to change):
Winning the Sports Tourism Game
![]() Michelle Lupo |
![]() Curtis Francois |
![]() John Groh |
![]() Kara Bachman |
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Speakers: Michelle Lupo, Business Development Manager - Sports Division, Northstar Meetings Group | Kara Bachman, Chicago Sports Commission | Curtis Francois, Owner & CEO, World Wide Technology Raceway | John Groh, President & CEO, Rockford Area CVB
Sports tourism is back and stronger than ever. But you've got to get in the game to win. Find out what it takes for your destination to attract sporting events and tournaments in 2023 in a competitive market.
Location: Room 201
Sponsor: Northstar Meetings Group
The Perfect Pitch: Working With Freelancers to Tell Your Story
![]() Amy Carr |
![]() Lori Rackl |
![]() Danielle Braff |
![]() Elaine Glusac |
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Speakers: Amy Carr, General Manager, USA, and Chief Storyteller for TimeZoneOne; Lori Rackl, Freelance Journalist; Danielle Braff, Freelance Journalist; Elaine Glusac, Freelance Journalist
When it comes to writing about travel and tourism, freelancers make up the majority of writers these days. Learn how to pitch freelancers and play by their rules to get your pitch noticed and secure an earned placement in top outlets like Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, TripSavvy or Chicago Tribune.
Location: Room 203
Reimagining Your Destination
![]() Dave Herrell |
![]() Dr. Sharon Suiwen Zou |
![]() Chad Pregracke |
![]() JD Lorton |
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Speakers: Dave Herrell, President & CEO, Visit Quad Cities | Dr. Sharon Suiwen Zou, Assistant Professor, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Chad Pregracke, Founder & President, Living Lands & Waters and Bison Bridge Foundation | JD Lorton, Director of Operations, Aerie's Resort
How do you take what your destination already has, reimagine it and turn it into a unique and long-lasting attraction? Destination development has many different faces but it all boils down to economic development, growth and sustainability. In this session you'll learn different ways destinations have injected new life into their community from saving historical structures to strategies for rural communities.
Location: Room 205
Settle in for a lunch break in the Grand Ballroom before we continue our day of tourism education!
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Breakout Sessions (subject to change):
OMG! Did You See That video?
![]() Teddy Heidt |
![]() Alice Goode |
![]() Flo Lawnicki |
![]() Courtney Viverette |
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Speakers: Teddy Heidt, Founder & CEO, The Gauge Collective | Alice Goode, Product Marketing Manager, Crowdriff | Flo Lawnicki, Content Creator and Social Media Strategist | Courtney Viverette, Digital Strategist, Spurrier Group
How many times have you seen a video on social media and found yourself going down a rabbit hole watching dozens of others? You're not alone. In today's world of social media, short form video is king. Learn practical tools and tips for creating effective Reels, TikToks and stories to boost your social following and engagement and why it's so important to your social strategy.
Location: Room 201
Access Granted: How to Ensure Your Destination is Accessible to All
![]() Craig Compagnone |
![]() Eric Lipp |
![]() William Maas |
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Speakers: Craig Compagnone, COO, MMGY Global | Eric Lipp, Founder, Open Doors | William Maas, Team Lead, Field Museum
Our panel of experts will help you navigate the many needs in accessibility from headphones to special performances of theatre productions to wheelchair-accessible hotels and attractions. You will learn key insights from a recent accessibility and mobility study conducted by MMGY Travel Intelligence including travel booking behaviors of travelers with mobility impairment.
Location: Room 203
The Future of DE&I
![]() Seema Jain |
![]() Anui Marwaha |
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Speakers: Seema Jain, Founder & CEO, Seva Global | Laritza Lopez, President, The Purple Group | Anuj Marwaha, Director of Sales & Marketing, Renaissance Chicago Hotel
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - three words that carry enormous weight in today's world. Join this interactive panel to gain key insights and learnings from DEI leaders and visionaries in the travel and tourism industry and learn how to increase your 'cultural competency' and ensure your brand is following best practices.
Location: Room 205
Guests will be given time to recharge, regroup and proceed to the next session on the schedule. The exhibitor hall will also be open at this time.
Location: Lakeview Terrace
Sponsor: ADARA
Keynote Speaker | Tyronne Stoudemire | SVP of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion globally requires a commitment at all levels to create an open and welcoming environment where people can bring their whole selves to work each day – so they can be their best and better care for others. In this timely keynote, Tyronne Stoudemire, SVP of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, explains how this mindset can power your ability to outperform the competition.
In June 2020, Hyatt announced its Change Starts Here commitments focusing on three key areas: Who the company employs, develops and advances; Who it supports; and Who it buys from and partners with. Tyronne will share why and how Hyatt is prioritizing these areas to drive meaningful change for our workforce, industry, and communities – and further support its vision for a world of understanding and care.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Speaker #1: Samantha Krause, Skydeck
Speaker #2: Nick Nagele, Whiskey Acres (pictured left)
What do travelers want: “iconic” or lesser-known “authentic” experiences?
