SECRETARY TRUMBLE ANNOUNCES “MEETINGS MEAN BUSINESS FOR WISCONSIN” CAMPAIGN

New Tourism Initiative Encourages Businesses to Hold Meetings in Wisconsin

                 MILWAUKEE (March 15, 2010) – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Department of Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble today announced a new tourism campaign called “Meetings Mean Business for Wisconsin,” an initiative that will grow jobs and tax revenue in the state. Unveiled at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Milwaukee, Governor Doyle encouraged CEOs, presidents and decision-makers of companies headquartered in Wisconsin and those with substantial operations here to choose locations in Wisconsin for their company’s conventions, trade shows, training sessions and board meetings.  Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel will also help lead the initiative.

                “Meetings mean business for Wisconsin on many levels, from tax revenue returned to local communities to job stability for the thousands of people employed in the state’s hospitality industry,” Governor Doyle said.  “We offer good value and excellent facilities, and I encourage Wisconsin business leaders to select venues in our great communities to hold their meetings.”

                Tourism Secretary Trumble referenced those numbers in citing the critical nature of this campaign.  “The tourism industry has done yeoman’s work in adding meetings & conventions to the mix as a way to grow and diversify the industry,” said Trumble.  “Our state has long been admired for its innovation, originality and pride and now is the time to build on that legacy by selecting meeting venues in Wisconsin.” 

                Commerce Secretary Leinenkugel, whose family brewing company began in Chippewa Falls, reminded CEOs to think of Wisconsin not just for conventions and conferences, but for smaller gatherings as well.  “We want businesses to think of Wisconsin first when they assemble their creative teams to plan and execute their growth strategies,” Secretary Leinenkugel said. “This initiative can help bring in tourism revenues, grow the economy, and increase jobs locally.”

Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin tourism has grown to a $13 billion per year industry and now supports more than 300,000 jobs. Wisconsin tourism is among the top three industries in the state, with meeting and conventions accounting for 11% of the state’s traveler expenditures.  From 2003 to 2008, meetings & conventions was the fastest growing segment of travel in the state; that was prior to the recession. 

                During his time in office, Governor Doyle has also helped lead the effort to restore Lake Delton following the devastating flooding in 2008, helped make Wisconsin a worldwide golf destination by hosting a spectacular PGA Championship Tournament at Whistling Straits in 2004, created the Northern Wisconsin Economic Development Summit, helped expand broadband access to 186 more Wisconsin communities as a result of the first Summit, and expanded the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund to protect the state’s natural resources for future generations.

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 Media contact:  

Carla Minsky, Communications Specialist, 920.979.3420 or cminsky@charter.net 

Lisa Marshall, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 608.267.3773 or 608-575-0465, lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com