With the weather turning warmer and the school year finishing up, many are having thoughts of summer and travel. So are we. To start, the Quad Cities is fortunate to have Dave Herrell, the president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, who has again been named chairman of the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor […]
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With the weather turning warmer and the school year finishing up, many are having thoughts of summer and travel. So are we.To start, the Quad Cities is fortunate to have Dave Herrell, the president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, who has again been named chairman of the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (ICCVB).Mr. Herrell, who serves as the current ICCVB chairman, will begin his third year of leading the nonprofit when the fiscal year 2023-2024 begins, effective July 1. “I am deeply honored to serve as chairman of ICCVB and work alongside my industry colleagues to drive our visitor economy forward,” Mr. Herrell said in a news release. Mr. Herrell is one of the most effective tourism leaders in the Midwest, and his leadership will only improve the Quad Cities region’s effectiveness with this industry which sometimes doesn’t get the recognition or support that it deserves.“Tourism continues to move our regional destination forward in so many ways and supports local jobs,” said Mr. Herrell in a May 2022 QCBJ article. “Its positive impact on our economic prosperity, community programming and brand positioning is vital to the future of the Quad Cities. Tourism and the nonresident revenues including the significant tax revenue it creates for the public sector directly benefits quality of life and quality of place for our residents.“Ernst and Young published a report in March projecting a robust hospitality sector in 2023: Leisure demand, group business and travel are poised to remain strong. Consumer surveys show that most people are planning at least one leisure trip over the next six months. Rising inflation might mean that consumers will make different choices when they travel, but demand still remains strong. As for group business travel, key statistics — such as a convention center booking increase of 13% in 2023 relative to 2022 — point to a strong year for group travel. According to a survey conducted by American Express, 65% of respondents expect their spending on meetings and events to increase in 2023.This report bodes well for the industry and region.We are looking forward to more regional tourism and hospitality success with the Viking Cruise Lines, TBK Sports Complex expansion and the Visit Quad Cities’ Art Trail. We do hope that residents within the region don’t take for granted some of the region’s other mainstays like Mercado on Fifth in Moline, the John Deere Classic, RAGBRAI (which ends in Davenport in July), Quad City Times Bix 7 and QC Air Show.Let’s support these important opportunities and make the region the tourism and hospitality envy of the Midwest.
