TRAVEL NEWS BRIEFS

Slight Delay for Travelwisconsin.com Launch 

In order to adequately test the new site and provide sufficient time for Extranet partners to get acquainted with the new system, the launch for the redesigned travelwisconsin.com has been delayed. Extranet partners can expect to see the new content management program released in mid-January and consumers can experience the new site online by end of the month. In the meantime, any Extranet or website questions should go to Linda Anderson or John Kuehl.

View the Department's Full Winter Campaign Online 

The Department's winter ad campaign is already in full swing for the season. The television spots are available online in Quick Time and Windows Media Player to watch in their entirety. Newspaper and magazine print advertising are also available to view and download. The winter campaign incorporates flexibility in order to adjust advertising messages depending on snow conditions in the state. A campaign summary is also available online that details strategies, media placements, public relations tactics and online initiatives.

New Regions for Tourism Development Specialists 

The Tourism Development Specialists regions have recently been re-mapped for improved efficiency. Kit Sorenson has added Marathon, Wood and Portage counties to his region. Will Christianson takes on responsibility for La Crosse and the Great River Road partnerships. Finally, Sarah Pischer will add Florence, Forest and Langlade counties to her roster. See the new map online. 

"Where in Wisconsin" Featuring New Assortment of Cities This Spring 

The Where in Wisconsin is Jessica? online game is in need of kid-friendly prizes from the following destinations on tap for the spring semester: Beloit, Boscobel, Dickeyville, Fort Atkinson, Lake Geneva, Lac du Flambeau, Mosinee, Prescott, Ripon, River Falls, Sun Prairie, West Bend, Washburn, Wauwatosa, and Wisconsin Dells. Prizes range from attraction passes for the student and their family to a basket of kid-friendly gifts from the area. If you have something to donate and enough for two winners, please contact Valeria Davis at 608-266-2147.

Chicago Media Marketplace Shows Off Wisconsin's Best 

The November Chicago media event was a resounding success with 41 journalists in attendance including representatives from the Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown, Chicago Sun Times, The Daily Herald and Journal & Topics newspapers; Time Out Chicago, North Shore, Ebony and Golf Chicago magazines; and, WFLD-TV Fox 32 and Univision radio. Several stories have already been secured as a result of the event. Based on the success of the event, future media marketplaces in L.A. or Minneapolis are being considered.

New Format for the Seasonal Event & Recreation Guides in the Works 

The seasonal event and recreation guides are undergoing a makeover scheduled to debut sometime in 2008. One guide featuring the state's four seasons of activities and recreational opportunities will be published every other year. An "events" guide will be printed twice yearly. Separating the events into a stand-alone guide provides more opportunities to highlight special festivals, events and anniversaries through the use of sidebars and editorial features. Any questions about the state's tourism publications can be directed to Jim Bach at 608-266-1238.

Two Media Kits Scheduled for Updates

The Communications team has begun work on two media kits that will be distributed electronically to media outlets later this spring.  The first is the 2007 Spring/Summer media kit, which will feature releases on religious pilgrimages, geological formations, gangster history, and top chefs/cooking schools.  An update of the Meetings & Conventions media kit is also on tap and will feature releases on green meetings, golf, mixing work and pleasure and alternative meetings sites. If you have something that fits into one of these categories that you would like to be considered, please email Lisa Marshall with some brief information.  

Upcoming Meetings 

Governor's Council on Tourism: Wednesday, January 17 from 10am - 2pm. Department of Financial Institutions, 345 W. Washington Ave., 5th Floor Conference Room.

Marketing Committee Meeting: Wednesday, January 17 from 12:30pm - 3pm. Department of Financial Institutions, 345 W. Washington Ave., 5th Floor Conference Room. 

Sports Marketing Committee Meeting: Wednesday, January 17 from 1pm - 3pm. Tourism Offices..

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