After a year of digital-only content, Visit Champaign County published their annual Champaign County Area Experience Guide. The 60-page publication, released each July/August, shares compelling editorial and useful information for residents, visitors, and students so they can explore all the community has to offer.
“Due to the budget challenges from COVID-19, we released a digital version of the Experience Guide in 2020,” explains Terri Reifsteck, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement for Visit Champaign County who writes and designs the publication. “During that time, we continued to receive requests from visitors, realtors, new residents, and our local employers who rely on this publication to introduce the many amenities the greater Champaign County area provides. We’re so excited to once again have a printed version of this resource that highlights the people and the places that define our Outside of Ordinary community.”
The new Champaign County Area Experience Guide offers 60-pages of content on how to engage in community activities post-COVID-19. “While we lost some businesses during the pandemic, we also gained several new ones to discover. As we start to resume pre-pandemic opportunities, the Experience Guide will give you inspiration for supporting our local businesses, exploring our outdoors, and enjoying our arts and culture hotspots.”
The guide highlights stories in local agriculture, food & drink, arts & culture, local history, outdoor experiences, sports, family activities, and local shopping. Area experts share their tips for how to engage in these sectors including: Taidghin O’Brien, The Land Connection; Jessica Hammie, Smile Politely; Kelly White, 40 North | 88 West; TJ Blakeman, Champaign County History Museum; Pam Leiter, Champaign County Forest Preserve District; and Laura Bleill, ChambanaMoms.com.
Readers may also discover new content in the greater Champaign County area, with growing regional partners, including Sullivan and Arcola, in addition to Monticello, Tuscola, and Arthur. These new partners only enhance the experience in East Central Illinois for our residents and visitors.
Visit Champaign County printed 40,000 copies of the Experience Guide to be distributed over the year. Guides are available at the Visit Champaign County Welcome Center at 17 E. Taylor St. in downtown Champaign, and starting the week of July 26, you’ll be able to find the guide at Market Place Mall, Willard Airport, Illinois Terminal, and at a variety of local businesses and area hotels. Guides are also available by request and are available to area businesses.
About Visit Champaign County
Visit Champaign County’s mission is to promote a welcoming destination experience for visitors to strengthen economic opportunity and enhance the lives of residents.