Ana B. Koval’s Post

The latest Heritage Corridor Destinations Guide is out... And it's I&M Canal-focused! Keep an eye out for it. 👀 📖 It was a great thrill to once again partner with Robert Navarro and his team on developing content promoting all the things to do, see, eat and experience in the I&M Canal National Heritage Area. Also excited that photos I've taken, like this one of Canalport Plaza in Morris, IL, made it into the guide. What are your fav experiences in the I&MCNHA? Lauren Las Bridget Gervasi Katherine Meehan Claire Mierzwa #iandmcanal #heritagecorridor #heritagecorridordestinations #illinois #travel #tourism #enjoyillinois #community #nationalheritageareas

Discover new ways to take advantage of CCA partnership opportunities at the Official Canal Alliance Congress. Last spring, we debuted the area's Day in the Country Farm, Barn & Ag Tour, which was a partnership between a number of people, organizations and us (the Canal Corridor Association or CCA). That event, in which we provided logistics and marketing, provides an example of the new models of partnership we're offering to I&M Canal National Heritage Area organizations. The strategy is to fill the gaps (logistics, relationships, marketing, insurance, etc.) so that your planned activities, events or promotions can come to fruition. We're looking forward to sharing and discussing these models at this year's annual meeting as we look for new ways to partner with attendees and their organizations. Get the first crack at this opportunity by joining us. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gvGvPATf #iandmcanal #nonprofit #nonprofitleadership #strategicplanning #illinois #community #planning #nationalheritagearea

When I joined the Canal Corridor Association, I wouldn't have thought my responsibilities would grow to include bike wrangler, mule tender and café manager. Luckily, as we continue to improve upon our reopened Lock 16 Café, I'm lucky that two of the best café team members we ever had have returned: Chef Jacque and Missy. Who you are as an organization depends on who you have within that organization. Within our café, Jacque and Missy have pushed things forward, revamping our menu while bringing back favorites, like our weekly soup specials (served hot or frozen to go). Beyond the café, this also enables our organization to take advantage of this quality food and service in other manners, such as offering catered lunches as part of our Group Boat Tours. It's such a relief when you have good people you can trust. Right now, I'm lucky to have a really good team throughout our organization, and, as a result, we're able to add to our programming and do some amazing things. How about you? What does your team bring to the table? #iandmcanal #illinois #community #enjoyillinois #nationalheritagearea #team #teamwork #teammember #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #cafe

So thrilled that over 70 GROUPS have experienced our I&M Canal Boat Tour this season. If yours hasn't... There's still time this season (or secure your preferred date for next season). Contact Patti (lasalle@iandmcanal.org) to book >

Engaged kids! 💗 We had a group of SEVENTY FIVE fifth graders visit us recently (oof) and what could have been pandemonium was actually an amazing day. Between riding the I&M Canal Boat Tour, meeting Moe the Mule and hearing stories about how the canal resulted in the birth of their hometown, the growth of Chicago and the changing of the face of the United States, these kids were active participants in these interactive activities. These are the next generation of stewards of the I&M Canal National Heritage Area. Always love it when we can have them over to the boat and Lock 16 Visitor Center. Their curiosity and enthusiasm reminds me why we do this. What reminds you about why you do what you do? What are ways you and/or your organization have engaged with the next generation? There's still time for you to bring your group or school to ride our I&M Canal Boat this season (we run through October). Or, you can sign up for next year. Group info: https://lnkd.in/gwe6PNgh Field Trips: https://lnkd.in/gCywBz2N #iandmcanal #nonprofit #nonprofitleadership #strategicplanning #illinois #community #planning #nationalheritagearea #kids #fieldtrip #companyouting #grouptours #teambonding #groupouting #sightseeing

More than just an interactive day of engaging discussions and workshops, the Official Canal Alliance Congress also offers this fun, unique activity as a bonus. Join us: https://lnkd.in/gvGvPATf

Comfortable weather, beautiful fall scenery and now half-price on Sundays. If you've always wanted to take our boat tour (or always wanted to come back), now is definitely the time.

This should prove to be an incredible addition to this year's Official Annual Canal Alliance Congress meeting. A valuable, must-attend workshop for those looking to market their organization and tell its story.

Looking back through my LinkedIn posts, I saw this photo of these two cute visitors to the I&M Canal Visitor Center and was reminded what we do this for. 💗 As the coordinating agency of the I&M Canal National Heritage Area, one of our mission goals is to engage with the younger generation and bring in new stewrds for our our NHA. That's why this year we've created our Canal Boat Kids program (boat tours on our 1840s-Replica, Mule-Powered I&M Canal Boat that are more kid focused). You can learn more about that here: https://lnkd.in/gfUkreh9 We're also in the process of updating and revamping the booklets for our National Park Service Jr. Ranger Activity Book. We want to make them more specific to our area while also ensuring they're fun. We're hoping lots of kids can join these two girls as sworn-in Jr. Rangers. What ways are you engaging the next generation? Would love to hear in the comments below. 👇 #iandmcanal #nonprofit #nonprofitleadership #strategicplanning #illinois #community #planning #nationalheritagearea #kids

Still time left to book a group tour this fall!