Media and Press Releases
January 19, 2012
NIU planning bid to host IHSA football championships
The IHSA is accepting bids for the state football finals, and Northern Illinois University will look at sending one in, Huskie Stadium director John Gordon and NIU athletic director Jeff Compher said Thursday... read full article
January 13, 2012
Maciulis: Nothing like Pfeiffer's muskie yarns
Shabbona Weekend: Denny Sands has been outstanding in promoting one of Illinois' premier fisheries at Shabbona Lake. For the moment, with muskeis stealing the thunder throughout Illinois... read full article
January 9, 2012
Armstrong: Reflection on 2011 tourism in DeKalb County
Happy New Year from the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Last year proved to be eventful and profitable for tourism. Two of the DCCVB's most important accomplishments were achieving certification status for the bureau and bringing the "Untitled Ramin Bahrani Farm Film" ... read full article
December 13, 2011
Hundreds celebrate Shabbona Lake State Park
Kerry Novak remembers when Shabbona Lake State Park was "just a half pile of dirt." Almost 38 years later, the man-made lake that now spans 318 acres was celebrated Monday as a treasure... read full article
December 7, 2011
WLBK Radio Show
December 2011
Colorful whimsy fills the skies!
Colorful kites of all types fileld the skies in DeKalb as part of the 7th Annual DeKalb Kite Festival Sept. 11. Many of the whimsical and magical creations defy description, including "fighting kites" and a head-turning display of three 90-foot-long octopus kites... read full article
December 6, 2011
Shabbona Lake State Park serving millions since 1975
In August, Shabbona Lake State Park welcomed its 12 millionth visitor. About 425,000 visitors enjoy this treasured northern Illinois attraction annually. The public is invited to attend a special ... read full article
Wedenesday November 9, 2011
Tourism up in DeKalb County
DeKalb County received $71.64 million from tourism in 2010, according to the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office (NIT). According to the NIT numbers, this was over $6 million more than...read full article
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Saturday October 31, 2011
Armstrong: Hard to say bye to friends from the film industry
The cast and crew of the untitled Ramin Bahrani farm film have wrapped up filming. They are busy closing down their production office in DeKalb. It is truly bittersweet to see them go... read full article
Friday October 28, 2011
Tourism Statistics 2010
For the 2010 DeKalb County Tourism Statistics click here
Tuesday October 4, 2011
Kite Fest filled with families smiling at the sky
To the Editor: Our sincere thanks to everyone who made the 2011 DeKalb Kite Festival soar with kites and smiles. The winds were perfect and the sun shined brightly on all the smiling faces. read full article
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday's film shoot draws crowds to The Junction parking lot
Yellow caution tape roped off part of The Junction parking lot Monday as film crews prepared to film a scene in Ramin Bahrani's Heartland. The movie, starring Zac Efron and Dennis Quaid, began filming in DeKalb County in the summer. However, students still came out early... read full article
Sunday, October 2, 2011
County Board takes on tourism
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the DeKalb County Board decided to make a greater effort to attract tourists to DeKalb County after tourism increased by 9.6 percent from 2009 to 2010. read full article
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Armstrong: Lights, cameras, action, benefits in DeKalb County
The untitled Ramin Bahrani film has moved into part two of its filming schedule and should wrap up by the middle of October. Thousands of excited DeKalb County residents recently lined up at the Egyptian Theatre eagerly awaiting their opportunity to be part of the film... read full article
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Movie, TV filming in county creates buzz, economic impact
During Sunday's casting call for extras for the untitled Ramin Bahrani film currently filming in DeKalb County, Nicole Liddle half-joked that it would be exciting to see the back of her head in the movie. "This really doesn't happen in DeKalb," she said of Sunday's filming and casting call at the Egyptian Theatre. read full article
Thursday, September 15, 2011
DeKalb County looks to expand tourism after recent success
SYCAMORE - Coming off the recent major movie and TV filming in DeKalb County, officials are looking for ways to expand services in the tourism and art departments. Members of the county board's Economic Development Committee discussed the possibility of starting a countywide art council as well as allocating... read full article
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Open Casting Call in DeKalb County September 18 for "Untitled Ramin Bahrani Film"
The DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to announce an Open Casting Call on behalf of the "Untitled Ramin Bahrani Film" that is being shot in DeKalb County this fall. The movie is an independent film starring Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Kim Dickens, and Heather Graham. read full article
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Kite Festival Provides Family Fun
Colorful kites of all sizes and types will once again fill the skies over DeKalb with whimsical and magical creations at the Sixth Annual DeKalb Kite Festival. Kite Fest is Sunday, September 11 from 11am-4pm on the campus of Northern Illinois University at the corner of Lucinda and Kishwaukee Drive. read full article
Monday, August 22, 2011
Armstrong: Film has helped bring the money
DeKalb County is the temporary home of movie director Ramin Bahrani, actors Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Maika Monroe and Heather Graham and the entire cast and crew of movie "Heartland" thanks to the efforts of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. read full article.
August 2011
Update on the Farm Film (Heartland)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Feature Film by Ramin Bahrani Comes To DeKalb
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
DCCVB view: Visitors bureau gains certifcation
I am happy to share good news regarding the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau's new status with the Illinois Office of Tourism. We have been notified that our bureau has met all the requirements to be certified, which makes us eligible to receive the Local Tourism Certified Bureau Grant in Fiscal Year 2012. read full article
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Armstrong: National Tourism Week puts focus on why travel matters
It's National Travel and Tourism Week from May 7-15, so let's use the occasion to think about how the travel industry can help jump-start the American economy. It's a vital part of our economic health, and we need to urge our elected officials to try to make travel easier - for Americans traveling in their own country and for international visitors coming here. read full article
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
DCCVB View: Conference dedicates time to improving state tourism Date
By Debbie Armstrong I've just come back from the Governor's Conference on Tourism which was held at the Rosemont Convention...read full article
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
CVB: Busy spring on tap for county visitors bureau
By Debbie Armstrong The new 2011 DeKalb County Visitors Guide is in and available at hotels and attractions throughout most of DeKalb County as well as the DCCVB office located at 164 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.
read full article
November 23, 2010
It takes a Village...or a County
One of many things we do in trying to promote tourism here to generate a positive economic impact is help bring groups and their members here to hold meetings or competitions to help fill local hotel rooms and venues while providing customers for other local businesses like restaurants, shops, etc. read full article
December 23, 2010
It takes a Village...or a County
Beginning in January 2011, the DCCVB board will be approaching all municipalities in the county seeking to obtain letters-of-support for the Bureau and additional funding to allow the DCCVB to grow our efforts to generate more revenue through tourism marketing for DeKalb County. read full article
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