For more information contact:

Valeria Davis, 608/266-2147

E-mail: vdavis@travelwisconsin.com 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOURISM AWARDS $101,572 IN JOINT EFFORT MARKETING GRANTS 

Grants will assist local agencies in promoting destination travel

MADISON, Wis. (April 23, 2008) – Six non-profit organizations have been awarded $101,572 in Wisconsin Department of Tourism Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grants to promote travel spending at destinations across the state.

“I’m so impressed by the originality of our industry in developing programs to promote such diverse regional interests as culinary travel, outdoor recreation, scenic byways and waterways, and heritage tourism,” said Tourism Secretary Kelli A. Trumble. “With each list of recipients, we’re reminded that Wisconsin is a marvelous state in which to vacation, live and work. Governor Doyle supports the Joint Effort Marketing program because of the strong return on investment that it brings to the Wisconsin Tourism Industry.”

The events and recipients awarded JEM grants include:

• Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau, $25,515 toward a July 1 through an Oct. 31 statewide promotion for exploring the historic Highway 51; 

• Walworth County Visitors Bureau, $21,245 to promote the county’s country character for a second year from Sept. 13 through Oct. 26; 

• Wisconsin Great River Road Commission, $28,650 to promote traveler exploration of the 33 communities on the National Scenic Mississippi Great River Road from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30; 

• Green County Tourism, $9,762 to promote biking in Green County May 1 through Oct. 31; 

• Pierce County Partners in Tourism, $8,000 to promote “Autumn Bounty,” a celebration of food, produce and community harvest from Sept. 1 through Nov. 9; 

• Northern Wisconsin Heritage Connection, $8,400 to promote the Northern Wisconsin Heritage Tourism map as a traveler guide from July 1 through Nov. 1.

JEM grants are awarded on a competitive basis and applicants may receive up to $40,000. Non-profit organizations must match the award with self-funding and in-kind service donations by organizations and event sponsors. This partnership enables the local community to launch a new event, boost attendance at an existing event, or design a sales promotion with incentives to encourage traveler spending.

The JEM program provides funds for destination marketing projects, sales promotions, and new, existing and one-time, one-of-a-kind events. The JEM program can fund up to 75 percent of a project’s first year advertising and marketing costs. The program may also provide second and third year support for some projects with decreasing amounts each year until the projects become self-sustaining. So far in fiscal 2008, the program Joint Effort Marketing has awarded $1,040,884 to 46 projects.

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