Downers Grove 6-20-12

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INSIDE

SPORTS All-Area volleyball team tabbed Page 11

www.buglenewspapers.com

NEWS Rotary GroveFest to offer something for everyone Page 3

Our Village, Our News

JUNE 20, 2012

Vol. 4 No. 29

Targeting

Tourism

Villages realize benefits of local tourism By Robin Ambrosia Staff Reporter

Robin Ambrosia/Bugle Staff

Chicago & Beyond Executive Director Bonnie Heimbach speaks of the local economic impact of ‘heads in beds’ and ‘feets in sheets’ at last week’s Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce luncheon on tourism. Pictured from left to right are Chamber Executive Director Laura Crawford, Downers Grove Economic Development President Michael Cassa, Bonnie Heimbach, and Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully.

While one of the attractions of living in a small town or village is knowing your neighbors, shopkeepers, and fellow residents, villages are realizing the economic benefits tourism brings to their community. In 2010, visitors to DuPage County generated $33.51 million in local tax receipts from travel revenue in 2010 with many local communities reaping the benefits, according to the Chicago & Beyond Regional Tourism office. Local economic impact and job creation were among the topics discussed at last week’s Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce general membership breakfast titled “Capturing Tourism Dollars.” “It would be difficult to

“We like the overnight visitors as it puts heads in beds and feets in sheets.” Bonnie Heimbach, Chicago & beyond Regional Tourism executive director overstate the impact that visitors have on our local economy,” said Michael Cassa, Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation president. “Significant portions of those who eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and attend our events such as GroveFest are non-residents. The village and our local See TOURISM, page 8


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