If you have comments or questions regarding the content of this e-newsletter or suggestions for future editions, please email Gina Speckman, Executive Director of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitor's Bureau at gspeckman@cnscvb.com.
New this year, the CNSCVB has planned a full calendar of networking opportunities exclusively for Bureau partners. Based on partner input, we've arranged for these monthly gatherings to take place during different times of the day to accommodate varying schedules. Our first event, a Business Exchange Breakfast, takes place later this month on Thursday, February 24th from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the CNSCVB office (Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard - Arcade Level - South Side of Marshall Field's). If you would like to attend, please email DeAnna Hogan at dhogan@cnscvb.com.
Be sure to save these dates for upcoming CNSCVB Networking Events! (locations to be announced)
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Cook County President John Stroger, as part of the 2005 Cook Country Budget, has proposed a 2% increase on meals that are provided by hotels and restaurants. Because the Bureau vigorously opposes these tax increases, Gina Speckman, CNSCVB Executive Director, testified at the Cook County Board Meeting which was held at the Skokie Courthouse on January 12th. Also supporting opposition to the tax increase is Cook County Board Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston), whose website offers further information about the 2005 Cook County Budget.
If you have not voiced your opinion to the Cook Country Board, we encourage you to do so. Click here. The Cook County Board of Commissioners will be voting on the budget Feb. 23rd and your opinion matters. The CNSCVB firmly believes that these proposed tax increases are unnecessary and will be damaging to the North Shore's hospitality industry. Your support is needed!
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Chicago was chosen to host this year's ABA Marketplace, and the CNSCVB took full advantage of opportunities to promote Chicago's North Shore as a premier visitor destination. The Bureau's Sales Manager, DeAnna Hogan (who focuses on the group tour market) attended ABA and scheduled nearly 40 one-on-one appointments with motor coach tour operators. These face-to-face meetings are the core of Markeplace and DeAnna was very successful in selling our beautiful region and all its amenities.
Gina Speckman, the Bureau's Executive Director, also took an active role at ABA Marketplace by working the Host Desk of this very important meeting. She was instrumental in securing brochure sponsorship for the CNSCVB, which allowed the Bureau's Visitors Guides and other sales collateral materials to be distributed to all 3,000 attendees…another wonderful way to target these key decision makers and let them see just how spectacular the North Shore of Chicago really is!
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A top priority for the CNSCVB throughout 2005 is finding ways to continue expanding the Group Tour Market business. At the end of February, Chicago's North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau will do just that by exhibiting at Heartland Travel Showcase in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This event is the Midwest's premier motor coach trade show, and for the past 20 years, it has been bringing together tour operators from around the country to learn more about the Midwest and its abundance of attractions. This show is sure to generate many qualified leads for our Bureau, while allowing us a tremendous opportunity to showcase our region.
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Rotary International will be celebrating its 100 Year Anniversary this summer during its Annual Convention, which runs from June 18 through 22 at McCormick Place. What makes this especially exciting is that a variety of tours have been planned to the North Shore, and specifically to Evanston, so delegates can visit Rotary International's Headquarters. Be sure to welcome these delegates when you see them!
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This past December, the hotel partners of the CNSCVB once again offered complimentary room nights to the families of patients who were confined to hospital beds during the holidays. This promotion was an astounding success as it helped to bring families together during one of the most joyous times of the year.
We'd like to thank the following hotels for their kind generosity: Best Western University Plaza, Comfort Inn/Skokie North Shore, Doubletree North Shore Hotel, Hampton Inn Suites Chicago North Shore, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn North Shore, The Homestead, Hotel Orrington, Margarita European Inn, and the Renaissance Chicago North Shore. Dozens of families participated in this year's holiday promotion.
Thank you to our hospital partners (Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, St. Francis Hospital of Evanston and Rush North Shore Medical Center in Skokie) for helping us spread the word.
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As part of Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard's continued commitment to the community, they have partnered with the National MS Society to raise funds through the Band of Hope campaign. Red "Hope" bands (similar to the Lance Armstrong yellow "Live Strong" bands) are available for $1 each at the Shopping Concierge Center in the food court. This promotion continues through March 31st. Your support is appreciated.
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The Hotel Orrington hosted a fundraiser on Friday, January 14 to benefit the victims of the Tsunami tragedy. Many CNSCVB partners attended the $20 event, which took place at the hotel's Indigo Bar and Lounge, and included food, beverages, live entertainment and a silent auction. All proceeds were sent to the Red Cross for relief efforts taking place in those areas that were hardest hit. The Hotel Orrington is grateful to the North Shore hospitality community for their support.
FYI: The Hotel Orrington's new 12,000 square foot rooftop Conference Center opened on February 1st complete with state-of-the meeting rooms and numerous other amenities. To learn more, log on to www.hotelorrington.com. It's truly spectacular and will certainly be a strong selling point for the CNSCVB sales team to bring even more business groups to Chicago's North Shore.
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