01/25/2008 – The Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (EACVB) has actively worked with the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (ICCVB) in partnership with the Illinois Bureau of Tourism (IBOT) to facilitate a collaborative effort to market the State of Illinois as a sports destination. Sports Illinois, a committee of ICCVB, is a joint effort of Convention Bureaus from around the State of Illinois responsible for attracting sports tournaments and increasing the awareness of Illinois as a superior destination for events.

Pete Garlock, Director of Sales for the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been named the new Chair of Sports Illinois. “Pete has proven to be a great leader in the sports market with his efforts here in the Elgin Area. This summer he was responsible for securing the American Fastpitch Association Girls 14 and Under Tournament in July with almost 50 teams and the Senior Softball Eastern National Championships in August with almost 100 teams. Pete has the ability to lead Sports Illinois and create even stronger presence for the organization among tournament directors and national governing bodies”, states Kimberly Bless, President and CEO of the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau as well as the Chair for the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

“I have spent the last few years on the committee listening, observing, and learning. Now I am ready to take the ball and run with it” states Garlock, “I am very excited about this opportunity to showcase the great venues, fields, and indoor facilities that Illinois has to offer. I know tournament directors will not be disappointed.” continues Garlock. Sports Illinois, under the new chair, will be hosting a meeting at the Illinois Governors Conference on Tourism in February of 2008.

ICCVB is a state association of Illinois based Convention and Visitors Bureaus. ICCVB and its members, in collaboration with the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, oversee the initiatives of various sales committees that collectively work together to attract group and leisure business to Illinois.

The Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau serves 13 communities in Chicagolands 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 Chicagolands Northern Fox River Valley.

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

Media Contact:
Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
77 Riverside Drive
Elgin, IL 60120
(800) 217-5362 or (847) 695-7540

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