City and Village Leaders To Unite For The Fourth Annual Mayors’ Luncheon on Tourism

Do you want to hear the leaders of 10 different communities tell how tourism is helping them through these tough times?

The Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (EACVB) will play host once again on Wednesday, March 10 to Mayors, Village Presidents, Village Administrators, and Economic Developers for the EACVB’s Fourth Annual Mayors’ Luncheon.

The luncheon provides invaluable information to business leaders and the general public about the different communities, represented by the Bureau, regarding tourism and economic development.

This year the Bureau is providing industry expert, Jan Kostner, for their special guest speaker. Jan is the Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Kostner will share how her direction has helped Illinois achieve outstanding state tourism records, with nearly 91 million domestic visitors and more than 1 million international visitors.

Mayors from ten different communities, represented by the Bureau, will be on hand to present their message on tourism, as well as goals they have in regards to economic impact, and be available to answer questions from the attendees. The Public is encouraged to attend.

The Fourth Annual Mayors’ Luncheon will be held at the Centre, Elgin starting at 11:30 am and concluding at 1:30 pm. The cost is $35.00 per person for lunch and program. Please call the Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to reserve your seat at (847) 695-7540. All payments must be received before the luncheon date.

The Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau serves 13 communities in Chicagoland’s Northern Fox River Valley including Bartlett, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Hampshire, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Marengo, Sleepy Hollow, South Elgin, Union, and West Dundee. Our purpose is to encourage, foster, promote and stimulate conventions and tourism in Chicagoland’s Northern Fox River Valley.

Please contact us at (847) 695-7540 or at www.northernfoxrivervalley.com for more information.

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About the Speaker: Jan Kostner
Deputy Director
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism

As deputy director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism (IBOT), Jan V. Kostner spearheads the state’s tourism industry marketing and development efforts, contributing to sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents. Her direction has helped Illinois achieve outstanding state tourism records, with nearly 91 million domestic visitors and more than 1 million international visitors spending more than $24 billion on transportation, lodging, food, entertainment, recreation and incidentals in 2004.

Kostner has implemented a wide array of successful state tourism initiatives since her appointment in March 2003, including the creation and launch of “Illinois. Mile After Magnificent Mile,” the state’s new brand positioning--a fresh approach that has eclipsed awareness levels achieved by previous campaigns in its first year alone. She spearheaded the communications effort for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum opening in April 2005, positioning the museum and city of Springfield as a premier tourist destination. The effort generated national and international media attention and attracted more than 500,000 visitors in the first year alone. She also led the redesign and relaunch of the Illinois Web site, enjoyillinois.com, along with various niche sites that serve the sports, group tour and meeting planning industries in Illinois, to more effectively meet the needs of the changing tourism marketplace.

To help improve the state’s economic returns, Kostner makes it a priority to travel throughout Illinois on a regular basis to partner with tourism industry professionals in the development of tourism infrastructure and opportunities. These efforts have supported major tourism development and attractions statewide, including the internationally celebrated Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield and the unveiling of Jane, a rare juvenile T-Rex, in Rockford. Also under her tutelage, IBOT has implemented innovative partnerships, such as that with industry leader Expedia, that increase Illinois’ exposure nationally and directly impact travel bookings.

Kostner also oversees IBOT’s grant program, through which the Bureau returns approximately half of its overall budget to Illinois organizations and communities each year. During her tenure, IBOT has provided grants to help a variety of Illinois tourism groups succeed, including the Western Illinois Regional Tourism Development Office to help implement the Illinois Great Rivers Bike Ride; the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association to support marketing activities increasing awareness of Illinois as a premier wine-producing state and tourist destination; and the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau to help implement a tourism management associate’s degree program at John A. Logan Community College.

Prior to joining IBOT, Kostner was a senior vice president for Chicago-based public affairs and strategic communications firm Jasculca/Terman, where she was responsible for strategic planning, new client development and company marketing. While there, her accomplishments included overseeing event marketing for various high-profile corporate, non-profit and government clients, for which she earned several industry awards, including five Publicity Club of Chicago Golden Trumpets.

Kostner holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from New England College in Henniker, N.H. She resides in Chicago.