TRAVEL NEWS BRIEFS

Travel Green Wisconsin Certifies First 25 Businesses 

The first businesses to be awarded the Travel Green Wisconsin certification are now posted on TravelGreenWisconsin.com. 

Currently in a pilot phase, the Travel Green Wisconsin initiative is a voluntary program that reviews, certifies, and recognizes tourism businesses that have made a commitment to improve their operations in order to reduce their environmental impact. For more information, contact Will Christianson at  608-267-3686

Hanson Dodge Named Vendor for Web Redesign 

The Department awarded Hanson Dodge Creative contract to redesign and maintain the travelwisconsin.com website. The agency was awarded the contract following a state bidding process that attracted eight applicants. Hanson Dodge is a Milwaukee-based, full-service marketing firm with a history of partnering with "active lifestyle" brands such as Trek Bicycle Corporation. January 2007 is the expected date for the launch of the redesigned website.

Facts About the Wisconsin Tourism Federation 

If you're not familiar with the Wisconsin Tourism Federation (WTF) and the work they do to advance the tourism industry, then read on.

WTF is ten tourism industry organizations working together to protect and advance the legislative interests of Wisconsin's tourism industry to ensure its growth and prosperity. Members include:

• Wisconsin Innkeepers Association (WIA) 
• Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) 
• Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) 
• Association of Wisconsin Tourism Attractions (AWTA) 
• Wisconsin Dells VCB 
• Outdoor Advertising Association of Wisconsin 
• American Automobile Association-Wisconsin 
• Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) 
• Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association 
• Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce

Established in 1979, the WTF meets regularly when the state legislature is in session or when key tourism issues are under consideration. The WTF acts as an umbrella organization to determine and plan collaborative actions needed for some issues. Individual member organizations track issues specific to their industry, bring recommendations for collaboration forward when applicable, implement action, and advise their industry members of important developments as they occur to keep them abreast of what they need to know to operate their businesses and anticipate future developments.

For more information on the WTF and the individual industry associations in membership, visit www.witourismfederation.org.

Golf WI Weekend Wrap-up 

June's "Golf Wisconsin Weekend" received a tremendous amount of media attention. The promotion set a new record when more than 200 Wisconsin golf courses signed up to let kids play for free with a paying adult.

Staff promoted the event with live television appearances in Madison and Milwaukee, interviews on several statewide radio stations and in newspaper advertisements. A variety of newspapers including the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel also mentioned the statewide event.

The Department will also lend a hand for at least two other golf promotions. Rock County will host a special kids "Golf Wisconsin Summer" event in which kids play free all summer when accompanied by a paying adult at Krueger-Haskell Golf Course in Beloit and Riverside Golf Course in Janesville. The kid's golf free offer is good all day Monday through Friday and after 12 pm on weekends and holidays.

The "Golf Wisconsin" license plates will go on sale this fall. For an extra $25 per year, drivers will have the GW logo on their plates and a "Support Junior Golf" message at the bottom. The majority of the funds raised will go to the Wisconsin PGA section to support junior golf programs. The remaining 25% will be returned to the Department for future golf promotions.

What's Happening in the Welcome Centers 

The state's ten Welcome Centers have been rolling out the red carpet with a variety of promotions and events to make the centers a must-stop attraction for visitors and residents.

With the recent launch of the latest edition of the Wisconsin Biking Guide, the centers are currently offering free spoke reflectors and water bottle carabineers. Now through mid-July, each center will host a drawing for a Wisconsin State Fair Fun Pack that includes four admission tickets and complimentary cream puffs. Fairest of the Fair Kimberly Schoessow and Molly Moo Cow are making appearances at several of the centers to promote the State Fair. Looking ahead to fall, a golf promotion in all of the Welcome Centers is in the works.

In addition to the recent bevy of promotions, the centers also welcomed two new managers this spring. Candace Krall has taken over responsibility of the Hurley Welcome Center while Maria Garcia now has the reigns at the center in Prairie du Chien. The Department welcomes them both.

Upcoming Meetings 

• Meetings & Conventions Committee: Friday, July 14 at 2:00 pm. Location TBD.

• Sports Marketing Committee: Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 10:00 am. Tourism Offices.

• Marketing Committee: Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10:00 am. Location in Milwaukee TBD.

• Governor's Council on Tourism Meeting: Thursday, Sept. 21 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Location TBD.

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