GREAT RIVERS and Routes President Cory Jobe elected as Chair of the Illinois Destination Association

By Editor | July 13, 2026 |

By Steven Spencer

Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, was recently named as the Chair of the Illinois Destination Association (IDA) Board of Directors.
Jobe assumed leadership responsibilities on July 1, with his term running through June 30, 2027, along with 1st Vice Chair JD Dalfonso, President/CEO of Peoria Area CVB; 2nd Vice Chair Krisilee Murphy, Executive Director of Elgin Area CVB; Secretary Ashlee Spiller, Executive Director of VisitSI; and Treasurer Heather Larson, President/CEO of Meet Chicago Northwest.
“Tourism is one of Illinois’ most impactful economic development industries, creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and supporting businesses in communities of every size,” Jobe said in a press release provided by Greats and Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau. “I am honored to serve as Chair of IDA and work alongside such an accomplished group of industry leaders. Together, we will continue to advocate for the importance of tourism, invest in professional development opportunities for our members, and strengthen Illinois’ position as a premier travel destination.”
The Illinois Destination Association and its board consist of members from different destination organizations like Great Rivers and Routes from every region of the state, and work to strengthen the state’s tourism industry and support the success of local destination organizations.
“IDA offers educational opportunities to raise the level of professionalism in the travel industry, providing a forum for networking and cooperative action between members,” the IDA says. “We also maintain a proactive legislative and advocacy effort on issues affecting tourism and business travel in Illinois through our Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Committee.”
The Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau transitioned to the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau in 2018 and has grown to cover the region of Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Calhoun and Greene counties.
Currently, Great Rivers and Routes is working towards the completion of their new visitor center along the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, the Byway Discovery Center.
The 4,500 square-foot facility is being constructed at the mouth of Piasa Creek and will feature parking with access for motor coach buses, outdoor gathering and learning areas, interpretive panels, an outdoor art installation, kiosks, a riverside trail, kayak landing, 1,400 square of feet of permanent exhibit space, a gift shop and more.
“Together we are creating a place for discovery and exploration that will further activate this Great River Road,” Jobe said at the groundbreaking for the Byway Discovery Center. “The center, as we break ground today, will be the first phase and centerpiece of what will be a larger park-like setting for area residents and visitors from all around the world to connect with our river, with nature, kayaking, fishing, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing and bird watching here along the Great River Road.”
A portion of the funding for the project came from a $10 Million Capital Grant that was also used for the bureau’s updates at the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower in Hartford.
“Since 2020, visitor spending in the region has increased by $100 million. Visitor spending related to outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism expenditures has increased by 22 percent over the last two years,” Jobe said when the project was announced. “Soon we will be able to add the new Byway Discovery Center that will orient visitors and residents to the history and culture of our working river region while also making visitors aware of outdoor active living opportunities, related festivals, and serve as an introduction to our river corridor communities.”