IESA Wrestling State Finals to Stay in DeKalb County through 2023

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IESA Wrestlers Will Continue Deciding State Championships in DeKalb County through 2023

Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) announced Monday, April 9th that NIU and DeKalb County won the bid to host the 2019 - 2023 IESA Wrestling State Finals.

"The campus of Northern Illinois University has been the home to the IESA state wrestling finals since 1999," said IESA Executive Director Steve Endsley. "The decision by the Board of Directors to keep the IESA state wrestling finals at the Convocation Center on the campus of NIU through 2023 will insure that the participants and fans can build on the great tradition and support we receive from Northern Illinois University and the community of DeKalb. The support we receive from the DeKalb community is terrific," continued Endsley

"Given the additional wrestlers that will be advancing to the finals because of our new format starting in 2019, the Convocation Center provides ample space for the wrestlers, schools, and parents. Our wrestlers will get a chance to showcase their talent in DeKalb for the next five years. At the same time, I express my appreciation to the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for their interest in and submitting a proposal to host the finals," concluded Endsley

IESA Dates for the next 5 years

March 8 & 9, 2019

March 13 & 14, 2020

March 12 & 13, 2021

March 11 & 12, 2022

March 10 & 11, 2023

IESA had earlier announced that the number of wrestlers competing in the finals will increase from 456 to 608 starting in 2019. That means more hotel room nights, more visitors who will dine, shop and purchase gas, extended hours for the event and an even greater economic impact for DeKalb County in the coming years.

Click HERE to read Debbie Armstrong's Column on the impact of IESA and other March sporting events have on DeKalb County.

The 2018 IESA State Wrestling Finals were decided for the 20th time in DeKalb County March 9th & 10th at the NIU Convocation Center.

4370 fans cheered on 5 - 8th graders competing individually in nineteen weight classes and in the team competition. The two day tournament booked over 400 hotel room nights and had an economic impact of more than $300,000 to DeKalb County.

City of Sandwich To Partner with DCCVB in FY 19

The DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCCVB) is pleased to announce that the City of Sandwich along with the Timber Creek Inn & Suites will be investing partners in the DCCVB. The Sandwich City Council voted unanimously to join the DCCVB at their City Council Meeting on February 12th.

This vote allows the City to invest a portion of the local hotel tax collected from Timber Creek Inn & Suites in the DCCVB. This new investment will also increase the amount the DCCVB receives in State Grant dollars.

“We are excited to be chosen as the tourism bureau for Sandwich,” said DCCVB Executive Director Debbie Armstrong. “We are honored to have earned their confidence and to promote their attractions and events,” Armstrong continued.

Click HERE to read the full press release.

DCCVB Marketing Updates

The DCCVB continues to work on increasing our digital reach. Click HERE or the top image to the right to view our March Digital Marketing Dashboard.

Executive Director Debbie Armstrong writes a column for the Daily Chronicle every 6 weeks highlighting the importance of tourism to our economy. Read her latest column, "DeKalb County Bold Spirits live on WGN radio," along with past columns, DCCVB in the news, and past newsletters on the DCCVB News Page.

The DCCVB is taking over the Enjoy Illinois Facebook Page on April 18th. We'll have 12 posts scheduled throughout the day to get visitors excited to explore DeKalb County.

The Spring Video is now live on dekalbcountycvb.com - click the video to the right to watch it with sound.

The DCCVB is working on producing a Museum and Historic Buildings Brochure to come out late spring/early summer 2018.

DCCVB will also be updating the Bold Spirits Brochure in this year. (Download the current Bold Spirits brochure.)

Illinois Office of Tourism 2017 Year in Review

At the Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism, the Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) shared a great sizzle reel and booklet highlighting the visitor economic impact and IOT marketing impact in 2017 .

Click the image below to download the PDF of the Marketing Year in Review that features Whiskey Acres in the Illinois Made section.

Click the video above to watch the economic impact of tourism in Illinois sizzle reel.

Both the video and the PDF, along with information on the economic impact of tourism in DeKalb County, can be found on the DCCVB website.

DCCVB & Illinois Office of Tourism Brochures

The DCCVB and the Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) have produced several great niche market brochures over the last couple of years and we have them all in one place. Pictured to the right are a few of the latest guides and brochures, including the newest, the Illinois Bike Trails Guide.

The DCCVB, and other certified visitors bureaus from around the state, help the IOT to produce these guides by providing the listing information for the appropriate local businesses and other information as requested.

The DCCVB has a dedicated Brochures Page that has downloadable versions of all available brochures and guides. You can also pick up hard copies at the DCCVB Office between 9 am and 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.

The Spring/Summer Travel Illinois Magazine is now also available to download or pick up in the DCCVB office.

This issue features The Forge Brewhouse in the Craft Root Beer Guide Book section. Click HERE to download the Spring/Summer Issue. Back issues are also available on the DCCVB Brochure page.

Share the DeKalb County Visitors Guide with your patrons.

Click HERE to learn how you can embed it on your website, request physical copies and more.

DeKalb County Attraction News and Announcements

The Forge Brewhouse Taproom in DeKalb is now open. They are also in the process of moving to their new downtown Sycamore location. Congrats to the Forge Team!

The Genoa Guest House is now accepting reservations. This is Genoas's first bed & breakfast, and features three uniquely styled guestrooms.

Congrats to Prairie State Winery on having their Chambourcin Rosé wine named as an Illinois Bicentennial Rosé Wine.

The Sycamore History Museum has transitioned into the DeKalb County History Center.

Whiskey Acre's Nick Nagele was a guest on WGN Radio.

The Egyptian Theatre is featured in the billboard chart topping group GENTRI's music video.

The Sycamore Speedway is #19 in the Chicago Tribune's Bicentennial Must See Sports Bucket List - The DCCVB submitted several local sporting attractions for consideration by the Chicago Tribune and The Sycamore Speedway was selected to make the top 20 list.

The Midwest Museum of Natural History has new hours. The Sycamore museum will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.The Museum will hold a Donation Day on the first Thursday of every month where admission is free.