tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45168434218860374792024-03-12T18:37:38.491-05:00Kankakee County TourismWelcome to Kankakee County, IL home of the Chicago Bears Summer Training Camp, Barn Quilts, the Kankakee River and more. The mission of the CVB is to create vibrant growth for the local economy by promoting Kankakee County as an overnight destination, increasing visitor awareness and developing a united tourism industry. Get updates on attractions and events in Kankakee County... an affordable destination just an hour south of Chicago at our website, www.visitkankakeecounty.com.Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-36866734858002361882014-08-25T10:42:00.000-05:002014-08-25T10:42:00.898-05:00Becoming a Tourist Attraction, Part 3 in a 3-part series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh7vfix7Zmy38t7JIKd72xLq560ibsgj1AYGGwVq_kLfWe8c0w-gvujEXuhECpjP9nnTZ4gtBQ8gdUm3tDeyi73VWmo_tQubj_1N61WbYoVFInWPjnVgO69Ijo5ciVAmlLkbyESukHz5Z/s1600/Photoxpress_15313567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh7vfix7Zmy38t7JIKd72xLq560ibsgj1AYGGwVq_kLfWe8c0w-gvujEXuhECpjP9nnTZ4gtBQ8gdUm3tDeyi73VWmo_tQubj_1N61WbYoVFInWPjnVgO69Ijo5ciVAmlLkbyESukHz5Z/s1600/Photoxpress_15313567.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the last of our series on attracting tourists to your restaurant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Becoming a Tourist Attraction- Part 3</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether or not you are near a tourism hub, you may be able to attract travelers to your restaurant. By establishing yourself as unique, you can turn yourself into a destination for culinary tourists. Try the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Offer regional cuisine.</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many travelers are looking for cultural education, and offering unique, regional cuisine will pique their interest. For example, if you are in San Antonio, consider serving chile con carne. If you are in Chicago, serve gourmet hot dogs. If you are on the beach, serve fresh seafood. You could also serve local wines and beers, or feature local produce in your menu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Develop your unique selling point (USP).</u></b></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more unique your restaurant, the more likely you will become a destination for tourism. Theme restaurants, exhibition cooking, and unique dining experience can attract tourists. For example, Casa Bonita in Denver attracts tourists by offering cliff divers, costumes and other forms of entertainment. You could renovate your restaurant to include a unique interior design or even offer cooking classes to teach tourists how to make local dishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Get press.</u></b></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best way to become a tourist destination is to get regional and/or national press. If you get enough press and good reviews, travelers might visit your area just to eat at your restaurant, or they may remember your restaurant when the inevitable question is posed: “Where should we eat out tonight?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Organize a local culinary event.</u></b></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get together with other local businesses, restaurants and farmers’ markets to organize a regional or city-wide culinary festival or dining event. For example, restaurants in the City of Boulder host an annual weeklong event called “First Bite,” where top local restaurants offer a unique three course $26 fixed-price dinner menu. Such an event may require you to work with the competition, but it can increase culinary tourism in your area, especially if the event highlights regional cuisine. If your region already puts on an arts or culinary festival, like “Taste of Georgetown,” make sure to participate or vend at the location. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading our three-part series on attracting tourists to a restaurant. For further information on making your restaurant more attractive to tour groups, please contact <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com">sales@visitkankakeecounty.com</a>. </span></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-42023948547421659432014-08-11T10:36:00.000-05:002014-08-11T10:36:00.389-05:00Capitalizing on a Nearby Tourist Attraction, Part 2 of 3-part a series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoyMBt8NHaQ9bFCvRKjlIGaflST7LY0MrLpEChqzJKbLoyP5yn7wHZi3HXVocBAHcUJihkHFmeXzZzRefpE5UoOnbNB77PzESj8Hkw08-ZvWJ250oJohEXIrb1n_a3K8P9xvPR30wO0x7/s1600/Photoxpress_1446501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoyMBt8NHaQ9bFCvRKjlIGaflST7LY0MrLpEChqzJKbLoyP5yn7wHZi3HXVocBAHcUJihkHFmeXzZzRefpE5UoOnbNB77PzESj8Hkw08-ZvWJ250oJohEXIrb1n_a3K8P9xvPR30wO0x7/s1600/Photoxpress_1446501.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please enjoy the second part of our series on attracting tourist to your restaurant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Capitalizing on a Nearby Tourist Attraction Part 2</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you operate a restaurant near a tourist attraction like a museum, beach, theme park or event center, make sure you capitalize on your good location. In addition to the essential marketing techniques mentioned above, use some of these tactics to catch the interest of tourists:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Use outdoor signs.</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A large sign and a sidewalk menu will help you attract passersby. Prominent outdoor signage is especially important if you operate within walking distance of a major tourist attraction, like a beach, museum or downtown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Buy billboard space.</u></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To attract tourists traveling by road, consider purchasing billboard space on a major interstate, especially if your restaurant is near an exit. It is also a good idea to advertise on the major highways near the airport, since you might catch the eye of a traveler in a cab or rental car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Advertise in newspapers.</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many travelers will buy a local newspaper or pick up a free one at their hotel. If you hope to attract their business, consider advertising in the papers, especially during tourist season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Form partnerships</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partner with charter bus companies, travel agencies, local hotels and event centers. For example, you could agree to give discounts to mutual customers, and ask them to distribute coupons or menus for your restaurant. Some hotels and convention centers will even give visitors a coupon book for local businesses. You should also consider forming a friendship with and giving a permanent discount to the employees at hotels and visitor centers. Many travelers will ask these locals for restaurant recommendations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Become a rewards provider.</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a rewards provider, joining a rewards network – like ThankYou, SkyMiles Dining or Rewards Network Restaurant Cashback – can help you to attract business from people who eat out frequently when traveling.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be sure to check back for the last entry in the series:<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Part 3 Becoming a Tourist Attraction</b></span></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-1088568696952439422014-07-28T10:34:00.000-05:002014-07-28T10:34:00.046-05:00Attracting Customers to a Restaurant, Part 1 in a 3-part series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOL-esCtYNAJBCEl9-kdF5JICpBw6W2y_P8aIV5W_SvAhDUoArtcwe2ZcBFsiI1pY_Mj8PUjv4P96I-V_95V2FJFWsPf5ZcSP3XjWB4Luv1kmcG-kLdUjFA-m0tmzN55X0grb1EGG9SAi/s1600/Photoxpress_2611489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOL-esCtYNAJBCEl9-kdF5JICpBw6W2y_P8aIV5W_SvAhDUoArtcwe2ZcBFsiI1pY_Mj8PUjv4P96I-V_95V2FJFWsPf5ZcSP3XjWB4Luv1kmcG-kLdUjFA-m0tmzN55X0grb1EGG9SAi/s1600/Photoxpress_2611489.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Culinary tourism is gaining popularity. When people take vacations and travel, they usually want more beyond simple relaxation or a business trip. They are seeking cultural education, in part by experiencing the local cuisine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Essentials for Attracting Out-of-Town Customers –Part 1</span></span></span></b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any restaurant could profit from out-of-town customers. If you hope to attract tourists and out-of-towners, you need to use the right marketing techniques to catch their interest. There are two ways to attract tourists to a restaurant: be near a tourist attraction, or become the tourist attraction. Either way, make sure you do the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maintain a website.</span></i></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost 50% of consumers have visited a restaurant website. Since they do not have firsthand knowledge of the region, tourists and out-of-towners are even more likely than the average customer to surf the Internet for a good place to eat. If you already have a website, send a link request to the local chamber of commerce or tourism bureau.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><u><b><i>Get listed in the phonebook.</i></b></u></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a phonebook in almost every hotel room. If you are not listed in the phonebook, it might be difficult for out-of-towners to find your address and phone number. In a crunch, travelers will often turn to the phonebook to find a place to eat. In addition to getting listed, you might consider placing an ad in the yellow pages with some details about your restaurant and your takeout and delivery services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><u><i>Distribute paper menus.</i></u></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you hope to sell to travelers, you need a paper menu, whether or not you offer takeout and delivery. Place the menu in strategic locations, like hotel lobbies, visitor centers, car rental agencies, airports and local bulletin boards. Your paper menu will serve as a mini-advertisement for your restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><u><b>Get listed in restaurant guides.</b></u></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are located in a tourism hub or a popular travel destination, it is essential that you get listed in restaurant guides and directories. This includes online restaurant guides like RestaurantRow.com and Dine.com, as well as any print restaurant directories that will list you, such as hotel restaurant guides, the AAA Travel Destination Guide, the Michelin Guide, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Offer good parking.</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travelers who are new to the area do not want to search for a parking space. If your parking situation is lacking, you might have difficulty convincing tourists that your restaurant is worth the hassle of parking far away. If you do not have a parking lot, partner with a local garage or lot and implement a free valet parking service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By making use of the above tactics, you will make your restaurant available to both tourists and business travelers who are looking for a place to eat out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be sure to check back for part 2, <b>capitalizing on a Nearby Tourist Attraction!</b></span></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-60665967986630519492014-07-14T09:30:00.000-05:002014-07-14T09:30:00.123-05:00How Baby Boomers Influence Travel, Part 2<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTBAJV1SocPXXr7hGmbGZsR8pFk8QIx15QNawy_EXAvxtL-UBpjWjgQ_A6yRRCCIlZ1fq3uq6wa3CaDNoZVU27GBQ8SVD3ZzEr1cyt4ZWVZqpRhmN6k2s88cLbQh0PmVd0ZCUSmOmDXP1/s1600/shutterstock_146603345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTBAJV1SocPXXr7hGmbGZsR8pFk8QIx15QNawy_EXAvxtL-UBpjWjgQ_A6yRRCCIlZ1fq3uq6wa3CaDNoZVU27GBQ8SVD3ZzEr1cyt4ZWVZqpRhmN6k2s88cLbQh0PmVd0ZCUSmOmDXP1/s1600/shutterstock_146603345.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is the second installment on Baby Boomer Travel:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">7. <b>Boomers think they are special.</b> Always been a force to be
reckoned with, they are very demanding consumers. "Whether they go budget
or luxury, boomers tend to want the best," said Day. <br />
<br />What boomers definitely do not want is herding. To many boomers, group travel
has the faint aroma of a cattle drive. This has prompted some operators to drop
tours from their names. Others have pared down group size, either by forming
smaller groups or breaking larger groups into subsets which engage in different
activities simultaneously. <br />
<br />
Day suggested tour operators offer products that provide group transportation
and accommodations, but impose a less rigid structure on travelers' daily
movements. "I can see a much more à la carte approach that allows more
independence," she said. The experts also recommended promotional
materials down play the group aspect of tours and emphasize the benefits to
individuals.<br />
<br />
8. <b>Boomers like creature comforts.</b> This fact, according to Malott,
actually keeps boomers from booking the exotic locales they profess to like.