Do travelers want to fill their visits with trips to “bucket list” institutional tourist attractions, or are they looking for unique independent experiences they can’t find at home? Maybe they can have both. In this PechaKucha, we’ll hear from voices on both sides of the coin about why they matter and what they are doing to attract today’s (and tomorrow’s) travelers.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Sponsor: TimeZoneOne
Close the day by mingling with exhibitors and industry peers you connected with earlier in the day, over appetizers and cocktails at the closing Trade Show Reception.
Location: Lakeview Terrace
Sponsor: Crowdriff
Get ready to dine, drink and enjoy the magic of the city’s downtown nightlife — and even attend a special Broadway In Chicago experience.
After networking at the Last Call Exhibitor Trade Show Reception, attendees will have an opportunity to embark on a Chicago dine-around with colleagues and industry peers.
A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS
7:30PM at CIBC Theatre
The world’s greatest entertainers unite for a spellbinding and incredible holiday production – A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS! Experience the enchantment of Christmas as Magical Hostess Lucy Darling takes you through an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
7:30PM at Nederlander Theatre
Winner of 6 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.
Today is Destination Day! Join us in celebrating the final day of the conference by teaming up with your co-workers and representing your organization with your attire. This can include your logo, your colors — or simply a creative expression of who you are. Not only is this a conversation starter, it's a great opportunity to represent your destination in a fun way on the last day of the conference.
Sponsor: Illinois Restaurant Association
Looking to spend some media budget? Why not snag some incredible media at an incredible price with our third annual ILGOV Media Market? Get your dollars ready!
Join your fellow attendees for breakfast — setting the stage for the day's travel insights.
Keynote Speaker | Shaina Zafar | Gen Z’er and Chief Marketing Officer
Gen Z is on the move. According to a recent survey, 77 percent of GenZers are planning or thinking about splurging on a huge getaway trip in 2022. They are ready. Are you? An insider look at Gen Z, their lifestyles, their travel goals and what makes them tick.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Do travelers want to be inside or outside?
Speaker #1: Christina Shutt, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Speaker #2: Kristin DiCenso, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (pictured left)
COVID has changed the way people think about destinations. In this general session thought-starter, two speakers will be given 20 slides (with 20 seconds per slide) to make their case for where tourists want to be now, where they'll want to be in the near future, and what each option has to offer, regardless of the season.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom
Sponsor: TimeZoneOne
Breakout Sessions (subject to change):
The Buzz about Gen X, Y, Z
![]() Tiffany Aubry |
![]() Shaina Zafar |
![]() Kevin Lilly |
![]() Christie Bierlein |
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Speakers: Tiffany Aubry, President, Aubry Research | Shania Zafar, CMO, JUV Consulting | Kevin Lilly, Head of Strategy, OKRP | Christie Bierlein, Director, Travel and Tourism - Epsilon
During this session we will break down the misperceptions vs. reality of our generational differences. Hear from tourism leaders representing Gen X, Y and Z about the dos and don'ts of making sure your brand gets noticed and not ignored.
Location: Room 201
Sponsor: Aubry Research
Willkommen, Bienvenue, Bienvenidos...Welcoming Back Global Travelers
![]() Mary Twomey |
![]() Nadine Skopp |
![]() Linda Dixey |
![]() Kathy Formosa |
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Speakers: Mary Twomey, SVP Global Trade Development, TimeZoneOne | Nadine Skopp, Account Director, Lieb Management | Linda Dixey, Trade, Sales & Marketing, GoshPR | Kathy Formosa, Senior Contracting Manager North America, Webbeds.com
International travel to the U.S. is finally making its big comeback. Hear insights from leading international agencies on how consumer travel behaviors have changed during the COVID pandemic and what global tourists want to do & see most when visiting the US/Chicago/Illinois.
Location: Room 203
Navigating the Paid Media Landscape
![]() Donna Spurrier |
![]() Sam Lauer |
![]() Matt Hansen |
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Speakers: Donna Spurrier, CEO, Spurrier Group | Sam Lauer, Director of Customer Success, Adara | Matt Hansen, Director of Business Development, Expedia
In this educational session, you'll learn how to understand and navigate the world of paid media with a focus on achieving the best ROI. Whether you're looking to run a local campaign, want to efficiently spend grant dollars or need help setting up KPIs to demonstrate performance, this is a not-to-be-missed session.
Location: Room 205
Sponsor: Expedia Media Solutions
![]() Sylvia Garcia |
![]() Emanuel “Chris” Welch |
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Keynote Speaker: Sylvia Garcia, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Opening Speaker: Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
This annual address will be taking a fresh look back at the marketing and advertising strategies that contributed to an amazing year for Illinois tourism. We will share our vision for the industry and offer a sneak preview of the exciting new initiatives and programs sure to make 2023 another great year.
Location: Aon Grand Ballroom