Northwest Indiana’s very own candy factory boasts the world’s best gummies! Tour the factory and experience your favorites being made, see the world’s tallest chocolate waterfall and sample some of the best candies around!…more
Awards and Accreditations
Organizational
South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority
(Formerly Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau)
- The South Shore CVA is accredited by DMAI as a DMAP (Destination Marketing Association Program)
- 2009 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Silver Adrian Award for Web Marketing Excellence - Email Marketing Campaign
- 2009 Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) Star Award - Award of Excellence for Supplier Website
- 2009 Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) Star Award - Award of Excellence for Supplier STAR Service (FAM Tour w/ meeting planners)
- 2009 International Academy of the Visual Arts Communicator Award - Award of Excellence (Gold) - 2009 South Shore Visitor’s Guide
- 2008, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing
- 2008 Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) Star Award - Best Membership Program
- 2008 International Academy of the Visual Arts Communicator Award - Silver – Indiana Welcome Center’s “Can’t Hold it?” billboard
- 2008 Indiana Chamber of Commerce Best Places to Work in Indiana - #9 in the Small/Medium Sized Companies
- 2007 Indiana Chamber of Commerce Best Places to Work in Indiana - #6 in the Small/Medium Sized Companies
- 2006 Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) Star Award - Best Newsletter
- 2005 MarCom Creative Awards Honorable Mention - LCCVB’s website
- 2005 MarCom Creative Awards Gold Award - 2005-2006 Lake County Official Visitor’s Guide
- 2005 MarCom Creative Awards Gold Award - Innovations logo
- 2004 Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) Star Award - Best Supplier Total Communication Program (creation of “Indiana’s Chicago”)
- 2004 The Communicator - “Indiana’s Chicago, Now That’s Tourism” TV program
- 2003 International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (IACVB) Idea Fair Best of Show - $2-3 million bureaus for entering a video sales presentation
- 2002 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Bronze Adrian Award - Video Sales Presentation
- 2000 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Silver Award, Public Relations, ACCVA
- 2000 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Golden Bell Gold Award - LCCVB Newsletter
- 1999 International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB) Idea Fair - Bureau operations and management for in-office child care program
- 1996 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Bronze Award, Public Relations, LCCVB
- 1996 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Silver Award, Visitors Guide, LCCVB
- 1995 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Golden Bell Silver Award - Public Relations campaign – community service
- 1995 Hospitality Sales and marketing Association International (HSMAI) Golden Bell Bronze Award - Magazine Category – 1995 Lake County’s Official Visitor’s Guide
- Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Bronze Award, Advertising Campaign, LCCVB, 1994
- 1994 International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB) Idea Fair 1st place - Advertising Category
- 1994 VISTA Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in Tourism - “Shoe-in for Fun” Advertising under $10,000
- 1994 Channel 56/WYIN Most Valuable Player - WYIN Program underwriter
- 1993 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Bronze Adrian Award - Direct mail piece – advertising series
Indiana Welcome Center Building Awards
- 2002 Indiana Hoosier Hospitality Conference VISTA Lt. Governor’s Award
Electronic media for the creations of the Indiana Welcome Center’s Video Wall - 2002 Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) Star Award
Best Total Communication Program for design and implementation of the Indiana Welcome Center’s Video Wall - 2000 CAF Outstanding Architectural Design of the Year
- 2000 CBC (Chicago Building Congress) Merit Award - Building construction under $10 million
- 1999 Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) Outstanding Achievement
Staff Awards and Accreditations
Speros A. Batistatos, FCDME, President/CEO
- 2008 Indiana Minority Business Magazine - Champion of Diversity Award
- 2008 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International - Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing
- 2008 TradeWinds - Ambassador of the Year
- July 2000 Governor of Indiana, Frank O’Bannon Sagamore of the Wabash - Highest civilian honor awarded in Indiana
- 2000 VISTA Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in Tourism - Professional Achievement Award
- July 1999 International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB) - Fellow Certified Destination Management Executive (FCDME)
- July 1997 International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB) - Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) accreditation
- Congressional Appointee, White House Conference on Tourism 1996
Appointed by the Honorable Peter J. Visclosky, Congressman, Indiana 1st District
Jason Sands, Director of Sports Development
- 2011 Received accreditation as a Certified Sports Event Executive through the National Association of Sports Commissions
Jennifer Rush, Interactive Marketing Specialist
- Google Analytics Qualified Certified
- Hootsuite Certified Professional
Luke Weinman, Director of Information Technology
- Google Analytics Qualified Certified
- 2005 Purdue University Calumet’s Department of Communications & Creative Arts, Alumni Committed to Excellence Award
- Purdue University Calumet - Outstanding Radio and Television Student Award
Nicki Mackowski, Director of Public Relations
- FEMA Professional Development Certified
- FEMA Advanced Public Information Officer Certified
Andrea Rivera, Art Director
- 2003 Indiana University Bachelor of Arts Degree Certificate of Honor
- 2003 Indiana University Fine Arts Merit Award
Janis Flutka, Chief Financial Officer
- 2012 Indiana Society of CPA's leadership cabinet member
- 2008 July Destination Marketing Association International- Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) accreditation
- 2006 Indiana CPA Society Outstanding CPA in Government Award
Book Your Stay
What began as a local newspaper’s effort to tell the compelling stories of Northwest Indiana men and women who sacrificed during the Civil War has evolved into a large-scale historical preservation effort. The joint partnership of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and the Calumet Region Civil War Preservation Project seeks to carry forward on hundreds of hours of community service that already have taken place. …more
Conveniently located between Chicago and Indianapolis, Fair Oaks Farms offers a fun family playground that everyone will enjoy! From the Dairy Adventure and Birthday Barn, to the Cheese Factory and Mooville, Fair Oaks Farms will keep the family entertained, and well-fed, for a full day of education and fun!…more
When a guest visits a hotel, restaurant, bank, or gas station, they rarely meet the manager or owner of the establishment. It's up to the front-line employee to make the customer's visit enjoyable.The R.O.S.E. Awards were created to recognize these "directors of first impression" who consistently work hard to make our lives easier. Guests & managers are able to nominate an employee who consistently "goes the extra mile."…more
Heavy industry carried the South Shore economy for decades. Now, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority tells a story about a community: it’s been built by steel but changing from tourism. Northwest Indiana’s appeal is its devotion to ensure new & already existing businesses succeed. Area leaders have teamed together to revitalize the mill towns and make Northwest Indiana the place people want to live & work. …more
Experience the journey of the Passion of Christ as never before in this interactive trail featuring 40 life-sized bronze statues. Experience the various Stations of the Cross with audio descriptions as you walk the winding pathway.…more
With five different casinos, Northwest Indiana offers much excitement and action along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan! With decadent restaurants, world class entertainment and floors (and floors) of slots and table games, your night is just getting started when you test your luck at one of our casinos.…more
Pierogi Fest, the pride of Whiting, is an opportunity for the residents to celebrate their heritage while poking a little fun at themselves at the same time. The one of a kind parade and festival have received countrywide recognition having been featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel.…more
This holiday season, The Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond will feature 6 animated displays featuring scenes from "A Christmas Story". The displays include: Higbee’s Department Store Window, Flick’s Tongue and the Triple Dog Dare, It’s a Major Award, Santa’s Mountain at Higbee’s, the Bumpus Hounds, and the Parker Living Room. The displays were first showcased in 2003 in the windows of the Herald Square Macy’s in New York City. …more