Day puts a slightly different spin on the issue. "A tent is OK," she
said, "but it better have a great view and great food. Even if you're in
the wilderness, luxury is being served a delicious meal without having to lift
a finger." <br /><br />
9. <b>Boomers are time deprived.</b> To get relief from their stressful
schedules, boomers vacation at spas where they can do absolutely nothing but be
pampered. Or they may go to the opposite extreme, choosing adventures that are
physically or mentally challenging - or both. <br /><br />
When booking travel, boomers also need time-saving devices. They like 800
numbers, the Internet, videos and virtual reality because they offer
convenience and interactivity. Their predilection for technology can reduce
travel suppliers' costs for agents' commissions and printing and mailing
brochures. However, it also means call centers must be staffed to meet whenever
boomers call.<br />
<br />
Internet use is so common among Mature Traveler readers, editor Malott
automatically lists website addresses along with phone numbers. Day pointed out
that boomers use the Internet more for information gathering than booking.
"It's human nature to want to feel connected to what you're about to sign
up for," she said. However, she added, boomers also like the freedom of not
involving other people when they are exploring a subject. Their attitude is,
"When I've decided, I'll initiate the next move."<br />
<br />
10. <b>Boomers will pay for luxury, expertise and convenience. </b>ATM fees,
nannies and bottled water prove boomers are willing to pay for what they want.
Mancini noted, "Boomers are willing to do things for themselves, if it's a
hobby or if they think it won't require too much effort, but they really like
to hire others to do it for them because it implies status." <br /><br />
Organized group travel becomes valuable to boomers when it's a physically or
mentally challenging adventure, but they don't have the skill level to do it
themselves. Or when safety and cost make traveling with a group more practical.
"You get to an impasse where you need the experts to facilitate the
experience," noted Day.<br />
<br />
To attract boomers, tour operators must emphasize their expertise. They must
add value boomers can't get on their own. Guides must become like personal
trainers and demonstrate the skill and knowledge boomers will respect and pay
for. <br />
<br />
11. <b>Boomers are skeptical of institutions and individuals. </b>With Viet Nam
and Watergate as touchstones, who can blame this generation for lacking trust?
As a function of their distrust, boomers are not joiners. They are less
involved with alumni groups, civic organizations and museum societies than
their predecessors, so these traditional sources of group business may be less
viable in the future. <br />
<br />
Because they are skeptical, boomers actively research their travel options, so
suppliers must expect a lot of information gathering before the buy decision.
Public relations efforts that impart third-party or expert endorsement help
break through boomers' skepticism. NTA focus groups in 1997 and 1998 said ads
in local newspapers and word of mouth were the best sources of information and
persuasion for travel products. <br /><br />
12. <b>Boomers like to associate with people like themselves.</b> As noted
earlier, boomers do not identify with people older than themselves. According
to Day, one of the questions uppermost in their minds when they purchase travel
is, "Who is going to be on this trip? Is it going to be people like me or
a bunch of stodgy, gray-haired people?"<br />
<br />
Day said boomers look for outfitters or operators who "share my
values,"so they are very selective about who they'll use. She added,
"They want an interactive feeling with the outfitter . . . where there's
equality between boomers and the leader."</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">13. <b>Boomers are not homogeneous.</b> While boomers identify themselves as
boomers, they are not a single group. In terms of life stages, boomers may be
the least homogeneous generation to date. There are childless-by-choice boomers,
others with new babies, others with grandchildren and some with both. Fifty
year olds who are retiring and others starting new careers or returning to
college. Empty nesters downsizing their lives, parents who can't get their Gen
Xers out of the house and others raising their grandchildren. These variations
affect spending habits, the amount of time available for vacations and with
whom boomers travel. <br />
<br />
There is also a dichotomy between older and younger boomers. For those born
between 1946 and 1955, Viet Nam was the defining event of their lives. For
those who came later, it was Watergate. When older boomers finished college,
jobs were plentiful and interest rates low. Younger boomers faced recession and
21% interest. The older group, the first to benefit from women's movement,
tends to be more career-oriented. The younger ones experienced the down side of
women's lib - the higher divorce rate. They also felt they never got as much
attention as their older siblings, so they are more family-oriented. According
to Mancini, older boomers, including himself, "thought our parents stuff
was corny and stupid." Younger boomers, who watched Donna Reed and Ozzie
and Harriet reruns on TV, he said, "unleashed this whole wave of
nostalgia." All these factors too impact travel behavior.<br />
<br />
If they keep these 13 truths about boomers in mind, marketers will be more
successful in pursuing this large, but complex market segment.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-34535644247403201162014-06-30T09:30:00.000-05:002014-06-30T09:30:02.883-05:00How Baby Boomers Influence Travel Trends, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEKGFR_lTWPdWFSvhnuiE45kVNPENEOWjXSNW_UV67-mcR7Vye6xjuLtAfSVv7UT7-bYkbzw65JAEVhI3HvAVXw9WfBp-TMkTw2QbZa6nMLYNOgrJlbjQKkDwkoloVvG4lu6H8O9evxE7/s1600/shutterstock_146679515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEKGFR_lTWPdWFSvhnuiE45kVNPENEOWjXSNW_UV67-mcR7Vye6xjuLtAfSVv7UT7-bYkbzw65JAEVhI3HvAVXw9WfBp-TMkTw2QbZa6nMLYNOgrJlbjQKkDwkoloVvG4lu6H8O9evxE7/s1600/shutterstock_146679515.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 105%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 105%;">Born between 1946 and 1964, 78 million Baby Boomers changed American business at each stage of
their development. Diaper services, Barbie dolls, Rolling Stone magazine,
relaxed-fit jeans and SUVs - all were created in response to boomers' needs.
Now it's the travel industry's turn to be affected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<br />
Baby boomers today are between 35 and 53 years of age. They are in their peak
earning years, and the oldest of them have reached the prime age for travel.
Boomers, however, are significantly different travel consumers than their
parents, and experts expect them to maintain those differences as they age.
Travel industry organizations that fail to identify and heed the boomers'
unique qualities could soon find themselves in serious trouble. <br />
<br />To help marketers more effectively target boomers today and in the future,
Travel Marketing Decisions interviewed a series of experts to gather insight
into this enormous and potentially lucrative segment. Below are 13 truths about
baby boomers and their marketing implications for the industry. <br />
<br />
1. <b>Boomers consider travel a necessity, not a luxury.</b> This is good news
for the industry on two counts. First, the sheer number of boomers traveling
will cause business to grow. Second, since travel is a necessity, boomers
engage in it no matter how scarce their time or money. Their travel behavior,
therefore, is less dependent on life stage or the economy.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Boomers have traveled more than their predecessors.</b> While their
parents first visited Europe when they retired, boomers criss-crossed the
Continent as students. As experienced travelers, boomers seek out more exotic destinations or more
in-depth ways of experiencing familiar places. "You're not likely to see
them on bus tours of the U.S. because they already did that on their bikes or
with backpacks," said Courtney Day, senior vice of the Senior Network, a
New Jersey research and marketing firm that specializes in the older consumer. <br />
<br />
Been-there-done-that is one reason adventure travel appeals to them, Day said.
