During last month's 20th Annual Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism, the CNSCVB was proud to receive the Peer Award for its new publication, the Destination Planning Guide. "Receiving the Peer Award is quite an honor," said Gina Speckman, executive director of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau (pictured right with Jan Kostner, Deputy Director, Illinois Bureau of Tourism and Grant DePorter, Chairman, Illinois Tourism Alliance). "It's the only award that encompasses all marketing categories, such as advertising campaigns, publications, website design, and promotional pieces," she says. "It's also the only award that is based on the vote of all of the attendees for the best of the entire conference. We are extremely proud of our new guide and the recognition it received." If you have not received a copy of the guide, please contact Jennifer Williams at jwilliams@cnscvb.com.
Back to top
"Greetings from Wilmette," a fabulous collection of local photographs by Ron Testa, and "All Aboard, Wilmette!" a nostalgic exploration of the role of rail travel in shaping the history of the village and the North Shore open in early March at the Wilmette Historical Museum. The museum will also sponsor the latest installment of its popular "Then and Now" series on Thursday, March 15, 2007, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This afternoon talk features an eye-opening look at Wilmette's historic downtown business district. Free to members, $5 for non-members. For more information, call 847-853-7666 or visit www.wilmettehistory.org.
Back to top
All CNSCVB partners are invited to attend this month's networking event, which takes place on Thursday morning, March 15 at the Evanston Historical Society (located in the "chateauesque" mansion of former U.S. vice president Charles Gates Dawes). The breakfast gathering, which runs from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., is a wonderful way for partners to meet one another, share ideas and learn more about the visitor-boosting efforts of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. The networking event is open to all CNSCVB partners and there is no charge to attend, but you must RSVP by Friday, March 9 to Jennifer Williams (CNSCVB Sales Manager) at 847-763-0011 x 22 or e-mail her at jwilliams@cnscvb.com. We look forward to seeing you!
Back to top
In an effort to stimulate and sustain the vitality of the arts throughout Skokie and the North Shore, IMODS (Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie) has put together a fun series of luncheons called Salon D'Arte. Each event features the cuisine of a local restaurant and an informative talk and discussion led by a member of the local arts community. The first Salon D'Arte takes place at Tub Tim Thai restaurant in Skokie on Saturday, March 17 and features a presentation by Mr. Louis Schutz (owner of Prestige Art Gallery in Skokie). Mr. Schutz will be discussing and answering questions with regard to "How to Buy Art." Tickets for the luncheon and discussion are $30. For more information and to reserve a seat, please call 847-675-8424 or visit www.tubtimthai.com.
Back to top
 Northlight Theatre is thrilled to present The House Theatre of Chicago's production of The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz (through March 11). Called "the latest of the city's generation-defining ensembles" by the Chicago Sun-Times and the "next big thing" by the Chicago Tribune, The House Theatre of Chicago is at its best with this bold take on the classic novel and film. Though filled with familiar characters and quandaries, this wildly entertaining piece is infused with a cache of surprises that turn the show into a rich, lively and sometimes dark fairy tale.
Also this month, Northlight Theatre's production of She Stoops to Conquer begins March 21 and offers a unique take on this popular comedy bringing laughter to the forefront with an irreverent look at the intricacies of love. When a well to do rural family with a pair of eligible young women in the house is visited by two young suitors from London, a combination of mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and misbehavior turns the situation upside down. For more information and tickets for either show, please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northshorecenter.org.
Back to top
Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau have joined forces to offer their partners a very special rate for the upcoming "Disney Keys to Excellence" seminar. The seminar, which promises an incredible day of learning, insight and inspiration, provides a rare opportunity to take an inside look at Disney's successful practices and unique philosophies. This popular, day-long workshop is designed specifically for business owners wishing to improve customer service and hospitality, and provides innovative business-building strategies that can be easily implemented in their own organizations. A special rate of $299 per person is being offered to CNSCVB partners. Seating is limited and the special offer is only valid through March 15. For more information or to reserve your space, please call 708-974-5735 or visit www.morainevalley.edu/wdcs. Be sure to mention the special $299 CNSCVB rate.
Back to top
After spending 30 years attached to Kendall College, Evanston's Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is now an independent, not-for-profit entity. According to a recent story published by the Chicago Tribune, the idea to become independent has been in the works since 2003, when Kendall College announced its intention to move to Chicago. "We're really part of the Evanston community, so we wanted to stay here," said Janice Klein, the museum's director. "We're hoping to expand and create additional exhibition space." Opened in 1977, the museum features 10,000 pieces of Native American art and crafts from tribes across North America. The museum has 300 members and welcomes 10,000 visitors annually. To learn more, please call 847-475-1030 or visit www.mitchellmuseum.org.
Back to top
Caryn Shulman, Tourism Marketing Manager for the CNSCVB, recently attended and exhibited at two trade shows, which targeted the very important (and lucrative!) group travel market. The first, American Bus Association Marketplace, is considered THE place to network and offered pre-scheduled appointments where motor coach operators specifically interested in planning future Chicagoland trips met with Caryn to obtain information about the attractions and amenities of the North Shore. The second trade show, the 12th Annual Bank Travel Conference, provided Caryn with an opportunity to meet a very influential group of people...the principals within the country's top financial institutions who choose destinations for their bank's growing travel clubs. Both events generated numerous leads and potential new business for Chicago's North Shore.
Back to top
The Flowering Amazon features 30 watercolors by renowned botanical artist Margaret Mee, who grew up in the English countryside and traveled widely in South America. The exhibit includes field sketches and diaries, as well as some of Mee's lavish paintings of orchids and bromeliads. Her watercolors hang in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; while most of her paintings were sketched on location in pencil and then painted with gouache. Mee's works created one of the most important records of plants in an ecosystem that was unknown to many before she studied them. Admission to the exhibition is free. For more information, please call 847-835-8278 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.
Back to top
 Earlier this year, the City of Chicago and Chicago 2016 announced the formation of World Sport Chicago, a long-term alliance that promotes the development of amateur sports and international competition in the Chicagoland area. Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena set the stage for the very first World Sport Chicago event, which was a wrestling match between USA and Russia. The event, named the Chicago Cup, took place in February and welcomed over 6,000 fans despite a blizzard-like snowstorm! "This kind of attendance proves, once again, that Chicago is a true sports town and can generate large audiences for its amateur sporting events," says Gina Speckman, CNSCVB's executive director. "Reporting numbers like these certainly contribute positively to Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics."
Back to top
The following businesses have recently joined Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau as Preferred Partners. Please help us build a bigger and stronger Bureau by letting us know of any businesses or industry contacts who you believe would benefit from becoming one of our Preferred Partners. Please contact Jennifer Williams, CNSCVB Sales Manager at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 x 22 with any questions.
The Olive Mountain Restaurant
610 Davis St.
Evanston
Hassib Blan
847-475-0380
Perennials
2022 Central St.
Evanston
Patty O'Neill
847-475-8327
National-Louis University
5202 Old Orchard Rd., Ste. 300
Skokie
Peter Senechalle
224-233-2000
Di Pescara
2124 Northbrook Court
Northbrook
Mark Tormey
847-498-4321
|
AAA Northbrook
483 Waukegan Rd.
Northbrook
Kathy Yovino
847-272-1878
AAA Wilmette
126 Skokie Blvd.
Wilmette
Robert Gustafson
847-679-8706
AAA Evanston
1724 Sherman Ave.
Evanston
Robert Gustafson
847-563-5300
Healthy Green Goods
702 Main St.
Evanston
Marny Turvill
847-864-9098
|
Back to top
|
