Literature and Video Distribution
The Wisconsin Welcome Centers are visited by over 1.2 million travelers a year and offer many opportunities to our industry partners to promote events, attractions and destinations. Each WWC carries information for the entire state but also reflects the influence of its particular region. The WWCs carry more than 800 pieces of information available to the public as well as reference materials and listings for most of the services available in the state. Statewide publications include seasonal event guides, seasonal recreation guides, special sports guides and history guides. The WWCs also carry regional guides, county and local information.
Literature Approval Program
PROCEDURE: In seeking approval for placement of literature at any Wisconsin Travel Information Center (WWC):
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Send 20 samples to Department of Tourism; Director: Office of Customer and Technology Services; PO Box 8690; Madison, WI 53708-8690.
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Include your name, address and telephone number along with the total number of pieces available for distribution (minimum is 1,500).
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The Department of Tourism will review your submission. Upon approval, a copy of your brochure will be sent to each WWC manager. Managers will order directly from you or your supplier. Managers may order just once in the spring, but may order more during the peak travel season depending on their location, storage capacity and traffic. The supplier must ship only the amount requested due to space and/or storage restrictions.
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Each center manager will use their discretion to order those brochures best suited for their customers. Some brochures ordered by the WWC’s may not be displayed at all times due to space limitations.
CRITERIA: All literature distributed through the Department of Tourism must first obtain approval. Literature must meet the following criteria:
1. All literature must be clearly tourism related and consistent with the Department’s marketing program. Literature must contain useful information such as specific listings of accommodations, events, attractions, area services, recreational opportunities and ideally, an area map.
2. All literature must promote Wisconsin attractions, events or destinations. Literature that promotes Wisconsin jointly with other states must demonstrate a balance of content about Wisconsin equal or greater than any other individual state.
3. Literature must promote a tourist attraction (natural, manmade, historical or educational), an unusual or noteworthy geological feature, architectural structure or an event of statewide or national interest.
4. Literature promoting several attractions, events or destinations must devote at least 75% of its space to the above-mentioned categories (see number 3).
5. Literature marketing a saleable publication or product by a private individual or business will not be displayed. However, the information can be kept on file and be made available upon request by the consumer.
6. Literature must be sized (trimmed or folded) to fit tourism display racks. Brochures may range from a minimum size of 3 ½” x 7” to a maximum size of 8 ½” x 11”.
7. Literature must be printed in a vertical format with the title appearing in the upper 1/3 of the piece.
8. Literature must reflect commonly accepted standards of quality reproduction.
9. Literature must be printed on stock of sufficient weight to prevent drooping in the display racks. For single panel pieces, a minimum of 100 lb. offset or equivalent.
10. Literature must be available in a minimum quantity of 1,500 pieces furnished without charge to the Department of Tourism. The supplier must also pay for separate shipments to all WWC locations as requested.
11. Individual coupons or coupon books must meet the same criteria as approved literature. An individual coupon or coupon book must have a related brochure already approved for distribution in the WWC’s. Any type of coupon approved for distribution in the WWC’s will be approved for a limited period of time and must be re-submitted annually or when a newer version is produced. Although not required, the Department would prefer that coupons be included, inserted or attached to the related brochure.
12. Several types of brochures will not be approved for distribution; they include:
- Boxes of packaged literature intended for a WWC weighing more than 35 pounds. If a box exceeds 35 pounds, the shipment will be refused and returned to the supplier at no cost to the Department.
- Individual brochures from dining and lodging establishments and/or retail businesses. (This does not refer to regional tourism related or statewide tourism related association directories.)
- Literature soliciting memberships, subscriptions or donations.
DISCLAIMER
The Department of Tourism reserves the right to refuse any brochure that may be offensive or inappropriate for the traveling public or WWC visitors. We also reserve the right to change the status of previously accepted brochures or coupons. Those pieces not approved may be re-submitted after revision or on an annual basis. This Literature Approval Program is reviewed periodically and the Department reserves the right to change, update or alter the criteria as necessary.
Video Approval Program
PROCEDURE:
Any video you wish to have shown at a Department of Tourism Travel Information Center must first obtain approval from the Office of Customer and Technology Services. In seeking approval for the showing of videos at any Wisconsin Travel Information Center (WWC):
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Send 1 copy sample to the Department of Tourism; Director: Office of Customer and Technology Services; PO Box 8690; Madison, WI 53708-8690.
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Include your name, address, and telephone number along with the total number of videos available for distribution (minimum is 10).
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The Department of Tourism will review your submission. Upon approval, WWC managers will be notified of the availability of a video for your area or event. Managers will then order directly from you or your supplier.
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Videos must be available without charge to the Department of Tourism. The supplier must also pay for separate shipments to all WWC locations as requested.
CRITERIA:
Approval will be determined by the following criteria:
1. All videos must clearly be tourism related and consistent with the Department's marketing program.
2. All videos must promote Wisconsin destinations, attractions, or events. Videos that promote Wisconsin jointly with other states must demonstrate a balance of content about Wisconsin equal to or greater than any other individual state.
3. Videos must promote a tourist attraction (natural, manmade, historical or educational), an unusual or noteworthy geological feature, architectural structure or an event of statewide or national interest.
4. Videos promoting several attractions, destinations or events must devote at least 75 percent of their time to the above-mentioned categories (see #3).
5. Videos must be recorded on a looped half-inch VHS cassette tape with a total running time of at least one hour, and be marked with title and running time of a single showing.
6. Videos must reflect commonly accepted standards of quality reproduction.
7. Marketing suggestions for videos produced solely for showing in the Wisconsin Welcome Centers: the Department of Tourism recommends high quality, short productions that highlight the best events or activities your area has to offer. It is also recommended that the video regularly display an on-screen caption with your name and/or events.
8. Several types of videos will not be approved for distribution. They include:
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Videos from individual dining and lodging establishments and/or retail businesses. (This does not refer to regional or statewide tourism related associations, groups or communities.)
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Videos soliciting membership, subscriptions or donations.
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Videos marketing a saleable publication or product by a private individual or business.
9. Advertising in videos cannot be sold with any stated or implied guarantee that the video will be made available for viewing at the WWCs. There can be no reference in the video to display or distribution by the WWCs.
DISCLAIMER:
The Department of Tourism reserves the right to refuse any videotape that may be offensive or inappropriate for the traveling public or WWC visitors. Videos may be shown at travel centers, sport shows, and other Department-related events. Status of previously accepted videotapes may be changed and those tapes not approved may be re-submitted after revision or on an annual basis. This Video Approval Program is reviewed periodically and the Department reserves the right to change, update or alter the criteria as necessary.
