GoRockford

Yesterday, GoRockford proudly announced and celebrated the donation of two remarkable sculptures to our community: Hold Me Up by Ben Pierce and Magical Thinking by Actual Size Artworks. The permanent installation of Magical Thinking was made possible through the generosity of the David & Colleen Anderson Charitable Foundation and Bucciferro Family McDonald’s. “We’re excited to be a part of bringing some fun and whimsy to downtown Rockford! It’s great to see the city really coming to life and realizing its full potential of being a great place to live and work,” said Guy Bucciferro with Bucciferro Family McDonald’s. Hold Me Up, nw located at Veterans Memorial Circle on N. Main Street, has been donated by the Dean Alan Olson Foundation, symbolizing respect and gratitude toward our veterans. “Since our founding in 1960, the Dean Alan Olson Foundation has endeavored to support the arts and art programming in the Rockford area. We happily accepted this opportunity from GoRockford to sponsor Ben Pierce's Hold Me Up to remain on permanent display in the North End. Public arts are, by definition, accessible to all and have the potential to positively impact the entirety of a space and those within it. Hold Me Up is a perfect addition to the already beautifully maintained Veteran's Circle,” said Leanna Reidy with Dean Alan Olson Foundation. “We hope this particular piece will have a positive impact on Rockford's North End for years to come.” #GoRockford

We are thrilled to announce that Joanne Nold, GoRockford's Vice President of Finance & Administration, was nominated as a Woman in Business at the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Pow(H)er Luncheon. Joanne has been an integral part of the GoRockford team for 12 years, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication. Yesterday, the GoRockford team attended this event, which celebrated outstanding women in business throughout our community. Congratulations to Joanne on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for all you do for the Rockford region.

Celebrate the rich cultural celebration of Día de los Muertos in Rockford. Explore how this vibrant tradition honors loved ones and brings people together. Read our latest blog by Melissa Santillan in both English and Spanish. English Version: https://lnkd.in/g-984jVT Spanish Version: https://lnkd.in/g8RJqT6M

Yesterday, GoRockford hosted our quarterly update with local hoteliers, featuring two outstanding guest speakers— Michael Jacobson from the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) and Zack Oakley from the Chicago Rockford International Airport. We’re grateful to both for dedicating their time to meet with our local hotel partners, sharing valuable insights on key industry matters. We also want to extend a big thank you to our Rockford hoteliers who attended and learned about IHLA’s latest initiatives, including a recap of this year’s advocacy successes and a look ahead at the 2025 legislative session. We appreciate your continued collaboration and dedication to growing our local hospitality industry.

This year, GoRockford celebrates 40 years of tourism triumphs, marketing and destination development efforts on behalf of the Rockford region. In 1984, a visionary group of community members charted a new course to promote Rockford as a visitor destination. Today, we continue those efforts to showcase Rockford and the region as a vibrant, dynamic destination for visitors and residents. Take a look back with us as we reflect on 40 years of tourism growth and progress here in the Rockford region. 

Last Friday we greeted travelers entering Illinois at the Turtle Creek Tourist Information Center in South Beloit. We handed out our brand new experience guides and talked about all the exciting things happening in the Rockford area. Request your own experience guide at https://lnkd.in/eYd7_Djh

The Special Olympics Illinois Fall Games are BACK in Rockford! Athletes will compete in equestrian and volleyball events, showcasing their incredible skills, determination, and teamwork. This event brings in an estimated economic impact of $398,986 to the region. For event details, visit: https://lnkd.in/ggv6x4U2 🗓️ Event Date: October 19-20 📍 UW Health Sports Factory 📍 The Bergmann Centre-Equestrian

Last Friday, GoRockford and Visit Quad Cities co-hosted the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Works Power Hour with Congressman Eric Sorensen, 17th District, at the Urban Reserve in Rock Island. The event provided an opportunity for regional tourism leaders and stakeholders to engage directly with Rep. Sorensen and discuss the economic, social, and global impacts of tourism on our communities. Together, we highlighted the vital role tourism plays in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and building vibrant communities. We appreciate Rep. Sorensen’s support and thank Visit Quad Cities for arranging the conversation and advocating for the future of our industry! #GoRockford

Thank you to our Stroll on State presenting sponsor Illinois Bank & Trust, a division of HTLF Bank for joining us at the staff volunteer day at the Stroll on State workshop. It takes thousands of volunteer hours to create this magical community event and we are so grateful for their partnership. Volunteer workshops are open to the public Tuesdays 6-9pm and Saturdays 8am-12pm located at 310 Winnebago St. Rockford. Sign up to volunteer today: https://lnkd.in/g_9uWtr2

Congratulations to our 2024 Tourism Hall of Fame Inductees. This year’s inductees have made significant contributions to Rockford’s tourism, culture, and economic development, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s growth and vibrancy. Their dedication to enhancing the quality of life in Rockford exemplifies the spirit of innovation that GoRockford aims to celebrate.