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The CNSCVB is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Williams as the Bureau's new Sales Manager. Jennifer replaces DeAnna Hogan, who moved back to Phoenix, Arizona last month. In her new position, Jennifer will be spearheading the Bureau's Preferred Partnership program and selling and servicing the group travel market. She comes to the Bureau with hospitality experience. Her most recent position was Catering Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston. Prior to that, she worked for four years in sales for the Anita Dee Yacht Charters at Navy Pier. Please feel free to contact Jennifer at 847-763-0011 Ext. 22 or email her at jwilliams@cnscvb.com.
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Join us at our next Networking Breakfast at the Best Western University Plaza, 1501 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, on Thursday, May 19th 8:00-9:30am. Meet your fellow CNSCVB Preferred Partners and our new Sales Manager, Jennifer Williams. RSVP by email or call Jennifer at 847-763-0011 ext. 22.
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Last month, the CSNCVB exhibited at Affordable Meetings, which took place at Navy Pier April 6-7. This tradeshow targets regional, cost-conscious meeting planners. Attendees are full-time, part-time and volunteer meeting planners from organizations of all markets: association, corporate, government, military, religious, reunions, incentive, social, ethnic, educational and special event planners. Kimberly Wright, the Bureau's Director of Sales represented the Bureau where over 200 meeting planners visited her at the CNSCVB booth. She also received 20+ qualified sales leads and several requests for proposals. Representatives from the Hotel Orrington, the North Shore Skokie Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, and the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel exhibited along with the CNSCVB.
The Bureau also participated in the ICCVB (Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus) "Meet in Illinois" meeting planner reception on the Spirit of Chicago, which took place on the first night of the Affordable Meetings tradeshow. It was a wonderful event for networking with over 200 meeting planners in attendance.
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On April 26, the CNSCVB exhibited at the 4th Annual Concierge Preferred Convention & Tradeshow, which is sponsored by Concierge Preferred Magazine, the Chicago Hotel Concierge Association and the National Concierge Association - Chicago Chapter. Jennifer Williams, the Bureau's recently appointed Sales Manager, welcomed concierges to the booth and took the opportunity to inform them about the North Shore's wonderful array of tourist attractions and activities. The purpose for exhibiting was to meet concierges and encourage them to recommend Chicago's North Shore as an ideal "day-trip" excursion for those visiting downtown Chicago and collect their contact information to keep them up-to-date on North Shore activities.
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Gina Speckman, CNSCVB's Executive Director, attended the 18th Annual Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism, which took place at the Hilton Chicago March 29-31. During the meeting, Jan Kostner (Deputy Director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism) reported a variety of stats and figures including the fact that collections from Illinois' hotel/motel tax was up 17% in December alone, and was up 4.34% in calendar year 2004.
Other interesting facts at the conference included:
- In 2005, there is projected to be a 5.3% increase in international and domestic travel spending, which could account for a $624 billion boost to the state's economy!
- Illinois is only a one-day's drive for 1/3 of the nation.
- A weak U.S. dollar equals increased opportunity for the international traveler to visit America.
- Access to travel information must be electronic, 24-hours a day.
- Consumers now expect interactive vacation information.
- Museums have to be interactive, not static, to stay competitive and encourage visitors.
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If you are looking for the freshest produce, flowers, bread and more, please take note of the following North Shore Farmer's Markets:
Evanston Farmer's Market
May 21 through November 5
Saturdays from 7:30 am-1 pm
University Street and Oak Avenue
847.866.2936
Skokie Farmer's Market
June 26 through October 30
Sundays from 7:30 am-12:45 pm
Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street
847.673.0500
Wilmette French Market
April 30 through October 29
Saturdays from 8 am-2 pm
Metra Station, East of Green Bay Road at Central Avenue
630-784-0862
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You won't want to miss the 15th Annual Skokie Festival of Cultures, where you'll experience the authentic sights, tastes and sounds of cultures throughout the world including Armenian, Assyrian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Cuban, Danish, Filipino, Finnish, Hellenic, Indian, Israeli, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Mexican, Pakistani, Scottish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, West Indian, and more! Ethnic food, live entertainment, children's activities, a merchandise bazaar and arts & crafts activities will be featured throughout the weekend.
The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22 at Oakton Park in Skokie. For more information, call 847-674-1500 x 2180 or visit www.skokieculturefest.org.
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The Piven Theatre, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, in Evanston proudly presents Charles Dickens' Great Expectations!, which will run from May 13-June 26. In this classic and haunting work by Dickens, the orphaned Pip embarks on a life of adversity and adventure as he discovers the true nature of his 'great expectations.' For more information or to order tickets, call 847-866-8049. To learn more visit www.piventheatre.org.
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North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie presents a wonderfully entertaining month of May. Be sure to mark those calendars! Centre East presents the River North Dance Company on May 14 and the Glen Miller Orchestra on May 21. The Northlight Theatre presents "It Ain't Nothing But the Blues" from May 11-June 19 and the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra performs "A Chorus of Delights" on May 15. For ticket information, call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northshorecenter.org.
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Northbrook's beloved Velodrome has undergone a major facelift. After seasons of rigorous use by cyclists, harsh weather conditions and structural damage, the Velodrome will soon unveil its new and improved restoration with a Re-Grand Opening celebration. The public is invited to attend the festivities, which take place on Thursday evening, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. A variety of activities have been planned including a ribbon cutting, refreshments, a Hall of Fame induction, racing events, special giveaways, and more! The Velodrome, one of only nineteen official cycling venues in the United States, is located in Meadowhill Park at 1500 Maple Avenue in Northbrook. For more information, call 847-291-2960 x186 or visit www.nbparks.org.
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Forty of Chicago's top and most notable chefs will prepare their favorite dishes during the Chicago Botanic Garden's Great Chef Series. Demonstrations will take place in the newly-renovated Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden Demonstration Kitchen at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from May 28 through October 9. The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden is the Midwest's headquarters for fruit and vegetable gardening information, exhibiting the best edible plants to grow in the Chicago area. The open-air kitchen and amphitheatre is the perfect setting for chefs to create their finest garden recipes.
The Great Chef Series is sponsored by Suburu. Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Great Chef Series is free. Parking is $12. For more information, call 847-835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.
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Coming in early June, the 47th Brandeis Used Book Sale will once again bring over 400,000 books to its white tents at Westfield Old Orchard June 4-10. Over 30,000 people visit this booksale annually making it one of the North Shore's major events.
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Jennifer Williams Named CNSCVB Sales Manager
CNSCVB Networking Breakfast
Affordable Meetings Trade Show Proves Successful for CNSCVB
CNSCVB Exhibits at Concierge Preferred Convention
Illinois Governor's Conference Puts Spotlight On Tourism
North Shore Farmer's Markets - A Sure Sign of Spring
Skokie Gears Up For 15th Annual Festival of Cultures
Piven Theatre Presents Great Expectations
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts - That's Entertainment!
Northbrook's Velodrome Prepares for Re-Grand Opening Event
Chicago Botanic Garden Announces Great Chef Series
Brandeis Used Book Sale returns to Westfield Old Orchard
In future editions of this monthly newsletter, area events and festivals will appear. Make sure to send your happenings and photos as well as any news we can use to keep our North Shore community informed. Send your submissions to gspeckman@cnscvb.com.
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