DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces Next Phase of Strategic Plan

OAK BROOK, IL — Beth Marchetti, executive director of the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau today announced the next phase of the organization’s strategic plan, GPS: A Tourism Roadmap. Two newly established committees – Product Development and Sports Advisory - will work in partnership with the DuPage CVB to further strengthen its position within the business travel market, and grow awareness of the destination throughout the leisure visitor market. The creation of the committees follows the launch of “DuMore in DuPage,” the new brand which was unveiled in July 2017.

The DuPage CVB continues to develop new initiatives that are critical to the growth and prosperity of the DuPage visitor industry. Members of the Product Development and Sports Advisory Committees will provide guidance and advocate on behalf of the DuPage CVB team as it works to stimulate new product offerings that attract visitors and enhance the quality of life for DuPage residents. Each committee is comprised of a diverse group of experts in their respective areas, including medical, health, nature, hotels, sports, government leaders, and more working in a volunteer capacity.

“Over the last year, the DuPage CVB has expanded its role to that of a destination architect,” said Marchetti. “Working with our Board of Directors, our members, and our partners, we continue to move forward on an aggressive trajectory now that we have the research, a comprehensive strategic plan, and a new brand. These committees are going to be essential in helping to guide and advise us as we work to enhance the visitor experience, and ultimately make DuPage County more competitive in the travel and tourism space.”

“Our work around the county has demonstrated that truly strategic convention and visitor bureaus must proactively work to stimulate the ‘right kind’ of new product opportunities, and speak to prospective visitors’ interests, while enhancing residents’ quality of life,” said Mitch Nichols, president of Nichols Tourism Group who worked in partnership with the DuPage CVB to develop its strategic plan. “That is exactly the charge of the new Tourism Product Development Committee.”

The Sports Advisory Committee will work in partnership with the DuPage CVB and the Huddle Up Group, a leader in sports tourism and destination development, as it explores the viability of expanding its targeted sales and event development efforts in sports tourism. Sports tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry. Over the last four years, the DuPage CVB has booked more than 60 events and tournaments which represents more than 60,000 visitors who generated more than 74,000 hotel overnight stays and an estimated $12.5 million in direct spending.

“We are excited to work with the entire team at the DuPage CVB,” said Jon Schmieder, Founder & CEO, Huddle Up Group, LLC. “With the right plan in place, their expanded focus on the hyper competitive sports market should help drive increased overnight stays to the county.”

### The DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official sales and marketing organization for DuPage County. The DCVB was formed to attract business and leisure travelers to DuPage County’s 38 communities and is responsible for generating billions of dollars in revenue every year in the form of hotel nights, tourist attractions, meals and more. The DuPage CVB is the only Illinois State certified not-for-profit organization authorized to represent DuPage County’s tourism and convention business.###