She defined adventure travel as either physically-challenging outdoor activity
or an off-the-beaten-path destination. Because boomers are interested in
bettering themselves, intellectually stimulating travel also holds appeal. <br />
<br />
3. <b>Boomers see themselves as forever young.</b> This cult of youth also affects boomers' choice of travel suppliers and
companions. They don't identify with people older than they are, after all,
their credo was "Don't trust anybody over 30." Now well past 30
themselves, boomers still don't want to be like their parents. That means
mixing the two generations in the same tour group probably won't work. Early
bird specials and senior discounts hold no appeal for boomers because,
according to Day, because they won't think of themselves as seniors until they
are in their seventies.<br />
<br />
She said some companies may have to reinvent their images because boomers don't
want anything that smacks of being stuffy or stodgy. More youthful models
should be selected because boomers relate better to younger images. The word
maturity should be replaced with experience and education. <br />
<br />
4. <b>Boomers want to have fun.</b> It's not surprising that adult teenagers
put a premium on having a good time. Although fun, like beauty, is in the eye
of the beholder, Day said companionship, stimulation and the cultural/social
experience make travel fun for boomers. She added, "Part of the enjoyment
of the experience is knowing it's unique -that's part of the rush."<br />
<br />
Day said tour operators and destinations can increase the fun factor by
encouraging boomers to bring friends with them. A group isn't a negative when
it's a group of their own friends, she said. <br />
<br />
Day also pointed out, "Fun that is too difficult to obtain isn't fun at
all." This again underscores the importance of making the travel purchase
quick, easy and convenient. <br /><br />
5. <b>Boomers demand immediate gratification.</b> Unlike their Depression-era
parents, boomers grew up in times of plenty. Easy gratification bred a desire
for still more and quicker rewards. As a result, boomers don't wait to take the
trips they want. If they don't have the money, they just use plastic.<br /><br />
Boomers' instant-gratification lifestyle means they don't book travel as far in
advance as their predecessors. But when they are ready to book, they want to do
it NOW.<br />
<br />
Finally, it's important to remember boomers invented the question, "Are we
there yet?" They have little patience for long, uninterrupted stretches of
road time. Tour operators should plan shorter hauls or more frequent stops or
provide entertainment such as personal video screens or Internet access.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Boomers are not passive. </b>They want a measure of control in designing
their travel experience, and, once on the road, they want to choose their
activities. "If you tell them they're going to do A, B and C, they might
want to do E or F," noted editor Malott. The challenge for travel
marketers is to make it clear their product offers plenty of options.<br />
<br />
Boomers also want more interactivity in the travel experience. According to
John Stachnik, president of Mayflower Tours, "They don't want to hear
about panning for gold, they want to do it." Stachnik called it sightdoing
vs. sightseeing. <br />
<br />
Malott said boomers also crave the "local human touch." That means
activities such as "meet the people" dinners or playing golf with
locals will be highly attractive tour elements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Check back for part two in the series on Baby Boomer travel.</span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-30029968156172661552014-06-16T09:30:00.000-05:002014-06-16T09:30:01.850-05:00Marketing 101 for Bears Training Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL9ZcgQBj0JaYPme_wcVWkD7ys3YsNKLXVox8SSUS4chBUg7pViAANoDeLXKW9X4XeT2pmqC948PwW2E_49V1zh0Hi2FKb5_Ym8OUiV_KE9u8Xh5IytVIeg_DAR8Th0SNbbQfQqSsGVNI/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL9ZcgQBj0JaYPme_wcVWkD7ys3YsNKLXVox8SSUS4chBUg7pViAANoDeLXKW9X4XeT2pmqC948PwW2E_49V1zh0Hi2FKb5_Ym8OUiV_KE9u8Xh5IytVIeg_DAR8Th0SNbbQfQqSsGVNI/s1600/Image+2.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>MARKETING 101 FOR BEARS TRAINING CAMP</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Presented by the Kankakee County CVB, Kankakee County Chamber and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Economic Development Alliance of Kankakee County</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upwards of 100,000 people visit our community during for 17 days during the height of summer travel season. Join us for a cup of coffee and find out new and exciting ways your business can market to these visitors, draw them to your business, and cash in.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Attend a 1 hour seminar to discover cost effective and efficient ways to promote your business to Training Camp visitors.<br /><br />* Restaurants<br /> * Hotels<br /> * Boutiques<br /> * Attractions<br /> * Antiques Dealers<br /> * Retail businesses of all kinds!<br /><br />All are welcome. You need not be a chamber member to attend. <br /><br />Date: Friday, June 20<br /> Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am<br /> Place: 4th Floor Library Conference Room of the Executive Centre (200 East Court St., Kankakee)</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To reserve your seat, please RSVP to: <a href="mailto:Info@KankakeeCountyChamber.com">Info@KankakeeCountyChamber.com</a></span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-2747468403870762142014-06-02T12:52:00.000-05:002014-06-02T12:52:00.504-05:00Measure the success of your event...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR_VJ9L4VrGvTfb0dveQnX-5IL7iza5nAfX6VWPmN_SOKM4TbW_OGOMysRl4cOV_Qhyz5j_Let6UeBtm9VoZSJ1ZAsmRbWdcfyoiIQtTI_zzJaWstpSS1_l90hDJ9BOSsIZeJXKVbEviJ/s1600/Photoxpress_3857147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR_VJ9L4VrGvTfb0dveQnX-5IL7iza5nAfX6VWPmN_SOKM4TbW_OGOMysRl4cOV_Qhyz5j_Let6UeBtm9VoZSJ1ZAsmRbWdcfyoiIQtTI_zzJaWstpSS1_l90hDJ9BOSsIZeJXKVbEviJ/s1600/Photoxpress_3857147.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's that time of the year again; event season.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Rights holders need to track attendance numbers over
time to accurately define economic impact generated from the event. Having an
accurate attendance number gives you an advantage when negotiating fees and requesting
sponsorships; you have the history of how many people attend the event.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most importantly, estimated attendance numbers help keep the
crowds at large gatherings safe. Event coordinators and officials are able to
plan how to manage traffic in the area, how many medical response personnel
will be needed in case of an emergency, as well as how much security to hire.
Crowd size is also needed for media news reports and to historically record the
event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whereas crowd counting is not an exact science, using ticket
sales or counting turnstile entries is one of the easiest ways to keep track of
how many people attend. Additionally, there are grid systems that measure the
maximum number of people that can fit in a defined space. The “Jacob’s Method
of Crowd Counting” is one of the most widely accepted methods of using the grid
system. The basis of his system is a loose crowd, one where each person is an
arm's length from the body of his or her nearest neighbors, needs 10 square
feet per person. A more tightly packed crowd fills 4.5 square feet per person.
A truly scary mob of mosh-pit density would get about 2.5 square feet per
person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please read more about the methods of crowd counting here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.livescience.com/8578-crowd-size-estimated.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.livescience.com/8578-crowd-size-estimated.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-66639668735445437902014-05-19T12:49:00.000-05:002014-05-19T12:49:00.749-05:00Tradeshow Success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEHhVQiiPDpeH9tjSE4Hc9M15KWBGH9dwZMtWzUhwCWG5hunSvkt47av3d_-3k3UTwdlovM8OXdIctQxdiuQnxzLkIRmGjZ19uJnzC61bHasmx3OFxP2ADh4Bi7tr-KfrybeUE_a8A7ix/s1600/man_with_ipad_iStock_000021652636Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEHhVQiiPDpeH9tjSE4Hc9M15KWBGH9dwZMtWzUhwCWG5hunSvkt47av3d_-3k3UTwdlovM8OXdIctQxdiuQnxzLkIRmGjZ19uJnzC61bHasmx3OFxP2ADh4Bi7tr-KfrybeUE_a8A7ix/s1600/man_with_ipad_iStock_000021652636Large.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re attending a marketing event, the work can begin
well before the event and isn’t finished when the trade show exhibits are
packed away. Follow these tips for beforehand and afterwards and you can help
ensure that you have a successful trade show, whether you’re a complete newbie
or a veteran marketer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Sure Your
Display Is Being Shipped To The Correct Place<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having your trade show exhibits shipped to the right
location is vital. If any of the
shipping details are incorrect, such as the zip code or city, or even which
hall at the convention center, you could be stuck at the event without your
trade show exhibits. Additionally, check that your company’s name or booth location
is clearly labeled on the boxes so that the staff knows exactly where it should
be placed for installation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s also a good idea to make sure that your company’s name
is clearly labeled on the inside of each box or shipping crate. These crates can sometimes become damaged in
transit and it could be a disaster if the container is damaged and no one knows
where the contents belong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think About What You
Want To Accomplish With Your Trade Show Exhibits<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure that you understand what you want to get out of
the expo. Many businesses set vague goals — that is, if they set any at
all. If your goals are something like
“capture more leads,” sit down and think about what this really means. How many leads to you want to capture? Do you want to get 10? Or is 200 a more reasonable number? Also consider the strength of the leads. It’s not enough to capture leads without
qualifying them first. A cold lead is as
good as no lead so make sure that your leads actually have a reason or a need
for your company before you spend hours following up once you get back into the
office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Good On Your
Promises<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’ve promised to send an attendee information about
your company, make sure that you actually do it once the event is over and the
trade show exhibits are packed away. If
you promise to send something and don’t actually do it, many customers will
assume you don’t want their business and will move on to your competitor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if you didn’t promise information, you should still
follow up with people you met at your trade show booth. If someone filled out a lead card, but it
didn’t seem like they were a hot lead, make sure that you call to check in
every once in a while. They were interested
enough to visit your booth at the event so it’s possible that their needs could
change in the future. Take care to not seem over-aggressive, however, since
aggressive tactics can turn customers away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While these tips aren’t complicated, they are extremely
important if you want to maximize sales from a trade show marketing event. Use these, but realize that they’re not the
only things you should be doing. Sit
down with your staff and see if you can come up with other tasks that can help
ensure your event is a success.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-30050510038067620082014-05-05T09:00:00.000-05:002014-05-05T09:00:02.593-05:00Welcome to our new website!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgFJHg2PENLA7Tt89uzT2rp5yvMn8gq1pbi43X_hdHNWqHKtPB2XVsFfuDC34fr2AGI8ljE8158tK5j-FDwPMydesbAHTvVhXcuDefyBYRSpzbBNAa1Btlb4XQ4QGtlVO_PZbflpIzxDw/s1600/webshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgFJHg2PENLA7Tt89uzT2rp5yvMn8gq1pbi43X_hdHNWqHKtPB2XVsFfuDC34fr2AGI8ljE8158tK5j-FDwPMydesbAHTvVhXcuDefyBYRSpzbBNAa1Btlb4XQ4QGtlVO_PZbflpIzxDw/s1600/webshot.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Take a break from the ordinary with miles of beautiful river, family attractions and some heartland history. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Kankakee County is known for its scenic beauty, affordable accommodations and Chicago Bears RC Cola Training Camp. </span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
