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The seven grant recipients are:

Illinois State Soccer Association, Village of Bridgeview, USASA National Cup Finals - $2,803 The USASA National Cup Finals will take place July 20-22, 2012 at TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, and is the first time the Chicago Southland is hosting the event. The Chicago Southland is now positioning itself to be the permanent home for the National Cup Finals. The grant will cover 60% of the costs to print posters and the resource guide.

Chicago Ridge Park District, Village of Chicago Ridge, US Open 2012 Mini-Golf Tournament - $1,463 The US Pro Miniature Golf Open is a twelve round tournament that takes place July 29-29, 2012 at Ball Fore Miniature Golf Course in Chicago Ridge. This tournament features professional and amateur miniature golf players nationally and internationally. The grant will cover 60% of the costs to print brochures and advertise in the Illinois Press Network of Illinois Newspapers, at the Michigan Golf Show and the Fox Cities Golf Expo in Wisconsin.

Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, Villages of Homewood & Flossmoor, Wifflefest - $2,700 Wifflefest is a wiffle ball tournament for 18-35 year olds on July 21, 2012. Participants compete in two divisions: recreational and fast pitch. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is expanding this tournament. This grant will cover 60% of advertising in publications at the following universities: Ohio State University, Indiana University, University of Wisconsin  Madison, and the University of Cincinnati. The grant will also cover 60% of the radio spots to be aired on B96 and online advertising.

Mokena Community Park District, Village of Mokena, 2nd Annual Summertime Stride 5K Run/Walk - $495 The 2nd Annual Summertime Stride 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for June 9, 2012. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit The Vasculitis Foundation. Mokena would like to grow this event and has recently become a CARA Certified Race. They will now be visible to the 9,000 CARA members. The grant will pay for 60% of the radio spots on Star 96.7 FM radio station.

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Chicago Gaelic Park, City of Oak Forest, Irish Fest Promotion - $7,500 The 26th Annual Irish Fest will take place May 25-28, 2012, at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. This festival is an outdoor event celebrating Irish culture, heritage, and music. The event attracts between 20,000 and 60,000, depending on weather, nationally and internationally. The grant will pay for a portion of the ads in Irish American News, Irish Echo, and Irish Voice along with radio ads on WDRV-FM.

IL Assn. of Chiefs of Police, Village of Tinley Park, Midwest Security & Police Conference/Expo - $3,525 The Midwest Security & Police Conference/Expo (MSPCE) will be held August 21-22, 2012 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. The MSPCE is an annual education and training event with a trade show. The grant will cover 60% of the costs to design and print invitations and design a website for the event.

Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, Village of University Park, Summer of Sculpture 2012 - $2,500 The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will be conducting a unified campaign for the summers visitation season. The theme will be Summer of Sculpture 2012. A logo will be developed specifically for this theme. The grant will pay for the ad in a Your Family monthly publication produced by the NW Indiana Times.

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau developed the Local Tourism Matching Grant program in 1991, and since the programs inception has awarded over $875,000 in grants. Annually, the CVB can award up to $46,000 in five grant cycles. The CVBs Local Tourism Matching Grant Program is designed for not-for-profit organizations and/or municipalities for promotion of their festivals, events, and attractions targeted to visitors outside the Chicago Southland region.

The Chicago Southland CVB periodically hosts Grant Writing Workshops to assist grant writers in preparation of the application. The next Grant Writing Workshop will be April 26, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. at the CSCVB offices. For information about the Local Tourism Matching Grant program, call the Chicago Southland CVB at 708-895-8200 or learn more about the grant at the CVB website, www.visitchicagosouthland.com/about_grant.cfm.

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