VISIT CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CUTS RIBBON ON NEW VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER

Visit Chicago Southland-formerly Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau-held its Grand Opening for the new Visitor Information Center (VIC) at the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis on November 7.

"This center will provide a far more expansive, welcoming, vibrant, informative, technological, and self-sufficient experience for the roughly one-million people traversing in and out of this Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis annually," said Visit Chicago Southland President/CEO Mary Patchin. "As we embark on this new journey, let us remember that our region is defined not just by our landmarks, but by the warmth and hospitality we extend to others. We want this center to be a place of welcome and an invitation for everyone to discover the unique charm of the Chicago Southland Region."

The Chicago Southland region was well represented Thursday as notable residents including newly reelected United States Representative Robin Kelly, Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, and Village of South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff spoke.

"As a long time Chicago Southland resident, I'm grateful to be here to celebrate the grand opening of the Visitor Information Center," said U.S. Representative Robin Kelly. "This center is in line with our mission to expand economic opportunity and wellness to our communities."

"We are so pleased to partner with Visit Chicago Southland in promoting the many attractions here in the Chicago Southland area," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "We agree that the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis is its perfect residence."

"We welcome this new Visitor Information Center as a great opportunity for residents and tourists to better understand all of what South Holland and the Chicago Southland has to offer," said Village of South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff. "We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Visit Chicago Southland and its mission to help grow our region."

The new Visitor Information Center includes two large interactive touch screens interfacing the Visit Chicago Southland app, a wrap-around library of racked brochures, and a 360-degree layout walled with a variety of QR-coded resources. Visit Chicago Southland VIC Specialist Rolanda Hudson continues to be stationed at the center to attend to visitors' needs and questions.

Visit Chicago Southland is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago's south and southwest suburbs. Visit Chicago Southland nationally markets and sells the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings and conventions, group tours, sports events and leisure travel. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.