While the state of Illinois remains under a stay-at-home order, Visit Champaign County is offering opportunities for residents and visitors alike to virtually explore the greater Champaign County area.
This new website showcases various amenities in the community—outdoor spaces, arts & culture, museums, agriculture adventures, and breweries—with more to come. Community videos highlighting area makers such as Prairie Fire Glass, Hopscotch Bakery Market, and Wood N’ Hog, as well as videos on the live music scene and making Outside of Ordinary memories are also available.
“Even though we’re staying in, we can continue to experience what our community has to offer,” explains Terri Reifsteck, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement with Visit Champaign County. “While our lives have slowed down, now is an opportune time for our residents, and potential visitors to be reminded of the vast number of experiences available to them.”
In addition to the virtual experiences curated by Visit Champaign County, the site also features what area attractions are offering for virtual experiences, from exploring online art galleries at Krannert Art Museum to virtual nature walks with the Urbana Park District. Many area attractions have shifted to virtually engaging with the community in order to provide a break for those at home.
The virtual experiences are more than a reminder to local residents, they are also a tool to promote future visits to the greater Champaign County area. “When it is safe to explore, we want Champaign County to be top of mind to potential visitors,” states Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO of Visit Champaign County. “Whether we’re reaching tour groups, meeting planners, or sports tourism, these amenities are what drive business to our community, and that will get us one step closer to rebuilding our local economy.”
“These tools are also critical for those recruiting employees to our area. As tours and site visits for candidates with our major employers have come to a halt, we have to find creative solutions to showcase this community,” says Reifsteck.
The virtual experiences can be found at visitchampaigncounty.org/virtual. Attractions and businesses offering stay-at-home experiences should contact Visit Champaign County at terrir@visitchampaigncounty.org.
About Visit Champaign County
Visit Champaign County, the certified destination management organization for the greater Champaign County area, aided organizers in bringing the event to the area and will provide support in helping coordinate media and providing community resources to the competitors. Visit Champaign County’s mission is to promote a welcoming destination experience for visitors to strengthen economic opportunity and enhance the lives of residents.