Secretary Klett and Deputy Secretary Fantle have invited me to include a few comments from the perspective of the Governor’s Council, representing the industry, to be included in the Wisconsin Business Journal each month. I appreciate the opportunity, as it is just another way for us to communicate all things Tourism to our Tourism Industry Partners. There has been a lot of forward movement for Wisconsin Tourism since our last Governor’s Council meeting.
Since that time:
- The Summer Campaign, Picture the Fun, has been launched
- The next Biennium Budget, awarding the Department of Tourism additional funding to market our collective product, has been signed into law
- The Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center has been reopened, serving more than 5,000 visitors in its first week
- The June Wisconsin Jobs Report came out with Tourism contributing two-thirds (6,200) of the new jobs that month
- The Council’s Marketing Committee met with Laughlin-Constable and Department folks to review the 2011 Summer Campaign, as well as the proposed concepts for the 2011 Fall Campaign and for the 2012 Summer Campaign
Thank you to Governor Walker, Secretary Klett, Deputy Secretary Fantle and the Department staff for their support and understanding of this industry and its contribution to Wisconsin’s economy and job growth. We appreciate it all!
The role of the Governor’s Council is to serve in an advisory capacity, as well as to support the work of the Department of Tourism, our state’s branding and marketing engine. To best use the talent and resources of Council members and to best provide that support, the Council has developed several committees that partner with members of Department staff to achieve the best results. These committees include: Marketing, Meetings and Conventions, Sports Marketing, Tourism Funding, and Communications. As we move forward with these committees and their goals, we will keep you posted on the results.
As Council members, we represent the interests and perspective of the Tourism industry. You are welcome to communicate your thoughts and comments to any one of the members of the Governor’s Council on Tourism. We are all appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor and take our roles and responsibilities seriously. It is truly an honor to represent you and the interests of our industry.
Wishing you a great season,
Lola Roeh,Governor’s Council Chair