Mission Statement "It is the mission of the Rochelle Tourism & Visitor's Association to preserve and promote the inherent
characteristics of the Hub City's highways, railways, businesses and quality of life."
Director - Ross Freier
Assistant Director - Keith Peters
RTVA Board
President - Glenda Bloomingdale (Comfort Inn & Suites Manager)
Vice President - Naomi Baldwin (Colonial Flowers Owner)
Sec/Treas - Cathy Cox (First National Bank of Rochelle VP)
Chet Olson (Mayor of Rochelle)
Jeana Abbott (Rochelle Chamber Director)
Sue Messer (City of Rochelle)
Robin Baldwin (Abraham's Owner)
Janet Stocking (Flagg Township Museum)
Cindy Knight (Petro Travel Plaza)
The main goal of the Rochelle Tourism & Visitor’s Association is to put “heads in beds”, meaning people staying in Rochelle’s hotels.
One way we accomplish this is through advertising hotels, attractions and events which bring overnight guests to Rochelle.
The RTVA is a non-for-profit, 501c3 organization and is funded by a 5% Rochelle hotel tax.
The items listed below are funded with the hotel tax and grants.
Accomplishments
Staff the Rochelle Visitor's Center located in the 1918 Standard Oil Filling Station
Distribution of area brochures
Established partnership with the Flagg Township Museum
Assisted in the creation of a Tourism Overlay Area in Rochelle
Created a new event called Rochelle Regatta
Created a new event called Rochelle Railroad Days
Designed and purchased new Rochelle entrance signs
Attained management of the Rochelle Railroad Park
Establishment of Rochelle Railroad Park website
Promote Rochelle with the creation of various Rochelle rack cards and advertisements
Partner with CTM Brochure Distribution to distribute brochures in the Chicago area
Assisted with the Lincoln Highway "Emily Post" mural
Chicago-Rockford Airport banner and Chicago Oasis banners for Rochelle
Created safety signs for the Rochelle Railroad Park with the assistance of the Rochelle Street Dept.
Created a new event with the Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce called "Rochelle Transportation Festival".
Financially support the following organizations and events
Blackhawk Waterways CVB
Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce
Flagg Township Museum
Illinois Rail Trail
Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival
Rochelle PBA Pro-Am Tournament
Rochelle Railroad Days
Rochelle Transportation Festival
Current Projects
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program funding application
Expansion of the Rochelle Railroad Park
Lincoln Highway Gazebo at the Rochelle Railroad Park
Interpretive Plan for Rochelle
Partnership with Rochelle Chamber and Downtown Rochelle Association to develop Rochelle Brochure
The creation of a Rochelle Community Calendar website.
RTVA Representation on the following boards and organizations
Blackhawk Waterways CVB Board
Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce Board
Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition Board
Flagg Township Historical Society Board
Rochelle Rotary Board
Downtown Rochelle Association
Ogle County Transportation Committee
