Du Page is the new kid on the block when it comes to tourism, said Diana Thomure, executive director of the Du Page Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Some other bureaus outside Chicago, like Greater Woodfield and Greater Southland, have been in the game longer and pose stiff competition, she said, but that`s no reason to sit idly.
Thomure is working to promote Du Page as an ideal spot for business conventions and as a travel destination.
After getting its certification as a state bureau, one of only 35 in Illinois, the new bureau is working to raise money to run the nonprofit office.
The bureau relies upon membership dues, contributions and hotel-motel tax dollars for half its budget. The other half is matched with state dollars through the Build Illinois program. All state money must be used for promotional purposes only, said Thomure.
The bureau raised $50,000 the first year, which was then matched by the state. This year, the bureau`s goal is to raise $250,000, giving the agency a total budget of half a million dollars after the state kicks in.
As part of that goal, the bureau launched a membership drive this month, including soliciting funds from city governments.
”We are getting contributions from Itasca and Willowbrook and will be receiving one from Naperville,” she said. ”We will be approaching most of the municipalities in the county.”
As travelers and business people visit Du Page, not only will hotels benefit but other businesses in Du Page will profit, too, said Thomure. First, there are the purveyors who supply items like paper goods and food to the hotels. Second, other businesses such as gas stations, retail store and service industries (car rental and limousine agencies, for instance) will also profit.
”Our objective is to unite municipalities into one destination, because that`s the only way you`re going to have effective marketing,” she said.
”We are a one-stop shopping service for tourism in the county,” said Thomure. ”If we can package Du Page in a comprehensive way, we have a better chance of bringing more business into Du Page.
”We are the catalyst that will make it happen.”
