For more information, contact:

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

Jenny Jennings, Menomonee Falls Chamber & Visitors Center, 262/251-2430

MENOMONEE FALLS BARBECUE EVENT EARNS $30,000 SECOND-YEAR TOURISM GRANT

Joint Effort Marketing program funds to help promote “The Big Pig Gig” Barbecue Cook-Off

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (April 3, 2008) -- Wisconsin Tourism Deputy Secretary Mark Richardson announced a $30,000 tourism marketing grant to the Menomonee Fall Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center to help promote the second year of their barbecue cook-off, “The Big Pig Gig.” The popular community event will be held Sept. 19-21 and is expected to draw more than $500,000 in traveler spending to the Menomonee Falls area.

Last year’s local debut of the contest promoted by the nationally-known Kansas City Barbecue Society and The Food Network brought more than 60,000 BBQ fans to Menomonee Falls for a family-oriented community weekend event. Local businesses reported a significant surge in travel inquiries prior to the event and close to $500,000 in traveler spending during the event. The Menomonee Falls Chamber and its community partners plan to make “The Big Pig Gig” an annual fall tradition, according to Executive Director Jenny Jennings.

In addition to the delicious barbecue cook-off, this year’s event will include magic shows, Rob Scheers lumberjack exhibitions, a children’s fishing derby, food eating contests, local and national musical talent, a 5K- walk/run and crafts fair.

“It’s one thing to get people to stop for great food, but it’s an added skill to entice travelers to make an event a family weekend of fun,” said Tourism Deputy Secretary Mark Richardson. “You’ve done this and shared the bounty of business traffic all across the community. Now, you’re looking at making this a permanent contribution to your annual economy, which is exactly what the JEM program is designed to help you do.”

The grant is part of the Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) program, designed to help promote new events grow to independence and stability and to help established events improve participation and tourism spending in communities.

The JEM program assists non-profit tourism organizations by providing funds to help advertise events, sales promotions and destination marketing projects. So far in fiscal 2008, the program has awarded $939,312 to 40 projects. The projected economic impact of these 40 projects totals $13,848,311. 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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