There are a variety of partnership opportunities with the Heritage Corridor CVB. Below are a few of the initial membership benefits.

Referrals
Corridor Bureau staff refers only partner services and products to the region’s 5.4 million annual visitors as well as travel writers, tour operators, event planners, meeting planners and residents relocating to the region.

Bureau Publications
Partners receive a free listing in the annual Visitors Guide as well as other specialty publications including area and shopping guides. The Corridor Bureau distributes 75,000 Visitors Guides annually. Partners are also provided with bulk quantities for distribution at their site. The Bureau publishes two events guides each year.

Brochure Distribution
Partner literature is displayed at all Corridor Bureau sponsored Visitor Centers.

Media Exposure
Partners benefit from the advertisements and media coverage generated by the bureau. The Corridor Bureau advertises in national and regional media such as AAA Living, Midwest Living, Chicago Tribune, WGN Radio, Midwest Meetings, golf publications and many other advertising venues. The Bureau also generates editorial coverage of local attractions and businesses through an aggressive media relations strategy aimed at reaching travel writers, editors and publishers.

Internet Presence
Partners receive a free listing on the Bureau’s website at www.HeritageCorridorCVB.com. The Bureau also provides a free link to the member’s home page (it is recommended that the link be a reciprocal link to provide the most coverage). Partners may also receive a personalized listing on the Illinois Bureau of Tourism’s website www.enjoyillinois.com and access to 1-800-2CONNECT, Illinois’ tourism referral system. The Bureau submits member listings when applicable for inclusion in various state and regional publications.

Membership Events
Partners have the opportunity to network and highlight their businesses at partnership events. Special training seminars are held periodically.

Special Promotions
Partners have the opportunity to participate in special programs, events and tours geared toward attracting visitors to the area. Past promotions have included Starved Rock Wine Fest, LaSalle County’s Flock to the Rock, Utica's Nouveau Wine Festival, A River Thru History and Heritage Tractor Adventure.

Sales Leads & Contacts
Over 3600 group leads and contacts are available at no charge on disk or CD or can be purchased for a minimal cost on labels. These leads and contacts represent major tour operators, motorcoach companies, group leaders, bank clubs, and park districts. Sports and meeting planners lists are available periodically upon request.

Receptive Services/Sales Department
The Bureau’s sales department offers comprehensive receptive tour planning to motorcoach companies, tour operators and group tour planners. Partners have the opportunity to be included in overnight, day and specialty packages and itineraries offered to the group travel market. The sales department actively promotes Corridor events and members at various domestic and international trade shows, market places, travel shows, sales missions and through hosting FAM“familiarization” tours throughout the year.

Cooperative Advertising
Partners can stretch their advertising dollars and reach a larger audience for less money by sharing advertising with other partners and the Bureau. These co-ops are offered exclusively to partners: Partners also have advertising opportunities in

Bureau Publications
Identifying Decal and Logo
Partners receive window decals to identify them as a partner of the Bureau. Partners also receive camera ready artwork of the Bureau’s logo, which can be reproduced on letterhead, business cards and other promotional materials to show your partnership with us.

Tax Deductible
Partnership with the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau is a tax deductible business expense.

For partnership information please contact us at
815-727-2323.