Welcome to the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau

<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Welcome to the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau

Real People, Real Fun, Real Close - 800-926-CANAL (2262)

To order a guide call:
1-800-926-CANAL (2262)

2009/2010 VISITOR GUIDE AVAILABLE

Joliet, IL - Need a get-a-way but are unable in this economy to travel far? The annual Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitor Guide is ready to assist you in planning your "stay-cation" in the Corridor.

MAPLE LEAF PARK HOSTS APPRAISER SESSION

Nationally recognized art and antique appraiser, Gary Piattoni will conduct four hours of appraisals at Maple Leaf Park in Earlville, Saturday, June 20 from noon until 4:00 p.m. The event is part of the More on 34 events scheduled along Route 34 from Sandwich to Galesburg the same weekend. Piattoni has appeared on ABC's Oprah Winfrey Show and on the PBS Antique Road Show for 13 years. He will be at the private recreation facility during the last day of the miles of sales event.

LINCOLN DOUGLAS COMMUNITIES COMMEMORATE THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATES

From August to October of 1858 Lincoln and Douglas met in seven different cities scattered throughout the state of Illinois to participate in a series of formal political debates that framed the issues which were of critical importance in the conflict over slavery and states' rights. The year 2008 marks the Sesquicentennial of the Lincoln Douglas Debates in Illinois and the communities where the debates took place are planning to commemorate this important occurrence with a series of events throughout the year called "Reunion Tour 2008."

CHICAGO PORTAGE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE TOUR

Friends of the Chicago Portage announce the first in their 2008 series of free public tours of the Chicago Portage National Historic Site. This tour will explore the "Birth Story" of Chicago from the geologic beginnings of the Portage to how it is still functioning in Chicago today.

THE DISCOVERY OF CHICAGO TOUR

Friends of the Chicago Portage invite you to discover the hidden places where Chicago was born. Follow the route of Joliet and Marquette, the first Europeans who discovered Chicago in 1673.

SPRING AND SUMMER EVENTS GUIDE RELEASED

Looking for something to keep you busy this spring season? Grab one of the 2008 Heritage Corridor Events Guides now available at the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau offices/visitor centers. The Guide showcases a variety of festivals and events.

LOCAL TOURISM BUREAU WINS GOVERNORS AWARD FOR MARKETING CAMPAIGN

The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) was awarded the Peer Award for best Media/Marketing Campaign for the "Beyond Expectations... Bolingbrook" holiday campaign. Presented at the 26th Annual Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism, the Governor's Awards program recognizes innovative tourism promotional and marketing initiatives from across the state.

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE WORKSHOP PLANNED - CHAMBER NAME OFFERS CUSTOMER SERVICE WORKSHOP BY CONSTANT TRAINING

Joliet, Illinois. On March 25, 2008, the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau will sponsor a Customer Service Excellence Workshop for their members as well as for the general public at JJC Campus, Joliet. The afternoon session will run from 1:00 PM until 4:30 PM. The registration fee is $69.00 for all Chamber and Bureau members and $79 for all non-members. Chamber and Bureau members sending four or more from the same organization will pay $60.00 each.

CELEBRATING THE DES PLAINES RIVER VALLEY -
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

September 11, 2007 - Willow Springs, IL
Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable offers an unforgettable journey through Chicago's history. Chicago celebrities, storytellers, and natives create an unforgettable journey through Chicagoland's history.

A River Thru History -
The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous

For Immediate Release
Contact: Stan Johnson, Rendezvous Director - 708-937-0009
"A River Thru History - The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous" will be held on September 29 & 30, 2007 in Columbia Woods Forest Preserve on the banks of the Des Plaines River in Willow Springs, Illinois. This is an Early American party with all the trimmings! Free parking is available at the United Parcel Service lot when you enter from 75th Street. A shuttle bus will take you right to the Rendezvous. Admission is $8/Adults, $3/Children 6-12, $4/Seniors, $15/Family Pass. The hours are from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

For more information please visit www.ariverthruhistory.com or call 800-926-2262 or 708-937-0009.

The Rendezvous is back.
Come for the History, Stay for the Music

September 7, 2007 - Willow Springs, IL -

This is the old I & M Canal Rendezvous re-incarnated as "A River Thru History - The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous." This living history event will be held on September 29 & 30, 2007 in Columbia Woods Forest Preserve on the banks of the Des Plaines River in Willow Springs, Illinois and is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday.

A River Thru History -
The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous

August 30, 2007 - Willow Springs, IL

Join your friends at the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) on Saturday September 29 for A RIVER THRU HISTORY, THE DES PLAINES VALLEY RENDEZVOUS at the Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs.

To register, download, complete and return this PDF form.

2007-2008 Heritage Corridor Visitor Guide Ready for Distribution

August 30, 2007 - Joliet, IL
Contact: Mary Beth DeGrush
Phone: 815/727-4635
E-mail: maryde@hccvbil.com
Web site: www.heritagecorridorcvb.com

Fresh off the press, the 2007-2008 Heritage Corridor Visitors Guide will assist in planning your weekend leisure activities. The Illinois and Michigan National Heritage Corridor covers a 97-mile stretch from Southern Cook County in the northeast to Putnam County in the southwest along the I & M Canal. The Corridor includes the communities of Hennepin, Peru, Utica, Mendota, Ottawa, Streator, Channahon, Morris, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Lemont and Countryside. The Visitor guide lists restaurants, lodging, sport facilities, state parks and more!

Tourism Groups Sponsor Agritourism
Workshop in Morris

June 7, 2007- Morris, IL- On Wednesday July 18, 2007, the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) along with the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office will present an Agritourism workshop at the Grundy County Farm Bureau. The workshop will offer insight and education on the rapidly growing industry of Agritourism.

Convention Bureau Plans Trip to Chicago to See
Musical Color Purple

The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is planning a motorcoach trip to downtown Chicago to see the Color Purple. Oprah Winfrey presents this musical about love for a limited engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago.

Convention Bureau Plans Trip to Chicago to
See Musical Wicked

So, you enjoy live theatre – especially musicals. Not sure about driving downtown for a show with the hassles of the Stevenson, parking, and buying the tickets. Well, good news. The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is planning a motor coach trip to downtown Chicago to see Wicked. The musical currently has a limited extended stay in Chicago.

Local Tourism Bureau wins Governors
Award for website

The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) was awarded Best Tourism Website in the State of Illinois. Presented at the Annual Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism, The Governor's Awards program recognizes innovative tourism promotional and marketing initiatives from across the state.

Spring and Summer Events Guide Released

Looking for something to keep you busy this spring season? Grab one of the 2007 FREE Heritage Corridor Events Guides now available at the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau offices/visitor centers. The Guide showcases a variety of festivals and events.