But did you know it has a <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_listings.cfm?p=Hist" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_listings.cfm?p=Hist" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Historic Church Tour</a>, <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=501678&cd=160" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=501678&cd=160" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Barn Quilts</a>, <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=501496&cd=7" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=501496&cd=7" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Frank Lloyd Wright</a> houses, <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=501485&cd=86" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=501485&cd=86" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">water park</a>,<a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_listings.cfm?p=Out" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_listings.cfm?p=Out" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">championship fishing</a>, <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_listings.cfm?p=Out" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_listings.cfm?p=Out" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">delightful outdoor activities</a> and <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=530765&cd=456" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/member_details.cfm?id=530765&cd=456" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">skydiving</a>? </div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<h2>
<b>See Some of the New Items to Our Website:</b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Build My Itinerary</li>
<li>Group Travel Planning</li>
<li>Enhanced Calendar of Events</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Corbel, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
See what adventures await you in Kankakee County! Our redesigned website includes a section just for <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/groups.cfm" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/groups.cfm" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">travel group</a>s. See the <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/group_itineraries.cfm" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/group_itineraries.cfm" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank" track="on">sample itineraries</a> to enhance your visit and take advantage of all of the wonderful things to see and do in Kankakee County. Visit our newly designed <a _mce_href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #004db4; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 77, 180) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">website</a> or call 800-747-4837 to request your free information.</div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-62845784020289255802014-04-21T09:30:00.000-05:002014-04-21T09:30:00.798-05:00Reaping the Benefits of Vacation Packages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnncI9GsYgLK6cJF2_sZIu9mmx_SC8JCrjqgc5iOC-w-u5tOg4lKC6nmenDYVOx-NUe2dfTH0LgEEaeUwVTCdU5pvcyV1TMELQRfMLPxL4TwPQbxtvjG3O1CwNVCv8rxZc65SNClID4kg/s1600/canoe_shutterstock_1375464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnncI9GsYgLK6cJF2_sZIu9mmx_SC8JCrjqgc5iOC-w-u5tOg4lKC6nmenDYVOx-NUe2dfTH0LgEEaeUwVTCdU5pvcyV1TMELQRfMLPxL4TwPQbxtvjG3O1CwNVCv8rxZc65SNClID4kg/s1600/canoe_shutterstock_1375464.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For travelers who
like to plan ahead and manage their costs, vacation packages represent an easy
way for travelers to book a flexible combination of flight, lodging, rental car
and local attractions at one rate, on one website with a few clicks of the
mouse.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The benefits to
hotels of offering vacation packages, however, often go unrecognized:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An average booking
window that is more than double that of a standalone hotel reservation;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An average length of
stay that is more than 120 percent longer than a standalone hotel reservation;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">50 percent fewer cancellations than standalone hotel
bookings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Increased opacity to
preserve rate integrity</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In Jacksonville, a market that
is driven largely by its submarkets, hotels were unaccustomed to utilizing
packages because they assumed they were too far from the airport for their
offerings to be effective. By
experimenting with the package path, one hotel ultimately grew its business by
20 percent and became one of Jacksonville’s top producers. While packages are not the lion’s share of
this hotel’s business, you can be sure they’re not interested in giving up
those incremental room nights either.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s imperative for hotels to use market-specific demand
data, like that offered by Expedia market managers, to identify and address any
unfulfilled demand that could be best-served with vacation package offers.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, if 15
percent of shoppers in a given market are looking for four-night packages, 15
percent of any area hotel’s bookings should be for four nights. If a hotel’s booking metrics don’t reflect
market averages, the hotel can adjust their package offerings to capture that
lucrative guest. Offering discounts on a
fourth night might convert three night shoppers into a four-night guest and
capture the four-night shoppers along the way. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need help designing your package? Contact the <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">sales staff</a> at the Kankakee County CVB for more information.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-25272887032416059092014-04-07T10:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T10:00:00.802-05:00Buses are booming; are you ready?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUugDQVwuxOE6Ah9Mc2-lD5rYYMqNEz7xKT1MVNF1B_shwpUyzCMR3Paw8ux2YG3lMCeEDFoACuKuMU9sixTbbHxdtXLa1QSSFUWih9-DsI2v8dHh8ENYmW4K7MfRsegqk0sZtMB-GqCD4/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUugDQVwuxOE6Ah9Mc2-lD5rYYMqNEz7xKT1MVNF1B_shwpUyzCMR3Paw8ux2YG3lMCeEDFoACuKuMU9sixTbbHxdtXLa1QSSFUWih9-DsI2v8dHh8ENYmW4K7MfRsegqk0sZtMB-GqCD4/s1600/images.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="articledescription"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="articledescription"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The
number of people riding buses continues its recent upward trend, the American
Bus Association said in its "Motorcoach Census 2013" report out
recently. Despite the name, it actually looks at 2012 figures, and finds a 1.7
percent hike in passenger trips on buses, making it nearly 6 percent higher
than three years ago. Read the <a href="http://strongmail1.multiview.com/track?type=click&eas=1&mailingid=2090463&messageid=2090463&databaseid=Mailing.DS90463.2090463.74512&serial=17133677&emailid=sales@visitkankakeecounty.com&userid=33027977&targetid=&fl=&extra=MultivariateId=&&&2029&&&http://www.buses.org/files/Foundation/Census2013.pdf">full
report</a> or a chart of the <a href="http://strongmail1.multiview.com/track?type=click&eas=1&mailingid=2090463&messageid=2090463&databaseid=Mailing.DS90463.2090463.74512&serial=17133677&emailid=sales@visitkankakeecounty.com&userid=33027977&targetid=&fl=&extra=MultivariateId=&&&2030&&&http://www.buses.org/files/Press%20Releases/2014/14-03-18-ABAF-2013-Census-Shows-Motorcoach-Industry-Healthy-Vibrant-Growing.pdf">basic
figures</a>. </span></span><br />
<span class="articledescription"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="articledescription"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">But how can you be sure your event or attraction is motorcoach friendly? In order to draw more of this business, see if you can answer these questions about your attraction or event:</span></span><br />
<span class="articledescription"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><b>ATTRACTION CRITERIA</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Do you have motorcoach parking? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Is there somewhere for the driver to rest away from the motorcoach?</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">If an on-site lounge is unavailable, do you provide complimentary meals or drinks </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">for the drivers? </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Is it easy for motorcoaches to maneuver in and out of the parking facility? </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Will the group have to walk far? </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">How many bus parking spaces do you have? </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">How is this communicated? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Communicated through a greeter, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">available online, or via telephone hotline? </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Can you provide directions to nearby fueling, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">dumping or maintenance facilities?</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">EVENT CRITERIA</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Does the event have a history of drawing groups? How many? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Is the event motorcoach friendly? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does the event treat bus drivers and group escorts—free </span>admission? </span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">A dedicated driver area?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Prize drawings for drivers bringing the most groups? </span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Do you have dedicated parking areas for motorcoaches? Free? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Are embark/disembark points close to the event entrance? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Can nearby hotels accommodate a motorcoach group? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Can the event handle passengers being dropped off 55 at a time?</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Keeping these things in mind can help make you more attractive to motorcoach groups. For more ideas, <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">contact the Kankakee County CVB.</a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="articledescription" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"></span></span><br />Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-34642237972557481082014-03-21T09:30:00.000-05:002014-03-21T09:30:00.624-05:00Kid's Expo this weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqqR-HgrD3Q4PL4lbG2NnBII6RivtyYF4-3P2ug6hyL-jPWqs-fGGHVln98O-4glmtrgXLbszjTBs0oJJQnE3JuK15UI_TAFwYjxwYpRFWmpaUVv-K1jQwEZs8yHbQbiVcNaz4hEvt8tj/s1600/MarchCoverCurrent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqqR-HgrD3Q4PL4lbG2NnBII6RivtyYF4-3P2ug6hyL-jPWqs-fGGHVln98O-4glmtrgXLbszjTBs0oJJQnE3JuK15UI_TAFwYjxwYpRFWmpaUVv-K1jQwEZs8yHbQbiVcNaz4hEvt8tj/s1600/MarchCoverCurrent.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Kankakee County CVB attended is attending the <a href="http://www.familytimemagazine.com/expos-seminars/kids-expos/" target="_blank">Kid's Expo</a> in Tinley Park this weekend, March 22 & 23. The attendance is comprised of families and groups looking for kid-friendly activities. The two-day event is filled with special demonstrations, fun games, music and unique displays to showcase different vendors. This one-of-a-kind indoor show allows vendors like the Kankakee County CVB to show all Kankakee County has to offer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The CVB would like to extend a special thanks to all our partners that are helping man the booth with us; </span><a _mce_href="http://www.exploration-station.org/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.btpd.org/exploration_station.php" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank" track="on">The Exploration Station</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">, </span><a _mce_href="http://www.kvpd.com/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.kvpd.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank" track="on">The Kankakee Valley Park District,</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><a _mce_href="http://www.thelegendssportsplex.com/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.thelegendssportsplex.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank" track="on">Legends Sportsplex</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> and the </span><a _mce_href="http://www.communityartscouncil.org/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.communityartscouncil.org/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank" track="on">Community Arts Council</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-41457011076352028572014-03-07T09:30:00.000-06:002014-03-07T09:30:00.270-06:00Heartland Travel Showcase, March 7-9, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCAUrq65An8v1nDD5SRH-uy02Gn5ptBQLnjeYAYbe6-3N5NFCkS-EY85KJ4wC7LUhKhUP_dRJEY5JQnQqctOJ_D_RLKl-srdyTEMOlKriFm3cpwD_dvTKiUhso91JvQpYHswRJZ7h-fOM/s1600/heartlandlogo_bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCAUrq65An8v1nDD5SRH-uy02Gn5ptBQLnjeYAYbe6-3N5NFCkS-EY85KJ4wC7LUhKhUP_dRJEY5JQnQqctOJ_D_RLKl-srdyTEMOlKriFm3cpwD_dvTKiUhso91JvQpYHswRJZ7h-fOM/s1600/heartlandlogo_bw.