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Ushering in the New – Fly Champaign-Urbana Welcomes Executive Director Gene Cossey

Event Celebrates New Opportunity and Development at Willard Airport

SAVOY, Ill. (Dec. 16, 2015) – Today in a special event, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign officially welcomed Gene Cossey to the community as the Executive Director for the University of Illinois – Willard Airport. Cossey’s selection to the Champaign-Urbana team followed a national search led by a university-appointed committee. He has more than 25 years of airport management experience and most recently served as the Director of Operations at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Executive Director Gene Cossey

Executive Director Gene Cossey

“Gene brings a wealth of experience to Willard Airport and can begin work immediately on the strategic and air service development plan recommended by the Advisory Board and adopted by the University,” said Associate Chancellor Michael DeLorenzo.

“I’m very happy to be joining the University of Illinois – Willard Airport team and thank the community for being so welcoming,” said Cossey. “The Airport Advisory Board and University staff have already launched several programs to enhance growth at the Airport. I’m excited to take the role of leading these new initiatives and look forward to continuing the momentum they have already established.”

During today’s welcoming event, the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® presented a check to the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $5,000 to assist with obtaining an economic impact study for the Airport, a project in partnership with the University of Illinois. The study, which will be completed by Sixel Consulting Group, the Airport’s air service development consulting firm, will determine the current economic impact the Airport has on Champaign County while highlighting the potential impact that would come from improved services and additional flights. The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® obtained the funds through a Smart Growth Action Grant sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS®. The study will assist the University and community by showcasing growth initiatives that help position the Airport as a regional transportation asset.

Champaign County Association of REALTORS® Check Presentation

Champaign County Association of REALTORS® Check Presentation

“The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® is eager to support and help fund this economic impact study on the future expansion of Willard Airport,” said Stefanie Pratt, president of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®. “We believe this effort will provide long-term benefits for both the local housing and commercial real estate market, promote business growth, further the ongoing success of the University of Illinois and overall economic vitality of Champaign County. This study provides an opportunity to attract new residents and businesses to our community and further improve our area’s image as an exciting place to live and work.”

In addition to the $5,000 contributed by the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®, a number of other area businesses have contributed funds towards the study. Businesses that have contributed to the study fund include:

  • Champaign County EDC
  • City of Champaign
  • City of Urbana
  • Deep Silver Volition
  • Farnsworth Group
  • Flightstar Corporation
  • Frasca International
  • Human Kinetics
  • Litania Sports Group
  • Robeson’s, Inc.
  • Village of Savoy

During today’s event, the Airport also showcased new American Airlines branding and terminal updates. The terminal updates have been underway and passengers will notice that the check-in area has been reskinned to align with the new American Airlines branding and that two updated kiosks are featured for easy, hassle-free check-in. The ticket counters in the departure lounge have been moved closer to the departure gate which has opened the room up and allowed for a more comfortable and welcoming area.

In August, the University of Illinois – Willard Airport along with members of the Airport Advisory Board unveiled new Airport branding initiatives which included new logos, a revamped IFlyCU.com website and a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. To coincide with the brand unveiling, the Airport has been implementing a full strategic marketing and air service development plan which has included a traditional advertising campaign, social media and outreach efforts focused on both the general traveling public and local business communities. The goal of the marketing and air service develop plan is to encourage more travelers from Champaign County to utilize the Airport for their travel needs.

About Fly Champaign-Urbana

When you Fly Champaign-Urbana you save time and money. Minutes from anywhere in Champaign County, University of Illinois – Willard Airport offers competitive fares with access to more than 175 cities on four continents with just a single stop. The Airport is served by American Airlines with six daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare and a daily non-stop flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle. University of Illinois – Willard Airport boasts a terminal facility that is easy to navigate and parking is just a few steps from the plane. Next time you travel, remember to Fly Champaign-Urbana.

