Now You Know - Issue 21
July 12, 2005
Travel Green Wisconsin
For over a year now a small but enthusiastic ad hoc committee of state agency and tourism industry-types has been meeting here at the Department with a goal of developing a voluntary environmental certification program which the Wisconsin tourism industry can use to save money and to demonstrate its commitment to energy and resource conservation.
No other state has a program exactly like this, although efforts are underway in Florida, West Virginia and elsewhere.
The old expression "the devil is in the details" applies here and the committee has run into one obstacle after another, generally relating to lack of staff or the difficulty of applying one certification system to such a wide variety of tourism businesses…from golf courses and water parks to motels and museums.
The committee recently decided to move full steam ahead, however, and is contracting with the nonprofit Wisconsin Environmental Initiative in Madison to prepare a draft outline of a certification program, tentatively called "Travel Green Wisconsin".
The program will probably work on a point system, and tourism properties which voluntarily participate can earn certification by demonstrating steps they have taken or will take to reduce energy consumption or water use, reduce or recycle waste, reduce pollution or generally minimize the property's ecological "footprint".
The committee is working with other programs, including Focus on Energy, DNR Waste Management and others to avoid duplication. Two or three communities in the state may be identified as "pilot areas" where the program may be implemented as early as next spring.
Last call for industry partners who might want to help staff the Department of Tourism exhibit at the Wisconsin State Fair. As everyone knows, State Fair is a great opportunity to market your local area while assisting the Department in promoting the entire state.
The Tourism booth is located in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion…a high traffic area where literally thousands of people pass by each hour.
We need up to 4 people to staff the counter each day from 9a.m. to 10p.m. and we have just a few availabilities left. E-mail David Spiegelberg here at the Department to ask about dates and times. The fair runs from August 4th through the 14th this year. During your shift you are free to display and distribute any materials highlighting your community or area of the state.
The Department has already paid for the booth space, so your only expense will be your brochures and/or promotional items, parking and tickets to the fair, and any meals or lodging that might be necessary.
Tourism's communications team is offering a new…and free…service to our industry partners: "PR 101 On the Road".
Staff from our Communications Bureau will come to your community and hold a workshop that gives an overview of public relations strategies and how you can work more effectively with the media.
Workshops can be custom tailored for a variety of audiences and can be scheduled to fit your calendar. Contact Jerry Huffman or call 608-261-8195 to learn more or to schedule your workshop.
Bayfield, Superior Attractions Get GEMmys
Bayfield Heritage Tours and the Superior Accordion Museum have each recently won a GEMmy award from the Midwest Travel Writers Association (MTWA). The MTWA has been awarding GEMmys since 1992 to help focus public attention on "gems" of the travel world…extraordinary attractions, facilities, events, tours and experiences that make travel so enriching and enjoyable.
Bayfield Heritage Tours, run by owner Virginia Hirsch, was especially singled out for its "Ghosts and History" tours of Bayfield. The Superior museum, "A World of Accordions" was recognized for its unique collection of instruments housed in an arts center/concert hall/music conservatory and for its college-level certification program for accordion repair specialists.
The MTWA typically hands out four to six GEMmy awards annually and the two winners so far this year are the first Wisconsin attractions to earn the prize since HH Bennett Studio in Wisconsin Dells was recognized in 2000.
Norma Bishop is the new Executive Director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc. A 21-year Navy veteran and attorney, Bishop arrives from California after serving as Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
After stewarding the new CopperLeaf Hotel to instant success in Appleton, General Manager Cheryl Zaug Casey is taking some time off and will be actively seeking other tourism opportunities. Her successor is Dan Schetter, who comes to the CopperLeaf from the Holiday Inn – Riverwalk in Neenah.
Gerald Rappaport has left his General Manager duties at the Milwaukee Hilton to become GM at the Wyndham Milwaukee Center. Gerry will be succeeded at the Hilton by Jim Marino, who comes to Milwaukee from a hospitality career in Chicago.
Mary Louise Mussoline is the new Senior Director of Development at the Milwaukee Art Museum. She previously worked as a Vice President at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design as well as for a number of prominent Milwaukee-area foundations.
Thursday, August 18. Joint Effort Marketing Committee. 2p.m. Tourism Office. Madison.
Friday, August 26. Meetings and Conventions. Noon – 2p.m. Tourism Office. Madison.
Tuesday, September 20. Sports Marketing. 10a.m. – Noon. Tourism Office. Madison
Thursday, September 22. Governor's Council on Tourism. 10a.m. – 2p.m. Green Bay.