Receive recognition for your tourism marketing and partnership efforts by entering the Wisconsin Tourism Trailblazers Awards. The awards program recognizes the best in Wisconsin Tourism Marketing in two categories:

*OUTSTANDING MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE OR CAMPAIGN

• Budget under $30,000
• Budget $30,000-$50,000
• Budget over $50,000

*OUTSTANDING SPONSORSHIPS/PARTNERSHIPS

Eligibility
Open to all Wisconsin tourism-related businesses and organizations.  Nominations completed by advertising and marketing agencies must be submitted in the name of the client.  All entries must have been executed between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.  No limit on the number of entries per organization.  When applicable, entries should include original support materials.  Entry materials will not be returned.

Judging Criteria
The WI Assoc. of CVBs Education Team will judge entries based on whether they meets the projects’ stated goals and objectives as well as exhibit creativity, quality and effectiveness.   Form must be complete for the nomination to be considered. 

Winning Examples

Marketing & Communication Campaigns

• The Oneida County Tourism Commission received the Trailblazer Award for the 2010 Artists Interactive campaign. More than 57 Northwoods artists participated in the 2010 program and it generated an estimated economic impact of over $209,000.
• Green County Tourism and New Glarus Chamber of commerce for the Bounty of Green County promoting cuisine-based tourism experiences in the region.
• Door County Vistior Bureau's Festival of Blossoms Marketing Campaign utilizing an extensive cooperative email list from lodging properties and the bureau Fox Cities CVB for the Geocache at the Fox Cities Visitor Center project – A unique and cost-effective marketing effort to drive traffic to the Visitor Center.
• Destination Kohler for the Food & Wine Experience – An event to increase lodging and shopping at Destination Kohler during late fall.
• Door County Maritime Museum for the Pirates! Exhibit – A marketing effort to promote a new exhibit and draw record attendance to the museum.
• Visit Milwaukee for leading a community effort to create a bronze sculpture of Fonzie, the iconic character from the popular TV show Happy Days.  The organization raised $85,000 for the downtown Milwaukee tourism attraction and created public relations efforts that generated $9.5 million in media coverage.

• The Fox Cities CVB and more than a dozen area municipalities received the Trailblazer Award in the outstanding partnership category for the Fox Cities Wayfinding Signage program.
• Fox Cities & Greater Green Bay CVBs' successful joint bid for the 2011 USYSA Midwest Regional Championship.
• Explore Highway 51 Consortium of 15 destination marketing organizations to increase awareness and attract new travelers to communities along Highway 51.
• Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Burea for creating a cooperative marketing position shared by the CVB and area tourism attractions in an effort to leverage financial and creative resources. 

Please complete the Entry Form below and submit by Wednesday, October 5. Additional documentation and materials can be sent  to jhertel@escapetowisconsin.com or to WACVB, 2480 Monaghan Way, PO Box 393, Sun Prairie, WI  53590.  Winners will be announced at the Wisconsin Fall Tourism Convention.

If you prefer, you may also download and complete the following application in Word:  2011_trailblazer_entry_form.doc

WISCONSIN TOURISM TRAILBLAZER AWARDS ENTRY FORM