Press:

Fly Champaign-Urbana welcomes Executive Director Gene Cossey, Smile Politely

New Willard leader already has wheels up, The News-Gazette

Donation will cover cost of economic impact study, WCIA 3 News

University of Illinois Willard Airport welcomes new Executive Director, FOX 55/27 Illinois

Photos:

Champaign County EDC

Champaign County Association of REALTORS®

 

 

 

2016 Innovation Celebration Finalists Announced

IC LogoThe Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce finalists for the 11th Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.

Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the Champaign County EDC, University of Illinois, Parkland College and the community.

The winner of each award category will be announced at Innovation Celebration 2016, held at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. To RSVP and learn more about the event, visit www.innovationcelebration.com.

Award Finalists

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
PSYONIC
Pens to Lens
MakerGirl

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Blink Technologies
FlipWord
BioAnalytics

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Inprentus
Quicket Solutions
RINGR

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
iVenture Accelerator
Stephanie Larson
Paul Magelli

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
State Farm Research & Development Center
The Pygmalion Festival

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
John Busbee
Mike Folk
John-Paul Buzard

Innovation: Longevity Award
Wolfram
Pixo
R Systems NA, Inc.

2016 Innovation Transfer Award Recipient – University of Illinois
Dr. Paul Hergenrother

Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College
Award recipient will be announced at the event.

The EDC is pleased to work with the following sponsors of Innovation Celebration 2016: the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, and Office of Technology Management, along with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Parkland College, Singleton Law Firm, Serra Ventures, Pavlov Media, BRG Sports, City of Champaign, Village of Rantoul, Martin Hood Friese & Associates, EpiWorks, Illinois Applied Research Institute, Fox Development Corporation, Ramshaw Real Estate, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, U of I Employees Credit Union, Surface 51, M2 on Neil, and McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff.

 

 

 

Innovation Celebration 2016: Save the Date + Nominations Open

We are pleased to announce the 11th Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of those individuals and IC Logoorganizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in our community.

January 22, 2016
5:30-8:30 pm
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Lobby

The awards have been established to recognize the various ways in which individuals and organizations have utilized innovation, creativity, and leadership for entrepreneurial endeavors and economic development in the community. Please nominate as many people/organizations as you would like. Nominations will be viewed and judged in early December 2015 by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced soon after.

To learn more about the event, nominate someone, view past award winners, watch our videos, and RSVP, visit our event website.

#INNCEL

Interested in sponsoring the 2016 event? Email Liz Kellner (Innovation Celebration Committee Chair) for more information.

Nominations are open to the public and will be accepted through November 27, 2015.

Champaign-Urbana Reminds World of Innovation History with “You’re Welcome” Campaign

Effort highlights history of innovation, culture, quality of life
YW Logo

Champaign, IL (September 23, 2015) – From the plasma TV to the Web browser to LED technology and oh-so-delicious whipped cream in a can, Champaign-Urbana has a rich legacy of innovation that is virtually unmatched. Yet, few people outside of the 217 area code realize that this Menlo Park of the Midwest was responsible for a remarkable number of innovations and companies that have changed the world.

Enter “You’re Welcome”, a national marketing campaign that seeks to infuse Champaign-Urbana with community pride while letting everyone else in on the little secret we already know: while C-U is a hub of smarts with a legacy of innovation, it’s also a great place to live, work, and dream up new ideas. “We know C-U is a fantastic place, now it is time to tell the world,” said Craig Rost, director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “It is awesome how this project has pulled the community together to tell our story.”

“Champaign-Urbana is one of the most talent-dense, well educated, and diverse regions in the U.S.,” said Laura Frerichs, director of the Research Park at the University of Illinois, which is home to software engineering hubs for companies like Yahoo, Anheuser-Busch, John Deere, Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, Raytheon and the award-winning EnterpriseWorks startup incubator. “The university’s top ranked engineering, informatics and computer science programs have created a robust pipeline of innovators with technical skills to fuel an unusually large technology community that is balanced by an outstanding quality of life.”

