Heritage Corridor Destinations Wins 2026 Skift IDEA Industry Innovators Award for The Landing Pad

Heritage Corridor Destinations has been named a winner of the 2026 Skift IDEA Industry Innovators Award for its role in founding The Landing Pad Souvenir Shop, an innovative project that is shaping the future of Route 66 tourism.  

The 2026 Skift IDEA Awards received a record-breaking 492 entries, with The Landing Pad selected among the projects recognized for driving the tourism industry forward and creating an engaging experience for travelers. Heritage Corridor Destinations President & CEO Robert Navarro accepted the award on behalf of the organization at the Skift Global Forum in New York City on Sept. 23, 2026.  

Developed through a partnership between Heritage Corridor Destinations, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the City of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Park District, The Landing Pad transformed the rescue of Wilmington’s iconic Gemini Giant “Muffler Man” into a new visitor experience along The First Hundred Miles of Route 66. 

Standing 30 feet tall, the fiberglass Gemini Giant has been a symbol of community pride and a Route 66 icon since 1965. When the Giant was put up for auction in 2024, residents and Route 66 enthusiasts faced the possibility of losing one of America’s last remaining Muffler Men. Through a state-funded acquisition by the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the Giant was rescued and relocated to its new home in Wilmington's South Island Park. 

Located just steps from the Gemini Giant, The Landing Pad gives visitors more than a quick roadside photo opportunity. The souvenir shop offers one-of-a-kind Gemini Giant merchandise and products from Illinois artists and makers while connecting travelers with the story of the Giant and the community of Wilmington. 

Since opening, The Landing Pad has welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world while creating local jobs, increasing visitor spending, and turning the preservation of an iconic Route 66 landmark into a sustainable driver of community pride and economic impact. 

“This recognition showcases what can happen when tourism partners come together to reimagine a familiar attraction,” said Robert Navarro, President & CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations. “The Landing Pad has given the Gemini Giant a new chapter while creating a place where visitors can experience authentic Route 66, support local businesses and makers, and spend more time exploring Wilmington. We’re proud to share this award with the Joliet Area Historical Museum, Wilmington Park District, and the entire Wilmington community.” 

The Landing Pad previously received the Bureau Innovation Award at the 2025 Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau Fall Conference, recognizing the project’s innovation, community impact, and success in attracting and engaging travelers. 

For more information about The Landing Pad and Route 66 attractions throughout The First Hundred Miles, visit TheFirstHundredMiles.com.