Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau recently was honored by a local organization. The Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #125 awarded the JACVB for its ongoing support of the local FOP Lodge.
The Blue and Gold Award is presented to a non-police organization that has shown great generosity and support for the FOP.
Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Brittany Henry says, she was taken off guard when she realized the visitors bureau was receiving an award.
“It took my a minute to realize it was for us. I just thought, oh someone is getting this great award. As I was reading it, I realized it was for us. It was an honor to receive it. Everyone came over on Friday to receive the award and we are just very grateful that they thought of us.” said Henry.
CVB’s relationship with FOP has been around longer than Henry’s tenure. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #125 has worked with CVB to host its annual golf outing. She talks about how they expanded their relationship.
“It brings a lot of people here, typically they host it in September. They book a lot of hotels,they come in they golf, they eat, it’s a great revenue generator for our community. About 70 people come in for a couple of days and that’s a lot of money they are spending and that doesn’t include the lodging as well. We thought it was a good relationship to continu e with them and it was a good opportunity to educate them on the services we offer. And that’s how we were able to partner with them on things and able to help them secure some great hotel rooms they are here and make sure they know what to do while they are visiting here as well.” said Henry.
Henry talks about the other ways CVB helps the FOP.
“Another thing we helped them with is meeting space. We feel that FOP Lodge #125, we want them to be able to have a place here in Jacksonville continue to hold their meetings. That’s something we help them with. They are one of the largest organizations in the United States. We think it’s important for them and important for us.” Henry said.
The Fraternal Order of Police was founded in 1915 and is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. The Illinois FOP started in 1963 and is the second largest state lodge. 34,000 active duty and retired officers make up the Illinois FOP.