Visit Chicago Southland—formerly Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau—held its Grand Opening for the new Visitor Information Center (VIC) at the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis on November 7. “This center will provide a far more expansive, welcoming, vibrant, informative, technological, and self-sufficient experience for the roughly one-million people traversing in and out of this Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis annually,” said Visit Chicago Southland President/CEO Mary Patchin. “As we embark on this new journey, let us remember that our region is defined not just by our landmarks, but by the warmth and hospitality we extend to others. We want this center to be a place of welcome and an invitation for everyone to discover the unique charm of the Chicago Southland Region.” The Chicago Southland region was well represented Thursday as notable residents including newly reelected United States Representative Robin Kelly, Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, and Village of South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff spoke. The new Visitor Information Center includes two large interactive touch screens interfacing the Visit Chicago Southland app, a wrap-around library of racked brochures, and a 360-degree layout walled with a variety of QR-coded resources. Visit Chicago Southland VIC Specialist Rolanda Hudson continues to be stationed at the center to attend to visitors’ needs and questions. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.

Photo Credit: Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau