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Sec. Holperin Muses Over Widespread Development and Growth in the State

Jim has been on the road recently participating in groundbreaking ceremonies and visiting a variety of large properties under construction. In his latest issue of Now You Know, he takes a step back to give an overall perspective on these new developments. Here is an excerpt from his Nov. 2 Now You Know:

Here are just a few examples of several major renovation/construction projects now going on around the state:

• Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina. (New) Adams County. $170 million. 309 condo 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) Delavan. $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.

This list certainly confirms that investors are bullish on Wisconsin tourism, and they validate the desirability 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 dominant 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.

Genyne Edwards Missed by Department and Tourism Industry 

Many in Wisconsin's tourism industry have heard the news that Genyne Edwards left her position as Deputy Secretary in October to pursue other career opportunities. She is returning to her hometown of Milwaukee where we expect to see her name connected with various arts, cultural and/or tourism projects in the future.

"Genyne's marketing talent, administrative competence, interpersonal skills and sense of humor helped the Department to be a better, more professional asset to the tourism industry and we hope you will join us in thanking Genyne for her exemplary service to our state and wishing her well with new tourism-related challenges," Sec. Holperin said.

In her nearly three years with the Department, Genyne initiated several outreach programs to improve communication between the department and industry partners statewide, and has been an advocate for an increased role for cultural and urban tourism in statewide marketing and promotional materials.

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