Industry Capacity Grows

Groundbreaking ceremonies and visits to properties under construction regularly take us out of the office, and sometimes it’s instructive to take a step back for an overall perspective on all the new development.

Consider how the following projects represent the changing face of tourism in Wisconsin:

• Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina. (New) Adams County. $170 million. 309 condomium units (most available for rent) in 39 buildings. 280 room hotel. 18 hole golf course. 50 slip marina. Indoor water park. 20,000 sq. ft. of convention/banquet space. Spa. Restaurant. Convenience store.
• Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort. (Expansion) Wisconsin Dells. $150 million. 224 condo units. 18 hole golf course. 3.2 acre outdoor water park. Indoor wave pool. Snow tubing hill with snow making capabilities. Skating rink. Banquet center. Restaurant.
• Lake Lawn Resort. (Expansion) Delevan. $390 million. 1,222 condo units (all available for rent). 18 hole golf course. 165 slip marina. 150,000 sq. ft. conference center. 80,000 sq. ft. indoor water park. Spa. Five restaurants.
• AquaPlex Lodge. (New) Plover. $107 million. 350 room hotel. 18 hole golf course. 90,000 sq. ft. indoor water park. 75,000 sq. ft. convention center. Three man-made lakes for waterski and snowmobile events.
• Chula Vista Resort. (Expansion) Wisconsin Dells. 337 condo units (all available for rent). Golf course improvements. Indoor water park. Convention center. Restaurant.
• Three Bears Lodge. (New) Warrens. 200 condo units. 90 hotel rooms. Conference center. Indoor and outdoor water parks. Skatepark. Restaurant.

These are just a few examples of several major renovation/construction projects now going on around the state. These projects certainly confirm that investors are bullish on Wisconsin tourism, and they validate the desireability of this state as a getaway destination. Also, since so many of the projects are based on the condominium model (with the condos sold in advance of construction in most cases), they evidence strong confidence by thousands of individual investors in the value of the Wisconsin travel experience.

It should be somewhat evident that these developments will tend to have a strong, maybe even dominent influence on the travel markets where they are located. Collectively, these developments will also influence to some degree how the Department frames its marketing message to our target audiences.

There can be no mistaking that, taken together, these bold investments telegraph a message of confidence in the future of Wisconsin tourism and will generate significant economic impact for many years to come.

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Doyle, Dow To Headline 20th Anniversary Guv’s Conference

Expect keynote speeches from Governor Jim Doyle and Travel Industry Association (TIA) Executive Director Roger Dow at the 20th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism set for March 12 – 14 at the Ho Chunk Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. Reserve the dates now and watch for registration materials in mid-December.

Dow will surely mention a new two day event that his organization is planning for September, 2006 in Washington D.C. The event will replace the old Unity Dinner format and is designed to present a unified, national voice for the travel and hospitality industry.

The aim of the new “Power of Travel” session will be to raise awareness of the economic, social and cultural impacts of tourism and business travel with the Bush Administration and Congress and, ultimately, to achieve policy and legislative outcomes favorable to the tourism industry.

One key aspect of the new event anticipates a delegation of local tourism representatives from each state meeting with their Congressional representatives. Later this month, at its regular meeting, the Governor’s Council on Tourism will discuss how Wisconsin can participate in the Power of Travel event.

If this event sounds like something worthwhile for you or your organization, you may want to include a September trip to D.C. in your organization’s 2006 budget.

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Opportunity Continues to Knock…But Not Forever

The Department has expanded the list of Travel, Sports, RV, Ski, Bike and Fishing shows we’ll attending this winter and spring, and you’re invited to come along!

Choose from among productive locations like Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis, Cedar Rapids and others. You can hand out your publications and make your pitch to the thousands of travelers who attend these shows.

The Department will pay all show registration and booth rental costs. All we ask of partners (that’s you) is a $100 per day fee along with meals and lodging for any staff you send.

Partner participation is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so inquire soon to ensure your choice of show(s) and date(s). Contact David Spiegelberg here at the Department by calling 262-279-6856 or e-mail dspiegelberg@travelwisconsin.com.

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Marianne Hanson is the new Executive Director of the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Ken Jahn. Marianne has been with the Portage Chamber in other capacities for two years.

Tracy Mandelin is the new Marketing and Promotions Director at the Superior – Douglas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, succeeding Doreen Anderson. Most recently Tracy worked as a staffing supervisor for Manpower in Superior.

New members of the Governor’s Council on Tourism include Tina Danforth, Oneida Tribe Gaming Commissioner, Oneida; Dave Holtze, General Manager of Forest Hills Golf Course in LaCrosse; Joe Klimczak, General Manager of Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds; and Kari Zambon, Owner of Holiday Acres Resort in Rhinelander.

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