Illinois Valley Wine Trail Advisory Council

The Illinois Valley Wine Trail Advisory Council brings together people with different perspectives on tourism, business, community development, hospitality, recreation, arts and culture, media, and the broader visitor experience.

The Council helps IVWT identify needs, opportunities, challenges, and collaborative priorities as part of its 2026–2028 tourism incubation period.

No. The Advisory Council is an advisory body, not a governing board.

The Council provides perspective, expertise, connections, and recommendations, but it does not have operational, financial, contractual, personnel, or organizational authority over the Illinois Valley Wine Trail.

No. The Advisory Council does not control a budget, hold funds, approve expenditures, or make financial decisions for IVWT.

The Council may identify projects that require funding and help identify potential grants, sponsors, partners, or other resources. Funding for a specific project would be managed by IVWT or another organization responsible for that project, not by the Advisory Council itself.

No. Serving on the Advisory Council does not create a financial obligation to fund IVWT or projects identified through Council discussions.

If a particular project later includes sponsorships, partner contributions, or other funding opportunities, those opportunities will be communicated separately.

Council representation is intentionally cross-sector and may include wineries, tourism organizations, community and economic development organizations, visitor-facing businesses, recreation and conservation, arts and culture, media, and other relevant perspectives.

IVWT may also appoint at-large or special-perspective representatives whose experience or expertise adds an important perspective to the Council’s work.

No. The Council is intentionally kept relatively small so it can function as an effective working group.

Seats are selected to provide a thoughtful balance of organizations, industries, expertise, community perspectives, and geographic knowledge.

However, you do not need a seat on the Advisory Council to participate in the work that comes from it.

Businesses, organizations, community groups, residents, and others may have opportunities to submit ideas and feedback, contribute expertise or resources, participate in project teams, and join collaborative tourism initiatives.

As projects develop, IVWT will share specific calls for participation through this page and other communication channels.

No. When an idea or priority requires additional planning or implementation, IVWT may create a temporary project team or working group.

These groups may include Council members as well as local businesses, organizations, community members, public agencies, subject-matter experts, volunteers, sponsors, and others who can contribute to the work.

Not necessarily. The Council may identify a need, recommend an initiative, provide feedback, or help connect people and resources.

IVWT will determine the appropriate leadership, partners, resources, funding, and organizational structure for each project. In some cases IVWT may lead; in others, another organization or collaborative group may be better positioned to do so.

The Council generally meets quarterly, with meetings anticipated in January, April, July, and September.

September will generally serve as the Council’s annual strategy meeting, focusing on emerging tourism needs, opportunities, and priorities for the coming year.

Advisory Council meetings are working sessions and are not currently structured as public meetings.

IVWT may invite guests, community representatives, or subject-matter experts when their perspective would benefit a particular discussion. The broader community will also have opportunities to provide input and participate in projects outside the Council meetings themselves.

Following regular meetings, IVWT plans to publish an Advisory Council Meeting Brief summarizing major topics, recommendations, collaborative opportunities, and next steps.

Meeting Briefs will be available on this page so businesses, organizations, and community members can follow the Council’s work.

Generally, no. Meeting Briefs will summarize discussions and outcomes rather than attribute individual comments to specific participants.

Can I submit an idea or issue for the Council to consider?

Yes. IVWT welcomes tourism-related observations, opportunities, concerns, and ideas from businesses, organizations, residents, community groups, and others with a stake in the Illinois Valley visitor experience.

Submissions may help inform future Council discussions, projects, or community engagement.

Share Your Input – Scroll to the latest Agenda

Projects will develop based on the needs and opportunities identified during the incubation period.

They could include visitor information, tourism photography, collaborative marketing, visitor publications, itineraries, events and experiences, wayfinding, destination resources, or other initiatives that strengthen and connect the Illinois Valley visitor experience.

Not every idea discussed by the Council will necessarily become a project.

Visitors don’t experience the Illinois Valley in categories.

Someone who comes for wine may also stay overnight, eat at a local restaurant, visit the Oregon Caves, shop, attend an event, explore the outdoors, or discover local artists and makers.

IVWT’s 2026–2028 incubation period is an opportunity to explore how those experiences can be better connected while determining the Wine Trail’s appropriate long-term role in broader destination development.

Wine is the invitation. The Illinois Valley is the experience.

Visit this page for upcoming meetings, Meeting Briefs, current projects, community input opportunities, and calls for participation.

Businesses, organizations, and community members interested in contributing to Illinois Valley tourism initiatives are encouraged to let us know how they’d like to participate.

Get Involved – illinoisvalleywinetrail@gmail.com