Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 13, 2007 SEVEN WONDERS OF ILLINOIS

From the Southern Illinoisan...

Seven Wonders of Illinois: Public asked to choose the best spots in the state

the southern, by ashley wiehle

Early picks to represent the state in the Illinois Bureau of Tourism's "Seven Wonders of Illinois" promotion make one fact clear: Illinois is an eclectic state.

Where else would a natural landmark such as the Garden of the Gods share a list with Collinsville's 170-foot catsup bottle water tower?

The tourism bureau is inviting public input to choose the Seven Wonders of Illinois, and criteria for the choices are lenient. Nominations can be made for anything uniquely Illinois, be it historic sites, museums, scenic spots or roadside attractions.

Jon Musgrave, executive director of the Williamson County Tourism Bureau, said the promotion is an opportunity for state residents to explore the wealth of options the state offers.

"We've definitely got a lot to choose from," Musgrave said.

Nominations will be accepted through February. Choices will then be divided into brackets by region: Chicago, Chicagoland, northern, central, western, southwest and southern.

The public will be invited to vote online for their favorites starting March 5. State tourism officials will announce one winner for each region on April 30, along with themed travel packages and videos for download.

State tourism will see a boost from the promotion, Musgrave said, regardless of which counties will land one of the seven wonders.

"Anything that's advertised, we'll get more tourists," Musgrave said. "That's the basic secret to marketing. This is a great opportunity for the state to tap into a national marketing event and do our own version of it."

Debbie Moore, executive director of the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau, said Southern Illinois would receive a tremendous benefit from the promotion.

"We're big believers that when the water goes up on one side of the lake, it goes up on our side of the lake, too," Moore said. "It engages people to get involved in tourism. There are people who have lived here their entire lives and don't know what's in their own backyard."

Early picks state tourism officials have pinpointed include the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield; the Superman statue in Metropolis; Collinsville's giant catsup bottle; the Garden of the Gods; and Cahokia Mounds.

However, just a quick look reveals many attractions that haven't been considered. Moore ticked off several in seconds: Little Grand Canyon, Pomona Natural Bridge, Tower Rock in Grand Tower.

"It's all in the direction they choose to go," Moore said. "They might look at some cultural things and things that impact society. Buckminster Fuller had a major impact, not just with the dome, but socially with respect to his philosophy about life in general."

Nominations can be made at www.enjoyillinois.com.