The You’re Welcome website is an information-rich portal of community information that includes a community job board; C-U brag points and community rankings; local videos and photo galleries; downloads of information and materials; and links to organizations and resources. It will be an asset for local businesses and organizations looking to recruit skilled talent to the area.

You’re Welcome is a true community collaboration that crosses city and town-gown boundaries. Led by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and the University of Illinois Research Park, sponsors also include City of Champaign; Wolfram; Yahoo!; Busey; Amdocs; EpiWorks, Inc.; Benefit Planning Consultants, Inc.; Pixo; East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council; Riverbed; Singleton Law Firm; Grainger, Inc.; Village of Savoy; Smith/Burgett Architects, Inc.; Taylor Studios; Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Barham Benefit Group; Polyvinyl Record Co.; and The Pygmalion Festival. Multiple community partners also participated in the ideation and implementation of the campaign.

For more information, please visit YoureWelcomeCU.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Sponsorships are still available.

Just a friendly tip from the friendly Midwest. You’re Welcome.

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Press:

Fly Champaign-Urbana Unveiled as New Brand of University of Illinois – Willard Airport

Article Source: Smile Politely #iFlyCU

SAVOY, IL (Aug. 19, 2015) – Fly Champaign-Urbana has officially been unveiled as the new brand for University of Illinois – Willard Airport. New logos, a revamped IFlyCU.com website as well as social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been established as part of larger effort to increase awareness of the Airport and encourage Central Illinois travelers to choose Willard Airport. To celebrate, the Airport is partnering with Fighting Illini athletics to host the “Ultimate Illini Flyaway” social media promotion which will begin Monday, August 24.

The new brand is part of an 18 month initiative the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board has been working on to pave the way for the Airport’s future. The Advisory Board, which is made up of a group of 20 leaders dedicated to the success of the Airport, has developed a full strategic marketing and air service development plan which will be implemented in the following months. The enhanced branding includes a new website, a traditional advertising campaign, social media and outreach efforts focused on both the general traveling public and local business communities. The new branding was chosen, after research conducted by the Advisory Board identified a need to connect the airport to the two largest cities in the region.

“The new branding is more than a logo, it’s a mission that will drive us forward in our thinking and planning,” said Steve Carter, Chair of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board. “The work of the Advisory Board is already paying off, in 2014 the number of passengers utilizing Willard Airport grew 11 percent, making it the best year since 2008. 2015 is looking even better and we hope the community will realize the value when you Fly Champaign-Urbana with this new branding.”

The logo was designed to match the colors of the Fighting Illini and features easy to read stylistic elements. The jet seen inside the word “Fly” points up, indicating the ascending path of the Airport, the University and the region. The jet is also a silhouette of the current aircraft serving the Airport, and can be adjusted should larger aircraft be deployed in Champaign- Urbana. The official name of the Airport, University of Illinois – Willard Airport, will not change. The newly coined IFlyCU.com website features an easy-to-remember URL that directly corresponds with the new branding.

To celebrate the new Fly Champaign-Urbana brand, the Airport has teamed-up with Fighting Illini athletics for a social media promotion beginning Monday, August 24 and running through Sunday, Sept. 6. Through the Fighting Illini Facebook page, fans may enter to win the grand prize of season tickets to all home Fighting Illini athletic games as well as two tickets to one away football game and a $1,000 American Airlines gift card provided by University of Illinois – Willard Airport. A second prize winner will receive season tickets to all home Fighting Illini basketball games. Details on the contest will be announced on Monday, August 24, on Fighting Illini Facebook page and at the Airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

About Fly Champaign-Urbana

When you Fly Champaign-Urbana you save time and money. Minutes from anywhere in Champaign County, University of Illinois – Willard Airport offers competitive fares with access to more than 175 cities on four continents with just a single stop. The Airport is served by American Airlines with six daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare and a daily non-stop flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle. University of Illinois – Willard Airport boasts a terminal facility that is easy to navigate and parking is just a few steps from the plane. Next time you travel, remember to Fly Champaign-Urbana. For more information visit IFlyCU.com.

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Press:

 

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