Attracting & Retaining Top Talent in Champaign-Urbana Illinois

There are many ways for destination organizations to collaborate with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce to attract talent. One way is through strong messaging and visuals about lifestyle factors (in addition to career factors) to appeal to talent on all fronts. Historically this has not been in the wheelhouse of economic development organizations, however, destination organizations are experts at selling the livability of an area and this is where a successful collaboration should begin.

Making sure messaging aligns across tourism and economic development entities shows a united front and makes it easier (and more cost effective) to tell the story of a community. Through the Community Job Application Program and the "Chambana" Welcome Crew, the team at Experience Champaign-Urbana knows just what it takes to attract and retain talent.

Community Job Application Program

In Champaign, Illinois, Experience Champaign-Urbana works in collaboration with the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation to offer the Community Job Application Program, partly funded by Champaign County through its American Rescue Plan Act funds. This program connects new and current residents with over 200 local HR and talent attraction professionals to place people in jobs and connect them with community ambassadors to get them engaged in the community. This short application makes the path to choosing Champaign-Urbana as a destination to live and work easier while helping employers fill jobs.

The project team met with Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “In the age of talent wars, it’s critical that Champaign County stays on the cutting edge of talent attraction tactics,” says McCrory-McKay. “The Community Job Application is an innovative approach that gives future residents an accessible path to “yes” by providing a virtual front door to employment in Champaign County and important information about what matters to them most: personal interests and hobbies, quality of life, and more. We are excited to work with Champaign County employers on this new program.”

Talent is a great convener of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and Experience Champaign-Urbana.

CARLY MCCRORY-MCKAYExecutive Director, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

Training for Realtors’ Association

McCrory-McKay says that talent is a great convener of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and Experience Champaign-Urbana. She says that the Economic Development Corporation benefits from all the collateral developed by Experience Champaign-Urbana, including the website and the visitors’ guide. More importantly, she highlighted the training that Experience Champaign-Urbana provides for the Realtors Association where they guide realtors on marketing the community and its assets.

Quarterly "New to CU Mixers" hosted by the Chambana Welcome Crew serve as an opportunity to connect new residents with community ambassadors.

The “Chambana” Welcome Crew

The project team also met with Laura Weisskopf Bleill, Director of External Engagement at the University of Illinois’ Research Park. Bleill shared insights about the important role that placemaking plays in talent decisions and consequently, the important role that Experience Champaign-Urbana plays in talent attraction and retention. While this is true of for all destinations, it becomes particularly important in international communities like ChampaignUrbana (i.e. destinations with a large share of foreign-born residents) because not only does the destination organization need to promote the amenities of the place, but it also needs to do so in a very welcoming way that encourages newcomers.

The Chambana Welcome Crew is a collaboration between the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, Experience Champaign-Urbana, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It connects new residents or prospective residents with a local ambassador so they can get personalized insights that best suit their needs. This includes invitations to attend local events, getting recommendations on things to do, being part of networking events, and just regular checkins in the first year of moving. Ambassadors have a strong network and knowledge of the Champaign-Urbana area and stand ready to answer questions, share experiences, and ensure a smooth transition into the community

Talent is attracted to Champaign because of the knowledge community values. Experience Champaign-Urbana ensures those are at the forefront of the message.

LAURA WEISSKOPF BLEILLDirector of External Engagement, University of Illinois Research Park

The Destination Effect is a joint initiative by Destinations International and Tempest. To share your destination's success story, please email join@destinationeffect.com.