Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention adopts New Business Model
Non-membership model offers communities broader tourism marketing opportunities.
The
Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau (
WCNCB) has adopted a membership model that will provide marketing opportunities for a larger segment of businesses that cater to visitors in the northwest suburbs.
“The bureau is changing to a non-membership organization to allow for more hospitality-related businesses to be represented by the
WCNCB. The new model also will enable us to provide a more inclusive benefit to the communities that fund us,” said David Parulo, interim president. Previously the
WCNCB charged membership fees for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and sports venues. In the upcoming year, these entities no longer will pay a member fee but they will be provided with opportunities to purchase enhanced exposure on the bureau’s website and in the visitors guide.
The bureau will continue to be funded through a state grant, the Local Tourism & Convention Bureau grant program, and by the local communities it represents, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood, and Wood Dale. These communities provide a portion of their hotel tax collections to be used for tourism marketing. In return, the
WCNCB promotes their communities and local hospitality businesses and provides leads to their hotels for future business.
Parulo added that, according to other bureaus, this type of membership model with its stronger marketing presence is helpful in bringing in additional visitors. Promoting the entire region, rather than a limited number of members, provides the potential visitor with a total picture of all the amenities that are available within a destination. “Our mission is to attract group events and leisure visitors to enhance the economic development of the Chicago Northwest area. To do that, we need to show visitors all the wonderful hotels, restaurants, and attractions that are waiting for them when they travel to our area.”
About the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention BureauThe Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau represents seven communities in Chicago’s northwest region as the official destination marketing organization for this area. Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau is the first convention bureau in Illinois to earn the prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) accreditation developed by Destination Marketing Association International. More information about the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau is available at
www.ChicagoNorthwest.com or by calling (800) 847-4849.
Press Contact:
Dave Parulo, Director of Community Outreach
Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau
1375 E. Woodfield Road Suite 120, Schaumburg, IL 60173
dparulo@Chicagonorthwest.com T: 847-490-1010 F: 847-490-1212
