CHICAGO – Continuing to deliver on his commitment to grow the tourism industry and create more good jobs in the Springfield area, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced today a $100,000 Private Sector Tourism Grant to the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to host the Inaugural O’Reilly Auto Parts Midwest 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals® at the Illinois State Fairground on June 23-24, 2007. Estimates for hotel rooms generated by this event range from 1,000 in year one to 2,500 by the third year. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Bureau of Tourism is administering the grant.
“Tourism is thriving today, and more and more people have taken notice of all the diverse attractions we have to offer. We are always looking at ways to add to Springfield’s impressive roster of attractions and venues. This grant will help us continue to capture the attention of people across the country, bring more visitors to Central Illinois and help create more good jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The inaugural O’Reilly Auto Parts Midwest 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals® is expected to draw more than 1,000 4-wheel drive vehicles with leading aftermarket parts and accessories manufacturers, top racing events and family entertainment. Jamboree events will include the professionally judged Show-N-Shine competition, Mickey Thompson Tires Tough Truck® Challenge and Mickey Thompson Tires Burnout Competition, Dodge Monster Truck Thunder Drags®, Sergeant Smash Monster Truck rides, championship mud drag racing and more. The inaugural event in Springfield will join a seven-show series of events spanning from Texas to New England.
“Our appreciation goes to Gov. Blagojevich and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism for funding this program that promises to make a huge impact in the Springfield area,” said Tim Farley, Executive Director of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We understand the importance of bringing events to Springfield, both for the economic benefit to the city and for the entertainment benefit to our community.”
“Tourism is the number one industry in Springfield, and Gov. Blagojevich and I are ensuring that more people than ever before are becoming aware of the many historic sites here in President Lincoln’s hometown. This grant demonstrates that we’re a destination for auto enthusiasts, while also bringing new people to Springfield and exposing them to our historic sites, restaurants, shopping, cultural events and other visitor attractions,” said Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin.
In 2005, travel to Illinois directly accounted for more than 300,000 Illinois jobs that generated nearly $7.9 billion in payroll. The economic impact generated by travel spending in 2005 in Illinois grew to a record high $26.2 billion, an increase of 6.8 percent, generating $1.84 billion in state and local tax revenue, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. This added an additional $74.2 million in state and local taxes in 2005.
The expenditures made by travelers in the Springfield area exceeded $320 million in 2005, which was a new record.
“The tourism industry continues to grow in importance for the Central Illinois economy, and we’re always working to build on our successes to attract more local, national and international visitors across the region. Gov. Blagojevich will continue making these kinds of important investments that are making a difference in Springfield, adding more revenue to the local economy and helping create better jobs,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.