Great Lakes rides off Brand USA success
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Tourism representatives from Great Lakes USA visited UK travel agents recently to provide updates from the region.
The delegation headed to Limerick to launch the new Shannon-Chicago route to the trade which will commence on 7 June, with visits to Dublin, London and Manchester also taken on the sales mission.
The trip, which has taken place for 13 consecutive years, will be backed by further promotions in 2014 and will see a new website launch soon to promote the area.
In addition the region is gearing up to host Pow Wow in Chicago next year and pre and post fam trips to take place for travel agents. It will also have a booth at the show for the first time in two years, and double the size.
Toby McCarrick, executive director at Great Lakes USA said its trade mission was in addition to increased involvement during World Travel Market and ITB thanks to Brand USA.
“We had our biggest trade shows in nine years with more states involved and saw increases in people coming over,” he said. “We are also working with Brand USA to host 15 travel agents on our fam and Illinois has been thrilled with the results from its campaign with Brand USA.”
The region is also hoping to see a boost in funding from the Government to promote to international markets, with the UK its main target.
Currently Great Lakes is riding off the success of the ‘Lincoln’ movie and is looking forward to the next wave of promotion next month when the DVD is released.
New for 2013 and future focus
- Shannon-Chicago flights from 7 June
- Five tour operators have included the Great Lakes region in their brochures
- Radisson Blu has opened a new hotel in the Mall of America as the shopping centre expands
- Great River Road marks its centenary
- After Ryder Cup was held in Chicago this year, it will return to the region in Minnesota in 2016 and Wisconsin in 2020, boosting its profile as a golf destination
- To build profile as shopping destination with Mall of America and new Rosemont outlet