Bureau Bits

Breakfast with the Bureau

Start your day off right during Breakfast with the Bureau, April 2 from 8-10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Select Naperville. Learn about the newest DuPage CVB marketing initiatives; listen and laugh with Conor Cunneen as he helps you beat the recession and grow your business; and learn about social media from Anne Hornyak of Chicago Plus and Tori Goodheart from DuPage CVB. Registration required. RSVP by March 27 to sally@discoverdupage.com or call 630-575-8070.

DuPage Visitors Guide Listings

Only members who are current with their 2009 membership dues will be listed in the 2009-2010 DuPage Visitors Guide, which will be produced and distributed by Memorial Day. Dues payments must be received by the end of March to be guaranteed a listing. If you're not certain whether your dues are paid for the current year, please contact Sally Winkelman.

Watch for information this week on how you can verify and update your listing as it will appear in the Visitors Guide.

Celebrate National Tourism Week

Save the date for our annual Hospitality Showcase, May 14th at The Morton Arboretum. The event is designed to locally celebrate National Tourism Week. Mingle and network with the crowd, taste scrumptious bites from DuPage restaurants, learn about area attractions, services and more! Watch for your invitation, coming soon!

Sales Team Spotlight

The DuPage CVB Sales Team will be attending these upcoming tradeshows:

• Affordable Meetings, April 1-2 in Chicago
• National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) April 27-30 in Denver

Tourism Industry Update

“In recent weeks, travel for meetings, events and performance incentives (ME&I) has come under attack from media and elected officials who have sought to score ‘political points’ by deterring corporate travel. As a result, businesses are canceling ME&I travel across the country.” Roger Dow, President and CEO of U.S. Travel Association.

Due to the serious threat to the tourism industry and its employees, the U.S. Travel Association has spearheaded a major campaign, Meetings Mean Business, to educate policymakers. Visit their web site for talking points and ideas for how you can help spread the word to the media, policymakers, businesses, community officials and residents. Join in the effort! 

Featured Members

New Members

• Hilton Garden Inn Addison
• Sounds Abound Entertainment

Member Highlights & Updates 

Congratulations to Hilton Lisle/Naperville for being ranked #2 of all Hilton hotels in the United Stated for front office service and hospitality. Over 32,000 Hilton guests ranked their experience with the front office at over 290 Hilton hotels. According to Richard Brink, General Manager at the Hilton, “The money and time invested in staff training is well worth it due to all of the guests who continue to return stay after stay.”                                                                            

James Rudny, owner of J Rudny LLC, won two 2009 Illinois Tourism Awards at last week's Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism. J Rudny LLC was recognized for creating the best Large Market Tourism web site and best Social Media site.

Naper Settlement joined museums from around the country for the first Museums Advocacy Day on February 23-24 in Washington D.C.  Representatives from Naper Settlement met with members of Congress to stress the educational importance and economic impact of museums, and advocated for policy issues.

The Westmont Educational Foundation has recently been formed as a charitable organization to allow donations for the Westmont Chamber’s scholarship program to be tax-deductible. The program awards scholarships to some of the most promising young adults. Students who live in Westmont are eligible to apply by April 1. Donations for this year’s program can be made by contacting the WCCTB at 630-963-5553.

Member Events & Special Offers

You are cordially invited to attend an Executive Showcase, Thursday, March 26, from 8 -11:30 a.m. at The DuPage Club, featuring Jason Pankau, “Fired Up or Burned Out” and Anna Weselak, “Employee Engagement.” The $125 fee per person includes continental breakfast, a signed copy of “Fired Up or Burned Out” and a personalized management profile. For more information, visit Weselak & Associates, or call 630-889-0626.

Indulge in an exquisite culinary event presented by students, faculty and distinguished chefs during the College of DuPage’s 12th Annual Traditions in Excellence Dinner, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at the Jack H. Turner Conference Center. Tickets are $75, doors open at 5:30 and business attire is suggested. To make a reservation call 630-942-3663.

Dried and silk floral arrangements prepared by the Weed Ladies will be available at Naper Settlement's Annual Spring Floral Sale. This year, the Weed Ladies, along with the Naperville Heritage Society, are celebrating their 40th anniversary. The Sale will be held from 10 am to 4 pm Friday and Saturday, March 20-21 in the historic Daniels House. Admission is free.

Work in a restaurant? Monday nights are "Industry Nights" at RIVA in Naperville. Bring in your pay stub or work ID and receive a 25% Riva employee discount in the bar. Other nightly specials include: half-price bar menu on Tuesday and Wednesday; Complimentary happy hour buffet on Thursday and Friday; Ladies Night Fridays with martini specials; live music Friday and Saturday nights.

Listen to live music at Ditka’s Oakbrook Terrace, featuring Guitarra Azul, Wednesdays at 5 pm and Saturdays at 8 pm.

One of the most explosive movie musicals to capture the heart of America bursts onto the live stage at The Paramount Theatre. The Footloose 10th Anniversary Tour has the heart, it’s got the music, and it’s got everyone on their feet! Join the fun on March 21 or 22. Come for the“Family 4-Pack” Saturday matinee special that includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas for $100.

It’s March Madness and Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group is hosting an NCAA Bracket Challenge. With a chance to win a trip on a private jet to St. Louis to go see the Cubs take on their Cardinal rivals.  Prizes will also be awarded for the Biggest Loser. Visit www.harrycarays.com after March 15th and before March 19th to submit your bracket predictions. Watch the Madness at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, and enjoy $2 Bud and Bud Light Drafts with commemorative March Madness pint glasses during all game days in Harry’s Bar.  

Visit the DuPage CVB Events Calendar for a more complete list of exciting events in and around DuPage.