September 2026 Advisory Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
1:00–2:30 PM

Inaugural Meeting • Illinois Valley Wine Trail Advisory Council

1:00–1:10 PM | Welcome & Introductions

• Welcome and opening remarks
• Participant introductions
• The perspectives represented around the table

1:10–1:20 PM | Illinois Valley Wine Trail: Where We Are & Where We’re Going

• Development of the Illinois Valley Wine Trail
• Wine tourism within the broader Illinois Valley visitor experience
• The 2026–2028 tourism incubation period
• Why an Advisory Council, and why now?

1:20–1:30 PM | Establishing the Advisory Council

• Purpose and advisory role
• Council structure and representation
• Quarterly meeting cycle
• September as the annual strategy meeting
• Community input, communication, and future participation

1:30–1:55 PM | Highway 199 Visitor Response

• Highway 199 closures and potential impacts on visitors and local businesses
• Visitor information and travel needs during the disruption
• Highway 199 Visitor Guide initiative
• Opportunities for coordination and collaboration
• Council discussion and perspective

1:55–2:20 PM | 2027 Illinois Valley Tourism Strategy

• What are the Illinois Valley’s greatest visitor opportunities?
• Visitor information, storytelling, and destination photography
• Illinois Valley Tourism Photography Project
• Gaps in tourism assets, resources, and visitor experiences
• Where could collaboration make the greatest difference?
• Identifying emerging priorities for 2027
• Perspectives or voices that should be included as the work develops

2:20–2:30 PM | Next Steps & Closing

• Key themes and takeaways
• Immediate follow-up
• Advisory Council Meeting Brief
• Looking ahead to the January meeting

Guiding Question

How can we work together to create a stronger, more connected visitor experience throughout the Illinois Valley?

Share Your Input with the Advisory Council

The Illinois Valley Wine Trail welcomes information, ideas, and perspectives related to topics being considered by the Advisory Council. Please use this form to provide input for an upcoming meeting or Council project.

Meeting Materials

• Advisory Council Charter →
• September 2026 Council Brief → Published following the meeting