Pre Event Services

Pre-Event Services

The Pre-Event Services are available prior to your event in the Chicago Southland. Restrictions may apply.

Brochure, Video and Slide Distribution
A variety of brochures, videos, slides and electronic files for individuals and groups are provided upon request to event planners. These brochures contain information on hotels, attractions, cultural organizations, restaurants and activities in the Chicago Southland area.
Brochure Shells
Brochure shells (8 - " x 14", folds to 3-1/2" x 8-1/2") are available to planners for the promotion of your event. The brochure shell is a four-panel brochure printed in full color on a glossy paper stock. One side contains a Chicago Southland map, information and photos, along with room for your event's name, date and location. The other side of the brochure is blank and can be used for additional information about your event.
Convention Suppliers
The Bureau has a list of members representing every facet of the hospitality industry including: audio/visual, transportation, decorators, florists, tour companies, specialty items, etc. Let us introduce you to the local suppliers who can help make your event a success.
Electronic Newsletters
The Bureau can send out an e-news blast to your participants. Information and e-mail addresses (in Excel format) need to be submitted at least two weeks prior to sending date.

Event Listing
If your event is open to the public, it will be listed in the Chicago Southland Festivals & Events Brochure (if deadline is met). It also can be listed on the Bureau's website, on our weekly calendar faxed to hotels and on our event hotline.
Familiarization Tours & Site Tours
Familiarization tours for planners are conducted to promote the Chicago Southland area.
Itinerary Planning
We will help plan your group's itinerary from start to finish. Services include: accessing group rates from area hotels, meal planning, cultural/recreational activities, ground transportation and step-on guides.
Language Services
The Bureau can put you in touch with the appropriate resources.
Literature
We can provide you with complimentary copies of our printed materials.
- Visitors Guide
- Coupon Book
- Festivals & Events Guide

Media Kit
Upon request, we can provide you with a media mailing list, area background stories and electronic photos.
Microsite
Clients that book a minimum of 50 room nights will be eligible for a custom Microsite. Each microsite will have its own URL and contain information on hotels, attractions, events taking place during their stay, restaurants, a link to the group's website and weather. There will be a welcome banner on the Bureau's website homepage for each microsite. The Bureau requires a minimum of 60 days to accommodate this request.
Online Reservation Link
If your group requires two or hotels/motels in the Chicago Southland area, the Bureau can provide a custom URL for online reservations.

Pre-Promotion
Depending on previous event's location, the Bureau can provide someone to attend and set up an area to help promote the Chicago Southland region as the future event site. Restrictions apply.

Press Releases
We can assist in the promotion of your event by sending out news releases or supplying you with our media list. The Bureau required a minimum of 14 days to accommodate this request. Also, we can provide you with information on how to write a press release of your own..
Save the Date Postcards
Save the Date postcards are available to assist in the promotion of your upcoming Chicago Southland event. They are limited to groups with 100-500 people that have booked through the Bureau with a minimum of 50 room nights booked. These postcards are also available electronically.
Site Inspection
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau can provide you with a personal site inspection of hotels, expo centers, meeting/event facilities and attractions. Once your needs have been determined, we can set up a tour to showcase the facilities that can easily and efficiently accommodate your group.

Tours
We can assist you in securing dynamic speakers and planning theme parties, spouse programs and tours for all ages.

Transportation
If you or your group needs transportation services, we will be happy to refer you to a local transportation company.
Unique Meeting Places
If it is an unconventional meeting place you are looking for, we have a list of facilities to accommodate your group. Such facilities include:
- Casinos
- Colleges/Universities
- Comedy Clubs
- Family Entertainment Centers
- Forest Preserves
- Golf Courses/Country Clubs