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kankakee County CVB will be attending <a href="http://www.heartlandtravelshowcase.com/aws/OHTRV/pt/sp/heartland_home_page" target="_blank">Heartland Travel Showcase in Ohio</a> this weekend. This showcase invites <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">tour operators from North America that</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"> run tours to the Heartland region to </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.222223281860352px;"> meet one-on-one with vendors like the CVB, to showcase their attractions. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">More than 100 operators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada will be on hand at </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">Heartland Travel Showcase.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.222223281860352px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">Unlike many other shows, Heartland Travel Showcase allows the Kankakee County CVB to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">bring experiences right to the buying floor and build relationships directly with tour operators. In addition to personal appointment times with operators, we can showcase our area to a variety of groups during the open floor times. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Group travel is strong in the Midwest, according to Heartland Travel, 92% of operators reported more customers in 2013 over the previous year. Heartland Travel also reports an average of $33,000 is spent per each motorcoach visit to an area. This includes money spent on lodging, dining, tickets to attractions/events, fuel and retail sales.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">Contact the Kankakee County CVB</a> to get more information on group travel.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;"><br /></span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-28744322063136492162014-02-24T09:15:00.000-06:002014-02-24T09:15:00.432-06:00One size does not fit all!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvq49UyXuopO92IJh4-l3WdUSSgko8U0A3Eqq6ZVitwNxXEUFCjrPg2NahDR2w-H2qez7Q2Cx5V8mfEUZXfDhQ4Z16-Yqu4B91v0QSHcAwKp-UPg33G_WDLV8jLwpI8eKhyphenhyphendWsWlo30fd/s1600/meeting+from+istock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvq49UyXuopO92IJh4-l3WdUSSgko8U0A3Eqq6ZVitwNxXEUFCjrPg2NahDR2w-H2qez7Q2Cx5V8mfEUZXfDhQ4Z16-Yqu4B91v0QSHcAwKp-UPg33G_WDLV8jLwpI8eKhyphenhyphendWsWlo30fd/s1600/meeting+from+istock.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;">When it comes to meetings, one size does not fit all.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;">Before you book your venue, consider how people will be arranged in the space. For example, 250 people can comfortably stand in 1500 square feet (a room roughly 42 ft. x 35 ft.), which is great for a reception, but classroom seating would only allow 85 in the same space and 125 for a seated dinner at round tables. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><a href="http://www.banquettables.pro/space-and-capacity-calculator" target="_blank">Space and Capacity Calculator</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;">This </span><a href="http://www.banquettables.pro/space-and-capacity-calculator" target="_blank">calculator</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;"> will calculate the capacity of a banquet hall, wedding hall, or meeting room in many setup scenarios. It will also calculate space needed for a specific amount of people. You can also find out how many trade show booths will fit in a space, or how much space is needed. One thing to note, the calculator will not take into account odd shaped rooms. Also, remember to subtract the square footage of dance floors etc.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;">Need help calculating the size you will need? </span><a href="mailto:vicki@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">Vicki Layhew</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.631999969482422px;">, our Sales and Marketing manager can assist you with site selection issues when you use the CVB to plan your event. Call 800-747-4837 or <a href="mailto:vicki@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">email</a> her today!</span></span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-44848817862892985512014-02-17T09:06:00.000-06:002014-02-17T09:06:00.218-06:00New Publications<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The rebounding economy has seen a resurgence in group travel. To meet the needs of this market, the Kankakee County CVB has publications tailored to consumer leisure groups and the group travel planners seeking new experiences for their travelers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTSPjGa6ZM61uPOyPUBhwQ_le89iyiCtjsUBykAnpf9Dv1Wr_9wMMEDfvpgO4-iyzbRh52dGXlWjOURkUAJxFCQOy_Cv-ri8iG7zjxfjkdiHttHjFoBzRVlEMeQZJrSqdyf6PpjM2EjJJ/s1600/2014+group+travel+guide+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTSPjGa6ZM61uPOyPUBhwQ_le89iyiCtjsUBykAnpf9Dv1Wr_9wMMEDfvpgO4-iyzbRh52dGXlWjOURkUAJxFCQOy_Cv-ri8iG7zjxfjkdiHttHjFoBzRVlEMeQZJrSqdyf6PpjM2EjJJ/s1600/2014+group+travel+guide+cover.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">Travel planners can create their next trip with our Group Travel Guide where you can find bus-loads of discoveries. From a B. Harley Bradley House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, French Heritage Museum, Barn Quilt tour, mystery dinner theater, antique shops to a 4,000-acre State Park. Groups can combine stops at different attractions to customize their personal itineraries.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicT8ptPIotkUvp_iUs3Z6KJiRYnY_xUDoBzW0mWc2HNezNGx9creKnq3KswQt71BDmitHVK4-KUEfoXQQ83S1Xhu5q4Hp9ioBGNYO6IL4ABpb9jw3JJNn0LZPJ10ka9En-IpxQcBMB0s5s/s1600/HistChurKankakee_cover_lores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicT8ptPIotkUvp_iUs3Z6KJiRYnY_xUDoBzW0mWc2HNezNGx9creKnq3KswQt71BDmitHVK4-KUEfoXQQ83S1Xhu5q4Hp9ioBGNYO6IL4ABpb9jw3JJNn0LZPJ10ka9En-IpxQcBMB0s5s/s1600/HistChurKankakee_cover_lores.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">Groups and consumer leisure travelers have asked for unique history, so the Historic Churches of the Kankakee Area was created. Visit our historic churches on this self-guided walk-and-drive tour. Six historic churches surround the courthouse in downtown Kankakee and the others are a short drive away. The nearby Riverview Historic District includes Frank Lloyd Wright's early Prairie Style architecture.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-_qgbF8ycJMe1EXvKOMznzZexa_T2QFD38gEmRejPRM_AukTadTTr1rUQeeCXL9NiWF_NjogYDcCANzGuJ2B7CNfcDjTscu-9IMk-9BLFHJ5K9HJm5YzZLZOurL6ZHvMJ8vHMXQf_NxQ/s1600/2012+BQ+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-_qgbF8ycJMe1EXvKOMznzZexa_T2QFD38gEmRejPRM_AukTadTTr1rUQeeCXL9NiWF_NjogYDcCANzGuJ2B7CNfcDjTscu-9IMk-9BLFHJ5K9HJm5YzZLZOurL6ZHvMJ8vHMXQf_NxQ/s1600/2012+BQ+cover.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Barn Quilts of Kankakee County is now 50 barns strong! Experience this country-wide phenomenon! Colorful quilt patterns displayed on barns throughout the county and each barn's pattern reflects on the life of families that have lived there. This award winning guide </span><a href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/_data/files/2014%20Gov%20Conf%20winner.pdf" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">recently received two honors</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> from the Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />Our seasoned sales and services team are available to assist you. You may order any of the above guides <a href="http://www.visitkankakeecounty.com/forms/index.cfm?pageID=62&formID=D7C09F9E-C30F-88A8-B3FEA2B6FAA28F74">here</a> or <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com">contact a sales associate</a> for more details.</span></div>
</div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-19107486493544187102014-02-03T09:05:00.000-06:002014-02-03T09:05:00.239-06:00Baby Boomers and Group Travel, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIifEg48F1xLb8CczeJPf-ZPPeCV8zrNatodPiYczg-2fav1xyXESmPQGXSBmcA67it2_3ZUwGEzIuph5bADcHk79gNzWKmJxUcpUvgJjOS9NCco42hc2UE50tToyOp1p7cno6G-fNZ8/s1600/man_with_dog_Photoxpress_2459305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIifEg48F1xLb8CczeJPf-ZPPeCV8zrNatodPiYczg-2fav1xyXESmPQGXSBmcA67it2_3ZUwGEzIuph5bADcHk79gNzWKmJxUcpUvgJjOS9NCco42hc2UE50tToyOp1p7cno6G-fNZ8/s320/man_with_dog_Photoxpress_2459305.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As promised, here is the second part of our article on how Baby Boomers are affecting group travel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
8. <b>Boomers like creature comforts.</b> This fact, according to Malott, actually keeps boomers from booking the exotic locales they profess to like. Day puts a slightly different spin on the issue. "A tent is OK," she said, "but it better have a great view and great food. Even if you're in the wilderness, luxury is being served a delicious meal without having to lift a finger." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Accommodations should "reflect the experience of a place without being down and dirty," she said. Boomers don't want a generic-style hotel, but they demand the amenities they are accustomed to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9. <b>Boomers are time deprived.</b> To get relief from their stressful schedules, boomers vacation at spas where they can do absolutely nothing but be pampered. Or they may go to the opposite extreme, choosing adventures that are physically or mentally challenging - or both. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Group travel is turnkey travel," noted the Senior Network's Day, so the boomers' time deprivation can be a boon for tour operators. Letting somebody else deal with all the details is very appealing, she said, but the hang-up for boomers is trust. They wonder whether they can rely on somebody else to plan their kind of trip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When booking travel, boomers also need time-saving devices. They like 800 numbers, the Internet, videos and virtual reality because they offer convenience and interactivity. Their predilection for technology can reduce travel suppliers' costs for agents' commissions and printing and mailing brochures. However, it also means call centers must be staffed to meet whenever boomers call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Internet use is so common among Mature Traveler readers, editor Malott automatically lists website addresses along with phone numbers. Day pointed out that boomers use the Internet more for information gathering than booking. "It's human nature to want to feel connected to what you're about to sign up for," she said. However, she added, boomers also like the freedom of not involving other people when they are exploring a subject. Their attitude is, "When I've decided, I'll initiate the next move."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10. <b>Boomers will pay for luxury, expertise and convenience. </b>ATM fees, nannies and bottled water prove boomers are willing to pay for what they want. Mancini noted, "Boomers are willing to do things for themselves, if it's a hobby or if they think it won't require too much effort, but they really like to hire others to do it for them because it implies status." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Day added, "When boomers travel, they want to do it right. They still look for a bargain, but a bargain to them means getting a good price on something of great value."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Organized group travel becomes valuable to boomers when it's a physically or mentally challenging adventure, but they don't have the skill level to do it themselves. Or when safety and cost make traveling with a group more practical. "You get to an impasse where you need the experts to facilitate the experience," noted Day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">To attract boomers, tour operators must emphasize their expertise. They must add value boomers can't get on their own. Guides must become like personal trainers and demonstrate the skill and knowledge boomers will respect and pay for. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">11. <b>Boomers are skeptical of institutions and individuals. </b>With Viet Nam and Watergate as touchstones, who can blame this generation for lacking trust? As a function of their distrust, boomers are not joiners. They are less involved with alumni groups, civic organizations and museum societies than their predecessors, so these traditional sources of group business may be less viable in the future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Because they are skeptical, boomers actively research their travel options, so suppliers must expect a lot of information gathering before the buy decision. Public relations efforts that impart third-party or expert endorsement help break through boomers' skepticism. NTA focus groups in 1997 and 1998 said ads in local newspapers and word of mouth were the best sources of information and persuasion for travel products. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In marketing materials, patting oneself on the back too vigorously is sure to raise boomers' suspicions and hackles. Companies hoping to build long-term relationships must not promise more than they can deliver because failure to perform undermines boomers' trust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">12. <b>Boomers like to associate with people like themselves.