University Park, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University recently received a $6,000 Local Tourism Marketing Grant from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote visitation and Summer Sol-a-Bration 2010 at the park, located on the prairie landscape of the university. Park staff greeted hundreds of visitors for the event, held June 11, to the nationally recognized park and the Chicago Southland region.
The $6,000 grant was used to purchase print advertising in Chicago as well as lightbox advertising at Chicago’s Millennium Park Metra station, which has 26,000 visitors a day pass through its gates. “This grant from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors’ Bureau made the difference between a “posters in the window” campaign and real advertising outreach for our Summer Sol-a-Bration 2010 at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park this summer,” said Geoffrey Bates, Director and Curator for the park.
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau distributes up to $66,000 annually to Southland municipalities and not-for-profit organizations to promote events designed to draw visitors into the Chicago Southland region for overnight stays. These visitors contribute substantially to the Southland economy through stays in regional hotels, dining at local restaurants, shopping, recreational activities, and services travelers require such as gas, oil, and sundry items.
“The local Tourism Grant program is a way for the Bureau to extend its marketing reach,” said Jim Garret, CDME, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland CVB. “The marketing efforts by our communities – in addition to marketing efforts by the Bureau – help us better promote the many festivals, events, and area attractions throughout the Southland to potential visitors.”
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park continues to offer innovative programming for residents of and visitors to Chicago’s south suburban region. For information on the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University, its collection, programming, or to receive the newsletter LandMarks, visit the website at www.govst.edu/sculpture or contact park staff at (708) 534-4486 or [email protected].
