There’s a sweet little agent incentive running right now with Brand USA, and it’s to win a neat mystery getaway for two.

All you have to do is upskill yourself on the good ol’ USA. Sounds pretty easy right? Not to mention fun!

Brand USA’s training site covers a whole bunch of American regions and experiences, giving agents smart and comprehensive guides to selling the ultimate American holidays. And of course, score a few sneaky commissions.

The online training comes with 37 badges in total, but for now why not just check in with the five newest ones? By completing the five new training badges, you’ll get in the running for the two-night getaway for two people, complete with flights, accommodation, transfers and destination info.

The five newest badges to get skilled up on are:

1. Alamo
2. Wyoming
3. Chicago
4. Illinois (which we’re featuring today!)
5. Discover the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

Today we’re giving you the best tidbits of Illinois, a seriously hot contender for best destination of the year. Don’t believe us? Check out the below ‘best of’ guide, and get all the info you need to do the training and win big.

The incentive is open now, with winners announced on October 6.

Click HERE to get cracking, and in the meantime, let’s get to know the stunning Illinois.

Illinois

Everyone comes to Illinois to visit Chicago, but stay a while longer and you’ll uncover all Illinois has to offer. Meander from the historic river towns in the north-west to the national forests of the south, enjoying a wealth of activities and attractions along the way.

Get outdoorsy

• Go hot air ballooning in Illinois and float thousands of feet above the rolling hills of Great Rivers Country for unforgettable golden hour views at sunrise and sunset, with Galena On The Fly, Inc.
• Go downhill skiing in Illinois, with your guide to the best skiing in the Midwest. Illinois ski resorts, ski and snowboard slopes from Chestnut Mountain to Raging Buffalo.
• Pack your picnic basket and find the perfect spot to spread out Rochelle Railroad Park, Giant City State Park, and Windmont Park.

Get historical

• Statesville Haunted Prison is considered one of Illinois’ best haunted houses for almost two decades, featuring 150 live actors, 40 detailed rooms, and an average time of 40-50 minutes required to get through it all.
• Head to the Old Market House State Historic Site to experience community life during the town’s Golden Era, with the exhibit featuring several artifacts from this president and Civil War hero.
• Witness the breathtaking monument that is the Lincoln Tomb, in which lies the remains of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons.
• Dare to enter the Peoria Asylum, formerly known as the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane, for a tour and hear stories of the history of the hospital, employees and the inmates.

Go out at night

• Stop in for some cold, craft brewed beer, great pizza and mouthwatering BBQ at Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.
• Head to Port of Blarney, where the décor takes you on a journey to the islands, complete with piers, boats, palm trees and magnificent murals.
• Enjoy a night at the J. Parker at Hotel Lincoln, Chicago, for signature cocktails accompanied by 360-degree views of Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park and the Chicago skyline from the 13th floor.
• Hit up the Laugh Factory for world class comedians, private booths, and quaint cabaret seating.
• Grab a cocktail that’s more like a work of art at The Aviary, Chicago, where a full-time “ice chef” creates more than a dozen shapes for creative craft drinks.

Get cultured

• Venture into The Hive Studio & Gallery, an art studio and gallery offering classes for adults and children of all ages and abilities or the Von Dell Gallery & Studios to see the locals working on their art.
• In the centre of downtown Chicago at the Daley Civic Center, see the world-renowned Picasso sculpture at “Under the Picasso”.
• Enjoy The Virginia Theater, a landmark in the business district of Champaign and in the history of the region since 1921.
• Spend a night with The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, the largest performing arts organisation in the Chicago Southland.
• Wander through the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District to see the world’s greatest concentration of Wright-designed structures.