Tourism Industry News

Hello Industry Partners,

Fall is such a beautiful time in Indiana. The leaves are finally turning gold and red. Our orchards and U-pick farms are bustling with activity. The Indiana Tourism team has been working hard on the fall campaign and there are just a few days left to vote for the Best of Indiana. This year the categories are Best Breweries, Best Hiking Trails and Best Main Streets. Just go to VisitIndianaFall.com to check out the nominees in each category and cast your vote. Voting closes on November 3. Winners will be announced on WISH-TV on November 4th. 

We’ve started to build the framework for the new Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC). Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)’s Global Tourism and Destinations team and Longwoods International led nine listening sessions across the state. Thank you to all who participated.

I just returned from a German/Swiss sales mission with Great Lakes USA (GLUSA). Our office is a member of GLUSA, which is a group of state tourism destinations that work to promote the Great Lakes region internationally. I met with travel agents, conducted many training sessions with the travel agents and met with consumers while in those two countries, learning a lot about what the international traveler is seeking from our state.

October was also a busy month for the rest of the team. Amy hosted filmmakers at a VIP screening at Heartland International Film Festival. A few days later, she hosted seven filmmakers from out of state, one from out of the country, on a mini-tour. They stopped at the Bloomington Academy of Film and Theatre and were then hosted by Visit French Lick West Baden at the resort. Noelle attended the Sr. LPGA Championship at French Lick Resort. She also represented Indiana Tourism at the Safe and Accessible Streets meeting and attended the Ohio River Recreational Trail state planning session. Kyle was asked by our blogger, Marilyn Culler, to give a presentation as part of the Media Fellows program at DePauw University. He talked about digital media and blogging. Josh hosted two group tour subcommittee meetings. They are planning for 2020 and 2021. Great ideas are coming from this group. Look for more information from your regional representative. 

The holidays are rapidly approaching and on November 5 we begin our Instagram campaign - 12 Days of Giveaways. The campaign was a great success in 2018, generating 391,191 impressions and over 12,517 entries with and engagement of 31,189. Thank you to all of you who are participating! 

I would like to wish everyone the best in all their endeavors for the rest of the year. 

All the Best,

Misty