Several past and upcoming meetings and events should raise the profile of the Chicago Southland as a visitor destination in the consumer's mind.

This past summer, the Southland hosted the Medicus Junior Golf Tournament at Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort, bringing about 85 teenage golfers from across the nation to the Southland to compete in this American Junior Golf Association event. The youngsters spent three days in the Southland with coaches, family, and spectators enjoying their time here and focusing attention on the Southland as a tournament golf destination.

No wonder the Southland is known as a golf hot spot! With 33 public courses and numerous private courses capable of hosting tournaments, Southland courses have hosted some of the "big ones" over the years, including the 2003 U.S. Open Golf Championship, the 1997 U.S. Senior Open and numerous Western Opens at several different Southland venues.

Rumors abound that Cog Hill's Course 4, "Dubsdread," could be the future site of a U.S. Open after its multimillion-dollar renovation is complete in spring 2009. Already a popular golf destination, Cog Hill hosted this past summer's BMW Championship, and the renovation of Dubsdread will presumably bring even more tournament play.

Blue Island, the Chicago Rowing Center and Fay's Point LLC will host six of the Midwest's top women's collegiate rowing crews on Nov. 4 at the "The Southland Regatta at Fay's Point" along the Calumet-Sag Channel in Blue Island and Calumet Park.

More than 300 novice and varsity crew members from Indiana University, the University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, Michigan State University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin will compete in both novice and varsity head races and 2,000-meter Olympic-style races. Many of these athletes, their coaches and parents will spend the preceding evening in Chicago Southland hotels, bringing an influx of visitors to the region, positively affecting the Southland economy.

The public is invited to attend the races Nov. 4 to witness the river renaissance happening in the Chicago Southland.

In November, several religious conferences will be held at various locations throughout the Southland, and one of the nation's top financial advisors will host a regional conference in the area. These events will bring thousands of visitors to the region to participate in meetings and seminars.

Looking ahead to 2008, two professional hairdresser's shows -- The Proud Lady Show and The American Health and Beauty Aids Show -- are scheduled for the region, bringing thousands of hairdressers and suppliers to the Tinley Park Convention Center.

The Chicago Southland CVB Sales Team continually searches for new meetings and events to bring to our region, and you can help by bringing your meeting home to the Southland. If you are a member of an organization, association or group that meets on a state, regional or nation basis, call the Chicago Southland CVB at (708) 895-8200.

The CSCVB -- like convention and visitors bureaus across the country -- can assist you and your group in staging a successful meeting or event. It's our job, and it's at no cost to you.