The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (SSCVA), a sales and marketing organization promoting tourism in Northwest Indiana, hosted its annual partnership summit on Tuesday, November 14 at the Indiana Welcome Center. Representatives from a range of businesses and organizations that collaborate with the SSCVA gathered in the festively decorated lobby – transformed for the holiday season – where they enjoyed light bites, drinks, and networking before joining SSCVA President and CEO Phillip Taillon for a presentation highlighting Lake County’s recent tourism successes and future plans.
Taillon, who joined the SSCVA just five months ago, expressed optimism about the direction of Lake County tourism and provided an update on recent achievements.
“Lake County tourism is very strong and moving in the right direction,” he said. "In 2022, we saw over $1.2 billion in visitor spending, and that number just keeps increasing."
He credited this growth to the Region’s expanding calendar of events along with the development of local downtowns that are helping attract visitors.
The SSCVA, which actively collaborates with local towns and cities, plays a key role in both promoting existing attractions and facilitating new initiatives that support regional economic development. As the organization wraps up 2024, Taillon emphasized his commitment to bringing fresh energy and ideas to the SSCVA’s initiatives for 2025.
“Since I just started, I told the team we’re going to come up with new initiatives for 2025,” he said. “I’m giving myself until the end of this year to really learn everything I can.”
Taillon shared his experience in tourism-related roles, including his 16-year tenure with the City of Hammond, where he contributed to similar projects aimed at enhancing the city’s tourism and economic growth. While still in the early stages of developing the 2025 plans, Taillon assured attendees that the SSCVA would continue to focus on engaging and impactful events to boost Northwest Indiana’s visibility as a travel destination.
“We’re planning to bring a lot of energy and creativity to attract more visitors to Northwest Indiana,” he said. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with all the cities and towns on these new ideas.”
He encouraged partners to stay involved and bring forth new ideas, noting that the SSCVA is open to further collaboration with local businesses and organizations to maximize the Region’s tourism potential.
Financial fundamentals were also a key topic of Taillon’s address, as he outlined the role of strategic funding in ensuring long-term growth.
“We’re adding more events—especially music and sports tourism—and our downtowns are growing and attracting more visitors,” he said.
This focus on developing diverse revenue streams, he explained, will allow the SSCVA to expand its offerings and support Northwest Indiana’s local economy.
The event concluded with Taillon thanking attendees for their continued support of the SSCVA’s mission.
“Tourism in Lake County is thriving, and the SSCVA continues to develop creative ideas to bring in more people. Things are going very well,” he said.
As the organization moves into 2025, the SSCVA is committed to both preserving and enhancing the unique qualities that make Northwest Indiana a standout destination in the Midwest.
Through these efforts, SSCVA is helping shape a vibrant future for Northwest Indiana, where tourism not only boosts the local economy but also supports the community’s pride and identity. By embracing creativity, partnership, and growth, the SSCVA aims to make the Region an increasingly attractive destination that celebrates its unique character and provides memorable experiences for visitors and residents. As it moves into 2025, the SSCVA’s commitment to enhancing regional tourism marks an exciting journey for Lake County and the communities it serves.
To learn more about the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, visit southshorecva.com.