Governor Inks Bills, Tourism Industry Wins

The travel industry enjoyed a very successful legislative session as virtually every piece of tourism-related legislation was approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Doyle.

Here's a list of just some of the measures that became law in Wisconsin during the 2005 – ‘06 session not including the Governor's budget which increased the tourism marketing budget by 21%…the first increase in six years.

*Wisconsin Act 135 which specifies in more detail that local room tax revenue must be utilized for tourism marketing and promotion.

*Act 483 which authorizes tax credits for film and video production done in the state.

*Act 260 which authorizes a "Golf Wisconsin" license plate with one quarter of the revenue derived from plate sales going to the Department of Tourism for golf promotion.

*Act 136 which authorizes tourism attractions to be included on blue directional signs on state and federal highways.

*Act 440 which expands the list of premier resort areas to include two Door County communities.

*Act 298 which provides an exemption from personal property taxes for recreational mobile homes.

*Acts 209 and 210 which impose an 88 decibel noise level and 55mph nighttime speed limit on snowmobiles.

*Act 81 which prohibits localities from failing to adequately compensate sign owners when signs are declared nonconforming and removal is required.

*Act 465 which permits sign owners to obtain a permit to remove vegetation which obstructs roadway views of the sign.

If you've got questions about any of these measures, please contact Kim Chase (608) – 261-8764 or kachase@travelwisconsin.com for more information.

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Thousands of Visitor Guides Distributed in Only A Few Hours!

How'd you like to make that report to your Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Council Board of Directors? It's entirely possible when you volunteer to staff the Department of Tourism booth at the Wisconsin State Fair.

The fair dates this year are August 3rd through the 13th. Sign up for a day or days convenient to you, then bring along your visitor guides and other publications and hand them out till you drop (along with our Tourism publications, of course).

Those of you who have staffed State Fair in the past know what to expect…and we'd love to have you back this summer.

For newbies, our Tourism booth is located in the center of the Wisconsin Products Pavilion. You will never see so many people in your whole life. Our display is open from 9a.m. till 10p.m. daily.

As with all trade shows, the Department has paid all space fees and booth expenses. You will be responsible only for your admission ticket to the fair, parking, meals and any other personal expenses you might have while at the fair.

Opportunity is knocking. Open the door by calling David Spiegelberg at 262-279-6856 for more details.

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Crisis Management and Communication…Can We Help?

In today's world, lots can go wrong. When it does, it could have a direct and perhaps devastating impact on the tourism industry. The Governor's Council on Tourism has been discussing how well prepared the Wisconsin travel industry is to cope with and communicate about various possible disasters…from a terrorist attack or avian flu to a more probable case of water contamination or wind storm.

The Council has directed the Department to develop a crisis communication plan, which we're doing. The first step will likely be to perform a vulnerabililty study in order to determine what "could" go wrong and what it might be most realistic to prepare for. Then, a plan will be developed, followed by training sessions for industry partners.

For the vulnerability study phase, we'll need perhaps a dozen volunteers to participate in interviews or a round table discussion of what worries you, and what your experience tells you the tourism industry in your area should be preparing for. If you'd like to participate in the study phase, contact Jerry Huffman at 608-261-8195 or jhuffman@travelwisconsin.com.

We'd also like some feedback on the need for training sessions on this topic, once a crisis communication plan is developed. Would you attend? Would you pay to attend? Do you think such sessions might be helpful, or do you have other sources of crisis management training? Again, contact Jerry.

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Tourism Attraction Signs Getting Closer

As noted above, Governor Doyle recently signed legislation authorizing those blue directional signs for tourism attractions and now the Department of Transportation is drafting administrative rules to govern the program.

Applications for signs will not be accepted until the rules are finalized, and the rules are expected to be pretty similar to those governing signs for gas, food and lodging. Yet, there will likely be some rule language that applies only to attractions and so businesses hoping to get a sign or be added to an existing sign should watch the rule-making process closely.

A public hearing on the proposed rules will likely be held sometime this summer. Contact Kim Chase here at the Department if you'd like to be notified in advance of the hearing date.

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Add To Favorites

Have you visited agency.travelwisconsin.com lately? Ever? Before you click on the link, here are a couple of things you might want to take a look at when you get there.

At the bottom center of the home page under "Other News" you'll find a description of the Ready, Set, Go grant program. This program is a great way for tourism organizations around the state to attract sporting or competitive events to their community. The program is new and is currently thinly subscribed so chances for applicant success are strong.

Also, if you choose the "Programs & Services" icon on the left hand column, and then click on "Wisconsin Welcome Centers" on the Programs and Services page you'll learn how your nearest Welcome Center is working to promote travel to your area. Perhaps think about developing a display for the Welcome Center which can promote your business or organization.

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John Archibald has left his post as General Manager of the Madison Hilton to assume GM duties at the Milwaukee Hilton. Bob Caston, formerly with the Grand Geneva, will succeed John at the Madison Hilton.

Kay Garcia is the new Manager of the Wisconsin Welcome Center at Prairie du Chien.

Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau Marketing Director Steve Shattuck has moved across town for a new job as Director of Sales and Marketing with the Great Wolf Lodge.

Kathleen Seeberg is the new Executive Director at the Walworth County Visitors Bureau. Her Administrative Assistant, Pam Jablonski, is also new to the Bureau.

Mary Motif is the new Marketing Director for the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Heath Hickock. Mary was previously the Chamber's Visitor Center Manager.

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