August 21, 2023

There’s a Whole Lot of Java Brewing During Javapalooza

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL- Aug. 24, 2023) Are you a latte lover? How about a coffee connoisseur? Indulge in all things coffee related during the Great Rivers & Routes first-ever Javapalooza…

Read More

July 7, 2023

Community Building — Getting It Right By Testing Assumptions

Too many community-building practitioners cling to the notion that jobs alone build community. But, are jobs enough to attract and retain talent? Workforce training, manufacturing plants, and warehouses are touted as solutions…

Read More

June 27, 2023

Step Up to the Plate for July Restaurant Week

The Lodge Bar at Lovejoy Weddings & Event CenterFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL – June 28, 2023) Hit it out of the park in Alton and Collinsville during All Star Restaurant Week…

Read More

June 20, 2023

Get Ready for the Great Illinois Raft Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL – June 20, 2023) Race down the Illinois River on a homemade raft Saturday, July 8 during the annual Great Illinois River Raft Race which takes off…

Read More

June 1, 2023

Celebrate the Grand Opening of West End Service Station

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL – June 1, 2023) A piece of Route 66 history in Edwardsville is coming back to life as a Mother Road interpretive center with the grand opening…

Read More

May 16, 2023

Tourism Bureau Shines at Sports ETA Symposium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL – May 17, 2023) Outdoor recreation and sporting events in southwest Illinois were spotlighted at the recent Sports ETA Annual Symposium with the donation of a hand-painted…

Read More

May 8, 2023

Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week in Southwest Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL- May 9, 2023) Join the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and KMOV’s Great Day St. Louis with a special celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week…

Read More

April 28, 2023

Tourism Bureau and Two Area Communities Receive State Tourism Promotion Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL- May 1, 2023) The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois along with the cities of Grafton and Collinsville were awarded a total of $135,00…

Read More

April 26, 2023

Tourism Bureau Awarded New $493,000 Route 66 Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL – April 27, 2023) The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 is receiving another financial boost thanks to a new $493,000 Route 66 Grant for projects designed…

Read More

April 25, 2023

New ​“Freedom to Equality Tours” Presented by Tourism Bureau

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL- April 27, 2023) Take a journey through Black History in the historic river town of Alton on the new ‘Freedom to Equality’ tours offered by the Great…

Read More

April 17, 2023

Future of Sports Tourism Focus of April 20 Meeting

Huddle Up Group will present strategic plan for sports tourism in the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois

Read More

March 23, 2023

Tourism Bureau to Unveil Piasa Park Plans Tuesday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Alton, IL – March 24, 2023) Plans for the redevelopment of Alton’s Piasa Park including the addition of a new Byway Discovery Center will be presented to the Alton…

Read More