Visit Lake County’s executive director delivered the agency’s annual update to the county board, reporting that visitor spending in Lake County has risen to nearly $2 billion and outlining new marketing, arts and cultural initiatives, and partnerships.

“Just to give you a quick overview on our organization…Our funding sources, we’re very fortunate to receive a state grant. It’s been at 1,500,000.0,” the presenter said, describing the bureau’s mix of state grant funding tied to hotel tax and local matching from community investors and partners.

The tourism agency told the board that the new county line-item support and hotel tax in unincorporated areas helped expand programming this year, including an Arts and Cultural Alliance website called ArtsLink North and an expanded Flavor Fest promotion joining the libation trail with restaurant week. The bureau reported that visitor spending is up more than 7% from the prior year and estimated almost 16,000 tourism-related jobs in the county.

Maureen Reedy, presenting the update, highlighted marketing and outreach plans for the summer and fall, including digital advertising, television spots and a fall “spooks and spirits” campaign built around regional attractions. “We’re almost at $2,000,000,000 in visitor spending,” she told board members, adding that lodging, outdoor recreation and retail are top visitor spending categories.

Board members praised Visit Lake County’s work and asked how to broaden participation in the ArtsLink initiative. Reedy said the agency plans a targeted digital marketing push and requested board members’ help reaching small galleries, dance companies and other grassroots arts groups so they could add listings to the ArtsLink portal.

The bureau also reported on prior ARPA-funded efforts that brought tournament and group business to the county, generating hotel room nights and economic impact, and on a new hospitality “heroes” program recognizing long-serving hospitality workers. The board discussed the local economic impact of tourism and the role county support plays in leveraging state grants and private partnerships.

The presentation concluded with a “save the date” for the bureau’s annual luncheon scheduled for Sept. 4 at the Marriott Lincolnshire and an invitation for board members to promote and support the agency’s seasonal campaigns.

No formal board action was required for the presentation; the item was informational.