</b> As noted earlier, boomers do not identify with people older than themselves. According to Day, one of the questions uppermost in their minds when they purchase travel is, "Who is going to be on this trip? Is it going to be people like me or a bunch of stodgy, gray-haired people?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Day said boomers look for outfitters or operators who "share my values,"so they are very selective about who they'll use. She added, "They want an interactive feeling with the outfitter . . . where there's equality between boomers and the leader."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The industry can respond to these needs by not mixing age groups in the same tour and using younger images and words in their marketing materials. They should stress the flexibility and participative nature of the experience as well as hype the expertise of their staff and guides. Environmental and social awareness will strike a responsive note in some boomers, so they should be highlighted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">13. <b>Boomers are not homogenous.</b> While boomers identify themselves as boomers, they are not a single group. In terms of life stages, boomers may be the least homogenous generation to date. There are childless-by-choice boomers, others with new babies, others with grandchildren and some with both. Fifty year olds who are retiring and others starting new careers or returning to college. Empty nesters downsizing their lives, parents who can't get their Gen Xers out of the house and others raising their grandchildren. These variations affect spending habits, the amount of time available for vacations and with whom boomers travel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There is also a dichotomy between older and younger boomers. For those born between 1946 and 1955, Viet Nam was the defining event of their lives. For those who came later, it was Watergate. When older boomers finished college, jobs were plentiful and interest rates low. Younger boomers faced recession and 21% interest. The older group, the first to benefit from women's movement, tends to be more career-oriented. The younger ones experienced the down side of women's lib - the higher divorce rate. They also felt they never got as much attention as their older siblings, so they are more family-oriented. According to Mancini, older boomers, including himself, "thought our parents stuff was corny and stupid." Younger boomers, who watched Donna Reed and Ozzie and Harriet reruns on TV, he said, "unleashed this whole wave of nostalgia." All these factors too impact travel behavior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If they keep these 13 truths about boomers in mind, marketers will be more successful in pursuing this large, but complex market segment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
For more information on group travel, <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">contact the Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau.</a></span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-71683434806280474932014-01-20T09:00:00.000-06:002014-01-20T09:00:01.614-06:00Baby Boomers and Group Travel, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbNhGpEYS8rt3nNYNh_VjDfXfWh-YHTdhhdAXVIOhOON4tlaUfM-m-SXZBDTawTcXFD5FrRFkrshOMxYvl1F0-GFGZvz4AqbdbPXIc08PmK7iwcBuE2tvsM7C-aIYL8UqCCiwDX6JLOiM/s1600/couple_senior_iStock_000021577716XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbNhGpEYS8rt3nNYNh_VjDfXfWh-YHTdhhdAXVIOhOON4tlaUfM-m-SXZBDTawTcXFD5FrRFkrshOMxYvl1F0-GFGZvz4AqbdbPXIc08PmK7iwcBuE2tvsM7C-aIYL8UqCCiwDX6JLOiM/s320/couple_senior_iStock_000021577716XLarge.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">The Kankakee County CVB is aware of how the 78
million baby boomers are an enormous bulge in the U.S. population. Born between
1946 and 1964, they changed American business at each stage of their
development. Diaper services, Barbie dolls, Rolling Stone magazine, relaxed-fit
jeans and SUVs - all were created in response to boomers' needs. Now it's the
travel industry's turn to be affected.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
Baby boomers today are between 35 and 53 years of age. They are in their peak
earning years, and the oldest of them have reached the prime age for travel.
Boomers, however, are significantly different travel consumers than their
parents, and experts expect them to maintain those differences as they age.
Travel industry organizations that fail to identify and heed the boomers'
unique qualities could soon find themselves in serious trouble. <br />
<br />
Group travel seems especially vulnerable. Although Robert Whitley, president of
the U. S. Tour Operators Association, said, "The escorted tour market is
alive and well," National Tour Association research among boomers
indicated potential problems. According to the NTA, "The overwhelming
perception of tour packages by NTA's focus group participants was
negative."<br />
<br />
To help marketers more effectively target boomers today and in the future,
Travel Marketing Decisions interviewed a series of experts to gather insight
into this enormous and potentially lucrative segment. Below are 13 truths about
baby boomers and their marketing implications for the industry. <br />
<br />
1. <b>Boomers consider travel a necessity, not a luxury.</b> This is good news
for the industry on two counts. First, the sheer number of boomers traveling
will cause business to grow. Second, since travel is a necessity, boomers
engage in it no matter how scarce their time or money. Their travel behavior,
therefore, is less dependent on life stage or the economy.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Boomers have traveled more than their predecessors.</b> While their
parents first visited Europe when they retired, boomers criss-crossed the
Continent as students. Adele Malott, editor of The Mature Traveler newsletter,
noted, "When we began we had to educate our readers because they hadn't
traveled much. Now we've eliminated much of the primer stuff."<br />
<br />
As experienced travelers, boomers seek out more exotic destinations or more
in-depth ways of experiencing familiar places. "You're not likely to see
them on bus tours of the U.S. because they already did that on their bikes or
with backpacks," said Courtney Day, senior vice of the Senior Network, a
New Jersey research and marketing firm that specializes in the older consumer. <br />
<br />
Been-there-done-that is one reason adventure travel appeals to them, Day said.
She defined adventure travel as either physically-challenging outdoor activity
or an off-the-beaten-path destination. Because boomers are interested in
bettering themselves, intellectually stimulating travel also holds appeal. <br />
<br />
3. <b>Boomers see themselves as forever young.</b> "Adult teenagers"
is the way Phil Goodman, co-author of the Boomer Marketing Revolution,
described boomers. A consultant to the NTA on its boomer market assessment
plan, Goodman noted, "Boomers will always try to act much younger than
their chronological age." As a result, boomers still want to fulfill the
dreams they had at 25 - even if their bodies aren't always willing or able. <br />
<br />
This cult of youth also affects boomers' choice of travel suppliers and
companions. They don't identify with people older than they are, after all,
their credo was "Don't trust anybody over 30." Now well past 30
themselves, boomers still don't want to be like their parents. That means
mixing the two generations in the same tour group probably won't work. Early
bird specials and senior discounts hold no appeal for boomers because,
according to Day, because they won't think of themselves as seniors until they
are in their seventies.<br />
<br />
She said some companies may have to reinvent their images because boomers don't
want anything that smacks of being stuffy or stodgy. More youthful models
should be selected because boomers relate better to younger images. The word
maturity should be replaced with experience and education. <br />
<br />
4. <b>Boomers want to have fun.</b> It's not surprising that adult teenagers
put a premium on having a good time. Although fun, like beauty, is in the eye
of the beholder, Day said companionship, stimulation and the cultural/social
experience make travel fun for boomers. She added, "Part of the enjoyment
of the experience is knowing it's unique -that's part of the rush."<br />
<br />
Day said tour operators and destinations can increase the fun factor by
encouraging boomers to bring friends with them. A group isn't a negative when
it's a group of their own friends, she said. <br />
<br />
Day also pointed out, "Fun that is too difficult to obtain isn't fun at
all." This again underscores the importance of making the travel purchase
quick, easy and convenient. <br />
<br />
Finally, boomers desire to have fun and make money is driving some career
changers into the travel industry. According to Marc Mancini, president of Marc
Mancini Seminars and Consulting, these entrepreneurs are carving out niches
that will have a major impact on the business. <br />
<br />
5. <b>Boomers demand immediate gratification.</b> Unlike their Depression-era
parents, boomers grew up in times of plenty. Easy gratification bred a desire
for still more and quicker rewards. As a result, boomers don't wait to take the
trips they want. If they don't have the money, they just use plastic.<br />
<br />
These free-spending ways, however, could spell trouble for the travel industry,
if boomers must work longer because they didn't save for retirement. The hot
stock market of recent years may have changed the outlook for many, but Mancini
thinks a major market correction could keep boomers from enjoying their paper
profits.<br />
<br />
Boomers' instant-gratification lifestyle means they don't book travel as far in
advance as their predecessors. But when they are ready to book, they want to do
it NOW.<br />
<br />
Finally, it's important to remember boomers invented the question, "Are we
there yet?" They have little patience for long, uninterrupted stretches of
road time. Tour operators should plan shorter hauls or more frequent stops or
provide entertainment such as personal video screens or Internet access.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Boomers are not passive. </b>They want a measure of control in designing
their travel experience, and, once on the road, they want to choose their
activities. "If you tell them they're going to do A, B and C, they might
want to do E or F," noted editor Malott. The challenge for travel
marketers is to make it clear their product offers plenty of options.<br />
<br />
Boomers also want more interactivity in the travel experience. According to
John Stachnik, president of Mayflower Tours, "They don't want to hear
about panning for gold, they want to do it." Stachnik called it sightdoing
vs. sightseeing. <br />
<br />
Malott said boomers also crave the "local human touch." That means
activities such as "meet the people" dinners or playing golf with
locals will be highly attractive tour elements.<br />
<br />
7. <b>Boomers think they are special.</b> Always been a force to be reckoned
with, they are very demanding consumers. "Whether they go budget or
luxury, boomers tend to want the best," said Day. <br />
<br />
Boomers like things that reinforce their feelings of specialness, so they are
attracted to credit cards that offer preferred theater seats or tours that give
them after-hours access to a museum. They also want products designed to fit
their individual needs, so customization, or the illusion of it, is important.<br />
<br />
What boomers definitely do not want is herding. To many boomers, group travel
has the faint aroma of a cattle drive. This has prompted some operators to drop
tours from their names. Others have pared down group size, either by forming
smaller groups or breaking larger groups into subsets which engage in different
activities simultaneously. <br />
<br />
Day suggested tour operators offer products that provide group transportation
and accommodations, but impose a less rigid structure on travelers' daily
movements. "I can see a much more à la carte approach that allows more
independence," she said. The experts also recommended promotional
materials down play the group aspect of tours and emphasize the benefits to
individuals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
