DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau Spotlights ... - DuPage County

For Immediate Release
May 7, 2013
Contact:
DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Brent Edwards, Director of Marketing
915 Harger Road, Suite 240, Oak Brook, IL 60523
(800) 232-0502 ext. 214
brent@discoverdupage.com
DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau Spotlights
National Travel and Tourism Week
Oak Brook, IL — According to figures recently released by the U.S. Travel Data Center regarding Illinois
tourism, visitors to DuPage County contributed $2.15 billion dollars to the state’s economy in 2011. This
is an 8% increase over 2010. DuPage holds onto its ranking as second only to Cook County for domestic
travel spending in Illinois generating $161 million in state and local taxes.
DuPage County’s hospitality industry employed over 20,720 people and generated $546 million in
payroll in 2011. Without tourism revenue, every DuPage resident would pay an additional $1,100 or more
in taxes annually.
“It is very satisfying to know that DuPage continues to hold its own as a desirable destination for both
business and leisure travelers,” states Skip Strittmatter, Executive Director of the DuPage Convention &
Visitors Bureau (DCVB). “With our proximity to Chicago, over 16,000 hotel rooms and 1.9 million
square feet of meeting space, and easy access to O’Hare and Midway, major interstates, and commuter
rail lines, we offer an attractive and affordable alternative to staying in the city. World-class shopping,
dining, and entertainment, combined with our rich culture, heritage and landscape, are what bring people
back to DuPage County.” continued Strittmatter.
Started in 1984, this nationally recognized week highlights the important role the travel and tourism
industry plays in our local, state and national economies. Throughout the week, local events take place in
cities and states across the country, championing the power of travel. This year, National Travel and
Tourism Week takes place May 4-12 and in commemorating this special week the DCVB will be hosting
their Annual Hospitality Showcase at The Morton Arboretum and conducting a 2-Day Familiarization
Tour (FAM) for travel writers throughout the Midwest.
Over 30 partners of the Bureau will participate in the Hospitality Showcase (May 9 th ) providing samples
of food, information about their attractions, creating partnerships to strengthen tourism and more. “This
event has been going strong for over 10 years and allows our tourism partners the opportunity to
showcase what makes this destination unique” states Skip Strittmatter.
The DCVB will also play host to a Travel Writer FAM Tour on Wednesday, May 8 th and Thursday, May
9 th where six travel writers from around the Midwest will attend and be treated to a variety of venues,

attractions, museums, restaurants, and entertainment. The goal is to have the writers feature what they
have experienced during the FAM in their specific articles, blogs, stories, social media, and other media
related channels. The FAM will then culminate at the Hospitality Showcase.
Travel employs a broad and diverse workforce, from airline and hotel employees to restaurant, attraction
and retail workers. Travel further supports employees in other industry sectors, such as construction,
manufacturing and finance.
“I’ve worked in the travel industry for 10 years, and I depend on visitors for my living,” said Kari Roberg,
Social Media Manager at the DCVB. “When people make the choice to travel to DuPage County, it
makes an enormous impact on the residents who live and work here.”
For more information about tourism in DuPage County please contact Brent Edwards at (630) 575-8070
or brent@discoverdupage.com or visit www.discoverdupage.com.
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About DuPage County
DuPage County is the second most populous county in Illinois after Cook County, which borders it to the
north and east. Together, the two counties account for half of the state’s population.
One of the nation’s wealthiest counties, DuPage is rich in many types of commerce and is second only to
Cook in tourism revenue. With its well-developed highway and mass transit system, DuPage is easily
accessible from O’Hare and Midway Airports, as well as the City of Chicago.
About DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau
The DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau was established through the efforts of a coalition of
DuPage area hotel executives and business representatives in 1987, and was formally certified in 1989 by
the State of Illinois. It remains the official agency for promoting the county’s multibillion dollar tourism
industry and market DuPage County as an enticing destination for leisure and business travelers, meeting
planners, groups and conventions, in order to enhance the economic development of the area.
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