Keeping Up With The Jones'

The Travel Industry Association's annual survey of state tourism office budgets was released recently, and revealed that investments in tourism promotion in 2003-04 ranged from $1.8 million (Rhode Island) to $56.3 million (Hawaii) annually with 46 of the 50 states reporting.

The average state tourism office budget was about $12 million. However, the budgets of the top ten states alone represent almost 50% of total state tourism spending of $550 million. If you discount the top ten states, tourism budgets range from Rhode Island's $1.8 million to Colorado's $14.1 million and the average is $7.8 million annually.

Wisconsin actually moved up two places (from 14th to 12th) this fiscal year with a Department budget of $12.8 million, so some other states, too, are dealing with reductions in their marketing efforts…a consequence of tight state budgets, one assumes.

Here's a listing of the top 10 tourism promotion budgets, along with a couple of others from the Midwest:

1. Hawaii $56,339,000
2. Illinois $46,155,800
3. Pennsylvania $29,597,000
4. Texas $29,549,698
5. Florida $25,670,974
6. West Virginia $20,809,834
7. Louisiana $16,428,017
8. New Mexico $15,471,700
9. South Carolina $15,335,950
10. Missouri $15,067,743
12. Wisconsin $12,827,200
26. Minnesota $8,096,000
27. Michigan $8,030,500
37. Indiana $5,388,013
44. Iowa $3,537,544

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Leadership, Management, Service, Loyalty…Disney Style

Back in June, we wrote about the Disney Institute's "Keys To Excellence" program and how Madison Area Technical College (MATC) will be the exclusive sponsor of Disney seminars in Wisconsin.

The dates have been changed for the only two seminars scheduled for the state in 2004. The Milwaukee session is now set for Wednesday, September 29 (at the Pfister Hotel) and the Madison program will be held on Thursday, September 30 (at Monona Terrace).

These one day programs are aimed at managers who lead everything from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies and are comprised of four, 1 ½ hour sessions. You can attend one or two or all of the sessions on topics including leadership, management, service and loyalty. The cost is $100 per session or $400 for the full day.

The Tourism Department is a major sponsor of the Disney Keys program and is handling on-line registration for MATC at wigcot.org/Disney.htm.

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Tourism Rules

Some administrative rules, which may have an impact on our industry, are being advanced through the process.

• Department of Transportation/Scenic Byways Program. This rule authorizes Wisconsin to participate in the federal program that designates certain stretches of road (to be nominated by local governments and advanced by the state) as "Scenic Byways". Federal funding is available for "enhancement projects" along a road once it has been designated.

  The feds allow routes to qualify based on one or more categories including scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archeological and natural. Wisconsin's DOT, citing budget and staff limitations, has proposed that byway nominees from the Badger State qualify only if they fit the "scenic" category.

  At a DOT hearing late last month the Tourism Department testified in favor of allowing roads to qualify in more than one category.

  Designation as a scenic byway should increase tourism traffic along the chosen route(s). All states surrounding Wisconsin already participate in the program.

• Department of Natural Resources/Snowmobile Decibel Limit. This rule would establish a maximum noise level for snowmobiles and provide for trail testing and enforcement. Wisconsin would be among the first to have a legally enforceable on-the-trail noise limit and supporters say the rule would keep overly-noisy sleds off the trails, thereby addressing landowner complaints and helping to persuade landowners to continue allowing snowmobiles to cross their property.

  There's some disagreement about the limit, with the DNR proposing 84 decibels and the snowmobile industry backing 88. The Tourism Department has been asked to participate in talks seeking a compromise.

• Department of Natural Resources/Pier-Dock Rules. A new law (2003 Wisconsin Act 118) authorizes the DNR to develop permanent rules regulating the placement of piers in the state's navigable public waters. The rules must balance the protection of fish, wildlife and water quality with the right of property owners to have water access. Currently, DNR policies and temporary rules govern pier placement.

  The proposed permanent rules exempt "traditional" piers from any permit requirement…so docks narrower than six feet and extending out to three feet of water or less and without large decks attached will not be bothered.

  Non-traditional docks, or those in areas with sensitive water quality will need to have a one-time general permit with a 30 day review period to ensure protection of fish habitat or other public interests in the water. New supersized piers on all waters will require more detailed permits.

  Public hearings on the pier rule are planned for early September.
  

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Valeria Davis is the Department of Tourism's new Public Relations Specialist. Val has worked as a reporter for the daily Wisconsin State Journal in Madison and succeeds John Kuehl who is now Technology Marketing Coordinator for the Department.

Joe Chrnelich is leaving his post as CEO for the Wisconsin State Fair. He will become Executive Vice President of Development, Government Affairs and Planning for the Champ Car World Series of auto racing.

Mary Anne Collins - Svoboda and Wayne Nelson have both retired from the Great River Road Promotions Committee. Glenn Brill has left the Fond du Lac Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sara Stone is the new Marketing Director for the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation.

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