For more information contact:  

Valeria Davis, Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism, 608/266-2147 

Kathleen Seeberg, Walworth County Visitors’ Bureau, 262/723-3980

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WALWORTH COUNTY COMMUNITIES AWARDED $40,000 TOURISM MARKETING GRANT

Joint Effort Marketing program funds will help promote fall leisure travel in the region

EAST TROY, Wis. (Aug. 8, 2007) -- Wisconsin Tourism Deputy Secretary Mark Richardson today announced a $40,000 tourism marketing grant to the Walworth County Visitors’ Bureau and its partner communities for the “Country With Character” destination marketing promotion. The promotion begins Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 28.to draw travelers to the Walworth County region, including Burlington, Delavan, East Troy, Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, Mukwonago, Sharon, Walworth, Whitewater and Williams Bay.

The “Country With Character – Walworth County” promotion highlights the opportunity to learn and explore Wisconsin’s agricultural history, traditions and simple pleasures while enjoying a quiet fall getaway in the country. Travelers can visit farms, enjoy festivals and outdoor recreation, shop, savor locally-grown produce and fine cuisine and visit the area’s unique treasures, including Yerkes Observatory, Black Point Museum, the Geneva Lake shore path, or the East Troy Electric Railroad Museum. The Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant will help to promote these recreational and relaxation pursuits as well as draw more than $600,000 in traveler spending to the region.

“There’s plenty to learn about the history and contemporary practices of Wisconsin’s largest industry, as well as the fascinating traditions of agricultural life,” said Tourism Deputy Secretary Mark Richardson. “For travelers, it’s a chance to enjoy the pace of rural America, the incredible beauty of the autumn harvest season and countless ways to be outside from biking to barn dancing. These experiences and adventures will reveal a whole different side of Wisconsin for more urban dwellers and they’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Wisconsin’s historic reputation as a popular recreational and relaxation destination is also highlighted with the chance to see the seasonal country mansions of Chicago’s well-to-do around Lake Geneva.

“It’s no secret that retreating to Wisconsin is a time-honored tradition,” Richardson said. “It’s a great time to spread the word about fun in the country.”

The JEM program assists non-profit tourism organizations by providing funds to help advertise events, sales promotions and destination marketing projects. In fiscal 2007, the program awarded $1.47 million to 59 projects. The state funds up to 75 percent of the project’s first year of advertising and marketing costs. Additional support may be available for the second and third years of the project.

JEM proposals are submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and are reviewed by the Department staff and a JEM Review Committee. For more information on the JEM program, contact Abbie Hill at 608/261-6272, or visit http://agency.travelwisconsin.com.

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