AnnualReportFY21 - 2

FROM THE
chair
LAURA BLEILL
University of Illinois Research Park
Chair, Board of Directors, 2019-2021
When last I sat down to write this letter, we were
still a bit shellshocked. I look back at it and admire
the tenacity and resolve that it emanates, and then
wonder: were we really that strong?
It was in the immediate months of the pandemic,
pre-vaccine and well before we knew what the
next phase would entail. Despite the setbacks we
experienced globally and locally, we were still
resolute and steadfast in our mission.
VCC did not " sit and wait " for the pandemic to be
over. The VCC team worked with the industry to
facilitate a resilient attitude of perseverance and
sustainability to achieve goals in spite of and during
the pandemic. VCC celebrated the victories of our
local hospitality businesses, all the while recognizing
the various obstacles they faced, and will continue to
do so moving forward.
Fiscal year 2021 drove home the importance of
tourism and travel as a key driver for our local
and regional economy to a broader audience, in
ways that reports like this never could. The bright
spotlight on the hospitality industry also conveyed
its importance as the front porch of our community.
Looking back, we now recognize that while the
pandemic presented the biggest challenge to the
hospitality industry in our lifetimes - it may also
represent the largest opportunity.
2
There's a glow around two new initiatives that I want
to highlight:
1
Thanks to the new Chambana Welcome Crew
program, launched in summer of 2021 after
a pandemic-induced delay, we will see our
community at its finest-warm and welcoming.
This initiative takes a very grassroots,
personalized approach to attracting potential
new residents and retaining those who have
moved here.
We look forward to working with the Champaign
County African American Cultural Trail steering
committee, lending support and helping secure
resources. This one-of-a-kind experience that
will be relevant in the area, region, and perhaps
the nation.
As my last official duty as board president, I want to
take a moment to recognize the finest CEO around,
Jayne DeLuce and her outstanding leadership. Her
team ranks second to none thanks to its creativity
and its can-do attitude. Visit Champaign County
stands tall today because of all of you.
With humble gratitude.
Laura
2 | visitchampaigncounty.org
http://www.visitchampaigncounty.org

AnnualReportFY21

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