They came, they toured...

On June 8th members of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism (IBOT) paid a visit to the firefly.  Now at first glance this may not seem like a big thing, but in reality, it was a very big thing, both for the firefly and for the city of Effingham.

The 2009 Illinois Road Show is a statewide tour to discuss the economic impact tourism has had on the state. It's an annual series of press conferences and events to share industry news, including the 2008 economic impact numbers, highlight the significant economic and social impact of Illinois' travel and tourism industry, and reflect on upcoming tourism initiatives as they play into the current economic climate. Held June 8-11, the road show stopped at several locations along the media tour - an opportunity for the group to experience some of the unique offerings throughout Illinois.

Themed "There's a Getaway for That," IBOT Deputy Director Jan Kostner's presentations across the state have emphasized the state's assets and ability to provide travelers with an Illinois getaway that is customized to fit their needs.    "We were so excited the Road Show selected Effingham as one of its stops this year.  It was a great opportunity for the officials at IBOT to see and hear about all of the great things we have going on in our community," said Kim Weidman, Tourism/Marketing Director for the City of Effingham.   "Kristie and Niall pulled out all of the stops during the lunch at the firefly, and they really made everyone feel at home.  The firefly grill is much more than a restaurant, it truly is an attraction that brings visitors to our area,"  Weidman added.

The tour included six media stops for press conferences throughout the state.  In attendance were local tourism industry members including government officials, Convention & Visitors Bureau board members, and hotel, restaurant and attraction representatives.

"This lunch was just another reminder of what a great asset the firefly is to our community, especially in helping lure in visitors from out of town," said Weidman. " I am sure the Road Tour group is not going to forget their trip to the firefly and to Effingham anytime soon."

Continual Improvement...

Last month, 50 Firefly grill team members participated in a team building exercise run by HR Research of Effingham, a local firm specializing in human resources.  The purpose of the exercise was to promote competition, communication and team work among the firefly staff.

The goal was for each six -member team to get a "customer" into the firefly grill through teamwork and communication.  Employees rotated roles, so that each person could experience and visualize how their and other team members  have a big hand in the company's successes.  In a team atmosphere, every role is essential  in order for each individual position to be successful, and ultimately, the company will be successful.

A few people were a little reluctant at first but within the first few minutes of the exercise the competitiveness kicked in.  The firefly was full of running, jumping, laughter and somewhat fierce competition.  Calories were burnt, a few glasses were broken, and there was a little sweat and a lot of team work. About 50 smiles later every team accomplished their goal in record time, a testament to the power of working as a team!