RAEDC & RACVB Explore Marketing Strategies and Possible Merger

Rockford, Illinois - Its been more than 20 years since the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau formed as an independent organization apart from the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. Now the two are looking into the possibility of merging once again. "If you look historically back in the 1980`s there was a heck of a lot more coordination between the Economic Development Council and the Convention and Visitors Bureau in the city of Rockford. What we`re basically trying to do is go back to the old days a little bit to make sure that we`re crafting a unified message," said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. As requested by Mayor Larry Morrissey and Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen, the RAEDC and the RACVB have begun a study to explore the possibility of sharing a brand and whether it would be productive to adjust current organizational structures. LaVonne Brown, Interim CEO of the RACVB said, "Were looking at a unified brand for the Rockford region something that we feel with one voice we can perhaps help us have a stronger representation outside of the area."