Deputy Director Jan Kostner, The Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn
Adam Wilcox, Porter Airlines; Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn; John Kirk and Brad Cicero, Porter Airlines; and Kevin Johnson, Consul General
The windstorm that gusted through Toronto over the weekend was in preparation for the Windy City guests who visited on Monday. On hand to promote the Land of Lincoln was Deputy Director Jan Kostner of The Illinois Bureau of Tourism, Director Warren Ribley of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. The well attended luncheon was hosted at Toronto’s Hyatt Regency King Ballroom and included representatives from promotional partners, Porter Airlines and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Since this is the first visit by an Illinois Governor in 15 years, Governor Quinn had his work cut out for him. No problem for the man who is also known as the Bio Governor and the Arts Governor. The recent visit was a component of his Trade Mission to Canada. Although the mission’s initiative was to highlight Illinois and to attract Canadian tourists, the Governor’s presentation placed a great emphasis on the relationship between his state and Ontario. “There is great symmetry between Illinois and Ontario, Chicago and its sister city, Toronto,” he said.
And what better way to bridge the 2 than with Porter Airlines’ 5 roundtrip flights a day to MDW from YTZ. “Porter is a facilitator of connecting people, fast and efficiently,” said the Governor, who happened to use Porter’s services for this trip.
Governor Quinn is a comedian in disguise and his presentation kept guests chuckling. We knew that Second City had its origins in Chicago, but apparently all of Illinois is a very funny place… in fact, Governor Quinn says it’s for the birds. Bird watchers will be thrilled with all that his state has to offer, especially for eagle spotters. “Did you know more eagles visit us (Illinois) than the rest of the continental U.S. each year?” stated Quinn. Flight was a recurring theme, as everyone had a little plush eagle toy awaiting them at the dining table. Governor Quinn also joked about sharing the Lincoln bed in his governor’s mansion to anybody who brought lots of tourists or bird watchers to the state.
The luncheon breezed by as the 3 course meal was decadently topped off with a slice of chocolate cheesecake provided by Eli’s famous Chicago Cheesecake. Delicious! It was a pleasure to have the Governor of Illinois visit after all these years. “We are looking forward to having Canadians visit Illinois and for people from Illinois to visit Ontario,” he said.
We are looking forward to that as well, Governor, and to some more of that cheesecake.