Please look for the second part in this series or <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">contact the Kankakee County CVB</a> for more info. </span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-86208068884399045342014-01-06T08:57:00.000-06:002014-01-06T08:57:00.474-06:00Get Creative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCicKd3ZeF6EuZkGibOkYjkwpPxvj_OKlzG0TZ_9zL2Ez9Miyyyoke1UIBsNxoOD5O-zMbykH7PXIX3ROGrBU7BCw92p47Sgr0PXbfb9DggKKn4VIYbgWEG8z9V4K3vb2iUn6-CkYIlge4/s1600/blank_paper_iStock_000020658968Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCicKd3ZeF6EuZkGibOkYjkwpPxvj_OKlzG0TZ_9zL2Ez9Miyyyoke1UIBsNxoOD5O-zMbykH7PXIX3ROGrBU7BCw92p47Sgr0PXbfb9DggKKn4VIYbgWEG8z9V4K3vb2iUn6-CkYIlge4/s320/blank_paper_iStock_000020658968Large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /> Smart hoteliers pay attention to what’s happening outside of their own markets and comp sets to identify emerging travel trends and opportunities. Our last article focused on trends for 2014 and now let's look at packages. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Packages don't have to offer a discount to be attractive. Consider some of the trends on the rise and incorporate them into your packaging. For example, making a creative hands-on package to include a cooking or art class. Offer a unique opportunity with a behind-the-scenes tour of a factory or business. You could also work with an event to offer a VIP experience. None of these have to provide a discount, just an experience travelers want to try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /> In Jacksonville, a market that is driven largely by its submarkets, hotels were unaccustomed to utilizing packages because they assumed they were too far from the airport for their offerings to be effective. By experimenting with the package path, one hotel ultimately grew its business by 20 percent and became one of Jacksonville’s top producers. While packages are not the lion’s share of this hotel’s business, you can be sure they’re not interested in giving up those incremental room nights either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />It’s imperative for hotels to use market-specific demand data in addition to trends when creating packages. For example, if 15 percent of shoppers in a given market are looking for four-night packages, 15 percent of any area hotel’s bookings should be for four nights. If a hotel’s booking metrics don’t reflect market averages, the hotel can adjust their package offerings to capture that lucrative guest. Offering discounts on a fourth night might convert three night shoppers into a four-night guest and capture the four-night shoppers along the way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Major vacation markets are naturals for package offerings, but with a little creativity and some solid trend data from experienced market managers, hotels in markets big and small will find that when it comes to packages, there’s something for everyone. Please <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">contact the Kankakee County CVB sales departmen</a>t for package ideas and to post your packages online.</span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-2022358309063336252013-12-23T08:30:00.000-06:002013-12-23T08:30:00.874-06:00Six Travel Trends to watch in 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xLEUQaBs98FOqW4gPHAzNG1UY8BmYI_bhuNnCr67vtz-Z2SfTow1JcRgoVOJfa3-ZwcjG0zZzNayOfAIhbkIGZfbEXWeDkc0Ymzfb_7JclzZhVcNaCQvM3Iw2CWSU_cTm5osP5rPcZUI/s1600/couple_retired_iStock_000011255991XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xLEUQaBs98FOqW4gPHAzNG1UY8BmYI_bhuNnCr67vtz-Z2SfTow1JcRgoVOJfa3-ZwcjG0zZzNayOfAIhbkIGZfbEXWeDkc0Ymzfb_7JclzZhVcNaCQvM3Iw2CWSU_cTm5osP5rPcZUI/s320/couple_retired_iStock_000011255991XLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Six-Travel-Trends-to-Watch-in-2014-Beyond">The Travel Market Report</a> has sent out surveys an the results are in for what they say are the travel trends to watch in 2014. Not only are baby boomers still going strong, but indulgence and adventure travel is on the upswing. Check out these trends:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trend #1. Impact of millennials</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trend #2. Seniors are unstoppable</span><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trend #3. Rise of conspicuous leisure</span><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trend #4. Growth of ‘creative tourism’</span><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trend #5. Strength of luxury travel</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trend #6. More multigenerational travel</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px none; color: #444444; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Please visit their <a href="http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Six-Travel-Trends-to-Watch-in-2014-Beyond">website</a> for more information on these emerging trends. Contact the <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com">Kankakee County CVB</a> for more information.</span></span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-83427996556368818852013-12-09T09:07:00.000-06:002013-12-09T09:07:00.071-06:00Problem Resolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBwtG6aUMArOr99elOTpnLDpAMtrnlP6D-wPVZcBUwA7_diYeKe5J14e8nftVz9eLrJCsUeYBlmaUbFamarCk0PyAP3NejDVYhn_HOJGRGOBBwncbZuIC42eG693x5qc2ss0q2nNxMUEA/s1600/Photoxpress_2488106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBwtG6aUMArOr99elOTpnLDpAMtrnlP6D-wPVZcBUwA7_diYeKe5J14e8nftVz9eLrJCsUeYBlmaUbFamarCk0PyAP3NejDVYhn_HOJGRGOBBwncbZuIC42eG693x5qc2ss0q2nNxMUEA/s320/Photoxpress_2488106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We have all had bad customer service experiences; whether we were the client or the business owner it is never an issue we want to happen. However, dealing with problems head on and satisfying the customer is well worth the effort to train your staff to deal with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="NoSpacingChar"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">When a negative
experience happens, fix it before check-out</span></b></span><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Leisure guests are
willing to pay a 20 percent premium for best in class issue resolution, while
business travelers are willing to pay a 11 percent premium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Of guests who shared
their complaints with the hotel, seven out of 10 were not satisfied with the
result.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Eight out of 10
leisure guests are influenced by well handled issue resolution when rebooking.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="NoSpacingChar"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Experience
creates a channel through brand ambassadors<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Three out of five
leisure guests are highly likely to rebook after a good experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">95 percent of guests
discuss noteworthy good and bad hotel experiences.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="NoSpacingChar"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Meet
business guests' needs, drive loyalty<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Business guests rank
personal experience as their top purchase driver.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A satisfied guest is
loyal and will spread the word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="NoSpacingChar"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Issue
resolution and room amenities are "aces" for leisure travelers<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="NoSpacingChar"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Over half of
memorable leisure stay moments are experienced due to customized support,
largely driven by attentive staff.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span class="NoSpacingChar" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Leisure travelers not
only say they want current room amenities, it's a feature they're willing to
pay for</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Taking the time to deal with an issue and create a satisfying resolution not only means a happy customer, but one that will help promote your business as well. Keep an eye out for more Kankakee County CVB blog articles and have a great holiday!</span>Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-55004718165400060682013-11-25T08:30:00.000-06:002013-11-25T08:30:01.128-06:00Easy Customer Tracking; 1 - 2 - 3<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W8_Hib7NHAjO9bdxr9-pq2aJI7cm4JqnciT5eGJ5mW8dR3OvChAF0n3GnOJi8Jz5Hmkud0Yo0dak4Svte0ODrGZnNja2t4jZsXvRdRmRa_Vj73iNdsWG1BkC85TLtB7O2KIkZNdhn8Ja/s1600/bears+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W8_Hib7NHAjO9bdxr9-pq2aJI7cm4JqnciT5eGJ5mW8dR3OvChAF0n3GnOJi8Jz5Hmkud0Yo0dak4Svte0ODrGZnNja2t4jZsXvRdRmRa_Vj73iNdsWG1BkC85TLtB7O2KIkZNdhn8Ja/s400/bears+map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geocoding Bears Fans from Database</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever wondered why they ask you for you zip code when you make a purchase at your favorite store? Unlike loyalty programs where a customer submits a profile and is identified with every visit to the checkout by scanning a card to compile a history of purchased items, geographical tracking is a way of seeing where your customers come from.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;">Geographical tracking, or g</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;">eocoding is the process of turning an address, city, state, zip or postcode into mappable coordinates.</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"> This enables you to find trends, hot spots and cold zones in your marketing efforts. Where should you target next? What items are popular in a certain area. These questions are easy to answer when you visualize your sales data using a database mapping software.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"><a href="http://batchgeo.com/">Batchgeo</a> is a free online mapping service that can create pinpoint maps based on your customer database; whether is includes full addresses, just city/state or even if it is only zip codes. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;">You can even use databases you probably already have; attractions can use visitor sign in sheets, businesses can use customer databases and inquiry requests.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="mailto:info@visitkankakeecounty.com">Kankakee County CVB</a> uses geotracking to measure ad results, see trends for a particular publication or track visitors to a specific event. Try it today to see how geotracking can help your business!</span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-14497691428664918152013-11-11T09:30:00.000-06:002013-11-11T09:30:00.708-06:004 Social Media Strategies for the Holiday Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcx56GPbE13xEztMnfqeR9mZdDRT1EG66t8CJO0Il_gKc72cszEdujTrXdaw4Vy1pPC8PcGxtFe4-Y-NdIovpIUAlw_mPAdGref5SgHrwxrGeb2moJYnwuo8yLqMSg-BYFKuAbdCDpgqFg/s1600/Christmas+Promotion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcx56GPbE13xEztMnfqeR9mZdDRT1EG66t8CJO0Il_gKc72cszEdujTrXdaw4Vy1pPC8PcGxtFe4-Y-NdIovpIUAlw_mPAdGref5SgHrwxrGeb2moJYnwuo8yLqMSg-BYFKuAbdCDpgqFg/s320/Christmas+Promotion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">As the
holiday season quickly approaches, you may be asking yourself, how do I promote
my hotel during the holidays? Using social media, of course! The opportunities
to capture the holiday traveler's attention are nearly unlimited. <a href="http://www.hsmai.org/details.cfm?id=http://cdn.hsyndicate.com/econnect/4062722.html">In this video</a>, explore four strategies to engage and convert your social media
audience this season, including design tips, promotion suggestions, and video
concepts.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holiday-ify
your profiles' designs. Add a little flare to your profile icons and cover
images to stay fresh for your audience.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create
a holiday focused promotion or contest. Take advantage of Facebook's recent
relaxation of the promotion guidelines, or go all out and create an interactive
custom application to build engagement and increase your social reach.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leverage
repeat-posts with holiday themes. The holidays are a time for fun and
impatience. Help build excitement (and repeat engagement) with a countdown of
your own, rewarding users and encouraging them to share.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create
holiday themed videos. Let your employees share their excitement and voice by
shooting short clips of them giving thanks this season, and upload them to Vine
or Instagram. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever
you decide to do, don't be afraid to have fun. You can entertain and engage
while building a qualified fan-base that will help your business will into the
new year. For more ideas, <a href="mailto:sales@visitkankakeecounty.com">contact the Kankakee County CVB</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-45910607568697570122013-10-28T15:46:00.000-05:002013-10-28T15:46:00.467-05:00Social Media Marketing Tips, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsbGF6WJjBuJd1N4GROU5-a9keb09LC-ce4grZUhUcq2Jhd7mK1yGH3Nvx2QrXswcHPmqHj0u9OyDkakeyOSt4njZ0SoCdxpcqhXl8sTfF32c9BmrkNqvEi009g0DWbfJ6G1VNdwKn8ts/s1600/Photoxpress_7218470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsbGF6WJjBuJd1N4GROU5-a9keb09LC-ce4grZUhUcq2Jhd7mK1yGH3Nvx2QrXswcHPmqHj0u9OyDkakeyOSt4njZ0SoCdxpcqhXl8sTfF32c9BmrkNqvEi009g0DWbfJ6G1VNdwKn8ts/s320/Photoxpress_7218470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In July 2012 Americans spent 74.0 billion minutes on
social media via a home computer, 40.8 billion minutes via apps, and 5.7
billion minutes via mobile web browsers, a total of 121.1 billion minutes on
social networking sites. Social media can be an important part of your marketing
strategy. Here are 10 more tips you can use to build strong relationships using
social media marketing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>11. Add a Welcome Video</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Include a welcome video to your landing page. Use it to
tell new members about your company, and what social networking sites your
company can be found on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>12. Tag People and Pages on Facebook</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When posting or commenting on Facebook, be sure to
utilize the status-tagging tool. Using status tagging will alert the person or
company when being mentioned. Simply use the @ symbol in front of the person or
company’s name; yet another easy way to encourage interaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>13. Have your Facebook fans tag your photos</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Any live events you attend or hold be sure to take plenty
of photos. Upload the event photos to Facebook, and ask your fans to tag any
photos they are in, or recognize some one they know. Not only does this
encourage more fan interaction, but also it will help your company gain more
exposure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>14. Perform Facebook activities as your Facebook fan page</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What better way to network on Facebook, than interacting
with others on Facebook as your fan page? Putting your name out there for
people to see, more attention will be drawn to your Facebook page, thus driving
more fans to your page.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">15. Sweepstakes and/or Contests</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sweepstakes and contests are the fastest way to increase
your fan base. In order for this build up on of fans to be successful, you will
need to utilize the Facebook app tool. The guidelines will provide all the
information you need to run a successful promotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">16. Take notice of your most active fans</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Take notice of your most active fans, and take the time
to say thank you. Use incentive programs such as “Fan of the Week/Month.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">17. The Facebook Questions Feature</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Facebook questions tool is an excellent, and simple
way to interact with existing fans, and encourage some new fans. Poll your
audience using a fun, relevant interesting, and intriguing question. This is a
fantastic way to encourage interaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>18. Utilize Facebook Ads</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The best sources of traffic you can purchase are Facebook
ads. Not only does it provide you a high <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">volume of traffic, it will also allow you to see how many
users are in your target market area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">19. Network with other website Administrators</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Networking with other website administrators will allow
you to build relationships with them. This will then open the doors for you to
discuss ways to work together. Thus, increasing your social media marketing
traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">20. Continue to Learn and Grow with Facebook</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Facebook is another excellent communication tool. Your
company can use Facebook for public relations purposes, research and
development, recruiting, sharing information, etc. Make the most of this
incredible media-marketing tool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.business2community.com/social-media/20-facebook-and-social-media-marketing-tips-to-grow-your-business-0231725#3l4vPkLh6vEAf5sR.99" target="_blank">Read more here!</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-63348536548711984942013-10-14T15:34:00.000-05:002013-10-14T15:34:00.539-05:00Social Media Marketing Tips, Part 1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht81o2uC3Nf4V1vaWoUHA9_5ExQ_76WakJGxf08S44Vm4Vqo4JoaEFcQhc-1Rb1XlzvPeJj2D433xtdHt-jAnhsiyACKZsCmMT8e21o_5DYflkJ-3FWsbLQP6VAK8D2EdLAH9Oz6_pohzo/s1600/Photoxpress_3857147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht81o2uC3Nf4V1vaWoUHA9_5ExQ_76WakJGxf08S44Vm4Vqo4JoaEFcQhc-1Rb1XlzvPeJj2D433xtdHt-jAnhsiyACKZsCmMT8e21o_5DYflkJ-3FWsbLQP6VAK8D2EdLAH9Oz6_pohzo/s320/Photoxpress_3857147.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">47% of American adults used social networking sites like
Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Classmates.com in 2011, up from 26%
in 2008. On social media sites like these, users may develop biographical
profiles, communicate with friends and strangers, do research, and share
thoughts, photos, music, links, and more. Here are 10 tips you can use
immediately to build strong relationships using social media marketing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. Utilize Your Family and Friends</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask for the support of your family and friends. Encourage
them to become fans on your Facebook page or followers of you on Twitter. Also
ask your friends and family to spread the word about your fan page.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. Facebook Plugins</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Incorporating a Facebook plugin into your website and/or
blog is an easy and effective way to drive more fan traffic to your Facebook
fan page.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. Other Social Media Networks</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook is not your only tool for social media
marketing. Be sure to keep your Twitter followers and LinkedIn group members in
the loop.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. Your Newsletter Subscribers</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Send out an invitation in your newsletter to your
subscribers. Invite them to join to your Facebook fan page, your Twitter
following, even your LinkedIn group. Your newsletter subscribers are an
excellent source of fan traffic that will actively help spread the message of
your company.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. Make More Use of Traditional Advertising Methods</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When using traditional advertising for your business,
such as television ads or radio ads, mention your social networking sites.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6. Physical Location</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interaction with your fans and customers is key. Provide
details on where your shop/office can be seen or visited.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>7. Your Existing Customers can be a Useful Tool</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use your existing customers to fuel social media
marketing. Inform your existing customers about your website, blog, Facebook
page, and other social networking sites being used. Getting your existing
customers involved uses the most powerful tool of all, word of mouth.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>8. Special Incentives will spark the interest of new fans</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using special incentives to get new fans on Facebook,
followers on Twitter, or group members on LinkedIn. Offer special incentives
such as access to exclusive content, your fans, customers, followers,
advocates, etc, love feeling as though they are receiving something special.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>9. Stimulate Interaction</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, it is important to remember Facebook is not the
only useful site in social media marketing. Use several social networking
channels to keep your fans engaged and informed about other sites to obtain
information about your business.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>10. Ask Your Facebook fans to “Like” and/or “Share” your
material</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asking your Facebook fans to help spread your message and
“share” your material with their friends and family</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Word of mouth is an effective, easy, free way to continue
your social media marketing.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch for more tips in our next installment. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please
<a href="mailto:nancy@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">contact the CVB</a> for more information.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516843421886037479.post-64751141035687403512013-09-30T09:33:00.000-05:002013-09-30T09:33:00.567-05:00What to do before and after an Event: It’s not just about Tradeshow Exhibits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcihkCzq1CdUrJDHWdMW3aoxGK3bEpha6Bg0nirpiZMkNcTqhyphenhyphenzGCVZgao41sTGW7P44F9nx-wlW2m_J-pliT-ExkPj4KrML3_mvUJki6b3MuuVib5PCZGce3NW_ws0Az8Pg9kQM1ve5R/s1600/IMG00184-20130215-1521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcihkCzq1CdUrJDHWdMW3aoxGK3bEpha6Bg0nirpiZMkNcTqhyphenhyphenzGCVZgao41sTGW7P44F9nx-wlW2m_J-pliT-ExkPj4KrML3_mvUJki6b3MuuVib5PCZGce3NW_ws0Az8Pg9kQM1ve5R/s320/IMG00184-20130215-1521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re attending a marketing event to promote your property or attraction, the work can begin
well before the event and isn’t finished when the trade show exhibits are
packed away. Follow these tips for beforehand and afterwards and you can help
ensure that you have a successful trade show, whether you’re a complete newbie
or a veteran marketer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Sure Your
Materials Are Being Shipped To The Correct Place</span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can't always bring all your materials with you when going to an event, so having your trade show materials shipped to the right
location is vital.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If any of the
shipping details are incorrect, such as the zip code or city, or even which
hall at the convention center, you could be stuck at the event without your
trade show exhibits. Additionally, check that your company’s name or booth location
is clearly labeled on the boxes so that the staff knows exactly where it should
be placed for installation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s also a good idea to make sure that your company’s name
is clearly labeled on the inside of each box or shipping crate.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These crates can sometimes become damaged in
transit and it could be a disaster if the container is damaged and no one knows
where the contents belong.</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think About What You
Want To Accomplish With Your Trade Show Exhibits</span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure that you understand what you want to get out of
the expo. Many businesses set vague goals — that is, if they set any at
all.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your goals are something like
“capture more leads,” sit down and think about what this really means.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many leads to you want to capture?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you want to get 10?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or is 200 a more reasonable number?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also consider the strength of the leads.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s not enough to capture leads without
qualifying them first.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A cold lead is as
good as no lead so make sure that your leads actually have a reason or a need
for your company before you spend hours following up once you get back into the
office.</span><ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Good On Your
Promises</span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’ve promised to send an attendee information about
your company, make sure that you actually do it once the event is over and the
trade show exhibits are packed away.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you promise to send something and don’t actually do it, many customers will
assume you don’t want their business and will move on to your competitor.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if you didn’t promise information, you should still
follow up with people you met at your trade show booth.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If someone filled out a lead card, but it
didn’t seem like they were a hot lead, make sure that you call to check in
every once in a while.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were interested
enough to visit your booth at the event so it’s possible that their needs could
change in the future. Take care to not seem over-aggressive, however, since
aggressive tactics can turn customers away.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While these tips aren’t complicated, they are extremely
important if you want to maximize sales from a trade show marketing event. Use these, but realize that they’re not the
only things you should be doing. Sit
down with your staff and see if you can come up with other tasks that can help
ensure your event is a success.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more ideas contact our <a href="mailto:vicki@visitkankakeecounty.com" target="_blank">sales department.</a></span></div>
Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10775761758478702279noreply@blogger.com0