An occasional e-newsletter from the Governor's Council on Tourism and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
February 26, 2004
In this Issue:
- Wisconsin Tourism Fulfillment…(Almost) Faster Than a Speeding Bullet!
- Diversity…With a Capital "D"
- 511 Coming To Wisconsin…Eventually…Maybe.
- White Lace Inn Cops Top 10 Honors
- Have You Heard?
- NASCAR Dads Not Forgotten in Spring/Summer Guide
- Upcoming Department Meetings
Wisconsin Tourism Fulfillment…(Almost) Faster Than a Speeding Bullet!
Occasionally, the Department of Tourism tests the speed with which
publications ordered from our website and toll free line reach the
customer. We also do test orders from other states for comparison.
Recently, we are pleased to report, publications ordered from the travelwisconsin.com web site arrived by mail in 3 days…beating Nevada and Utah at 5 days and Wyoming at 6 days.
A Wisconsin travel packet ordered by phone arrived in 4 days…a tie with Iowa and Georgia…but no match for Minnesota which had their material at our doorstep in just 1 day via a "Speedy Delivery" truck. Idaho's packet was received in just 2 days.
Wisconsin was the only state to have both packets delivered within a week. Some states' packets take a month or longer, which means their travel information arrives just in time for folks to open it after they get back from vacation.
Diversity…With a Capital "D"
…and that rhymes with "T"…and that stands for "tremendous" which is the best way to describe a brand new page on the Department's website devoted solely to multi-cultural attractions, events and facilities.
A new icon at the bottom right of the home page at travelwisconsin.com
invites everyone to "Check Out Multi-Cultural Wisconsin", and
those who do will find hundreds of opportunities to discover Wisconsin's
ethnic and cultural diversity in communities throughout the state.
Whether a traveler's interests lie in events and festivals, dining and nightlife, recreation and relaxation or arts and culture, this new multi-cultural page offers plenty of suggestions in each category.
However, comprehensive as it is, we may have forgotten something. If your community sponsors an ethnic event, offers a multi-cultural attraction or is home to a restaurant or other business we may have overlooked please call John Cronin at 608-261-8211.
511 Coming To Wisconsin…Eventually…Maybe.
First there was 911 for emergency calls, then 411 for directory
assistance, now 511 is being tested across the nation as the number to
call for up-to-date travel information.
Some states (like parts of Minnesota and Iowa) already have the service available and other states have until July, 2005 to determine the value of the service before the Federal Communications Commission decides whether to make 511 permanent and nationwide.
Using 511, a caller can receive up-to-date information on weather and road conditions, as well as road closures, construction zones and travel times. They can use the service to find out arrival and departure times for airplanes, ferries, trains, busses and the like. They can call to report traffic incidents or get the latest info for parking at large events.
Sounds like just the thing to us. But, of course, implementation will be costly and so we'll see whether this highly automated service is one that states feel they just can't live without in these times of declining fiscal resources.
White Lace Inn Cops Top 10 Honors
American Historic Inns, Inc. has named the White Lace Inn in Sturgeon
Bay to its list of Top 10 Romantic Inns for 2004.
Dennis and Bonnie Statz's destination joins select B & Bs from across the nation which met the organization's criteria for romanticism including "a romantic setting, luxurious décor, premier hospitality and overall romantic mystique."
Congratulations to the Statzs!…and be reminded that the Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association's slick new 2004 Directory is available now at 800-432-8747 or on line at travelwisconsin.com.
Ron
Vincent has been named President of the Wisconsin Sports Development
Corporation. Vincent is a former UW hockey standout with a degree in
Communication Arts. He succeeds Paul Costanzo who left WSDC to start his
own software development company. The nonprofit WSDC was formed in 1999 to
promote and host sports events in Wisconsin. The WSDC owns the Badger
State Games, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and hosts the Ironman
Wisconsin Triathlon and ESPN's Great Outdoor Games. Kathy Polich has left
the Cassville Chamber of Commerce for a position as Tourism Coordinator
for the Platteville Chamber. Kathy and husband Lou also own and operate
the Geiger House Bed and Breakfast in Cassville. Mary Ellen Ruesch, whose
pleasant voice served customers by phone at the Department of Tourism's
Madison call center, is retiring this month after five years with the
Department. Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Crystal Lake Johnson has left that job for a sales position with New Radio
Group in Rhinelander. Amy Kommer is the new Special Events Director at
Positively Pewaukee which works to strengthen the downtown as part of the
Wisconsin Main Street Program. Amy was previously with the United Way in
Waukesha County. Kim Heinemann is the new President of the Hudson Area
Chamber of Commerce. Kim was formerly manager of advertising and marketing
at Nor-Lake Company.
NASCAR Dads Not Forgotten in Spring/Summer Guide
There it is, on page 19 of the Department's Spring/Summer Event and
Recreation Guide, sandwiched in between farm vacations, horseback riding,
lighthouse tours and hot air balloon rides…the first comprehensive 
list
of Wisconsin's 29 stock car tracks.
We like to present travelers to and within our state with an eclectic list of recreation choices for their consideration. Diversity is the key. Consequently, some events and attractions that might not ordinarily come under the "tourism" banner frequently make it into our listings.
If we're neglecting some sport, entertainment, hobby, recreation or vacation trend that travelers should know about…let us know so we can consider including a listing in our next Guide.
Upcoming Department Meetings
*March 14. Governor's Council on Tourism. 1:00 p.m. K I Center. Green Bay.
*March 14 - 16. Governor's Conference on Tourism. K I Center. Green Bay.
*April 21. Marketing Committee. 10:00a.m. Tourism Office. Madison.
*April 22. Joint Effort Marketing Committee. Time TBA. Tourism Office. Madison.
