10/23/2019 | You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive information from the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at enjoyaurora.com.
Aurora Area Tourism Review
Thank you for your continued partnership in Aurora Area tourism. We had a busy and successful first quarter to kick off our Fiscal Year 2020. Please continue reading for our sales and marketing highlights for the quarter.
Aurora Area CVB sports sales reported 7 leads sent, projecting to 3,200 room nights and $688,000 in estimated economic impact.
Pete Garlock, Director of Sales, attended the Connect Sports tradeshow in Louisville, KY, meeting with 43 rights holders of sporting events from across the country. As a member of the Chicago West Sports Group, Pete co-hosted a reception with 10 separate rights holders during the opening night of the event—the only such reception hosted by an Illinois destination.

The AACVB organized housing for the 2019 IWLCA Midwest Cup Lacrosse Tournament for 40 teams resulting in approximately 1,273 total room nights for the tournament weekend, July 12-14, 2019. Teams traveled from 21 states and stayed in 30 different hotels within 7 different CVB service areas. The highest number of stays were grouped within the Aurora Area, totaling 350 room nights at 10 hotels.
The 2019 IWLCA Midwest Cup has been named a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destinations Management , a national trade publication for the sports events industry.

The AACVB also organized housing for the 2019 Heavyweights Without Limits Ultimate Tournament for 21 different teams utilizing approximately 190 room nights. Teams traveled from 12 states and stayed in 8 hotels within 3 different CVB service areas. The highest number of room nights were allotted to the Aurora Area, with 102 nights.
Group Sales Coordinator Lisa Wisner's Highlights for Q1 FY 2020 include:

  • Booked Swanstone Gardens tour for 20 room nights and a matinee performance of Kinky Boots at Paramount Theatre

  • Booked Cedar Valley World Travel, 45 attendees for a day trip to Emerson Creek, Paramount Theatre, and Fox Valley Winery

  • Pending sale on Midwest Bank Club Director's Conference, estimated impact $15,750

  • Hosted Galaxy Tours for a site visit to develop an Aurora Area day trip for Spring 2020

  • Attended Connect Tours in Louisville, KY, meeting with 27 tour operators in separate appointments
Aurora Area CVB marketing for Q1 produced over 9.7 million digital ad impressions, reached 1.6 million social media users, and drove over 150,000 visitors to our website.
 We're seeing consistent year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter growth in our promotion of the attractions & events of the Aurora Area as a leisure destination.
In Q1 2020, AACVB Marketing planned and executed:

  • Chicagoland influencer outreach on behalf of Raging Waves and Paramount Theatre

  • Partnership with Paramount Theatre and Raging Waves to present Aurora Area attractions at the Daily Herald Business Ledger Southwest Hospitality EXPO—Orland Park, IL

  • Local travel media coverage of the Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series Bullriding event and Big Rock Plowing Match at Plowman's Park—Big Rock, IL

  • Guest contributions to EnjoyAurora.com highlighting fall family travel (agritourism, Disney's Newsies at Paramount Theatre) and adult trips (haunted houses in Aurora and Montgomery)

  • Editorial coverage of Aurora Area events and attractions in Chicago Tribune, Group Tour Magazine, Northwest Quarterly, Daily Herald Business Ledger, West Suburban Living, and Chicago Parent

  • Photo/Video coverage of events in Yorkville, Oswego, and at Stuart Sports Complex

  • Destination advertising in AAA Living, American Road, Groups Today, and Midwest Living
2019 Aurora Area Go Guide is Here!
The official visitors publication of the Aurora Area features family fun, festivals & events, arts & culture, and outdoor adventure to pair with destination shopping and dining in our ten communities.

Want to stock the Go Guide at your attraction, hotel, restaurant, or event? Contact James Cardis, Director of Marketing, via email at james@enjoyaurora.com or call 630.256.3193.