WACVB APPLAUDS STATE BUDGET ACTION ON TOURISM FUNDING
WACVB is pleased that Governor Jim Doyle and the State Legislature continue to recognize the value of tourism promotion by maintaining the Department of Tourism's $15 million annual budget in the recently passed state budget. WACVB is also pleased that the budget did not include a 650% car rental tax increase in Southeast Wisconsin and that Gov. Doyle vetoed the three-tier liquor distribution proposal which would have had a negative impact on Wisconsin wineries. The association also supports approval of the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin agricultural grant program.

Other Capitol News
WACVB continues to monitor other tourism-related bills during the 2007-08 Legislative session. WACVB supports AB 465/SB 279which allows attractions within 30 miles of designated highways to have the opportunity to apply for placement on specific information signs. The current limit is five miles.

WACVB NAMES 2007 WI TOURISM TRAILBLAZERS
WACVB has awarded the 2007 Wisconsin Tourism Trailblazer award to Discover Wisconsin Productions owners Dick (posthumously) and Mark Rose for their role in promoting and advancing Wisconsin’s tourism industry. Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble joined WACVB in presenting the award to Mark Rose during WACVB’s recent Wisconsin Fall Tourism Convention in La Crosse.

Awards were also presented to five organizations for outstanding marketing and partnership projects: Fox Cities CVB for the Geocache at the Fox Cities Visitor Center project; Destination Kohler for the Food & Wine Experience; Door County Maritime Museum for the Pirates! Exhibit; and Explore Highway 51 Marketing Consortium for Outstanding Partnership Initiative.

WACVB presents the Wisconsin Tourism Trailblazers awards each year in an effort to increase the visibility of Wisconsin’s tourism industry and destination marketing organizations.

DID YOU KNOW...
In 2006, travelers spent $3 billion during Wisconsin's fall season, a 6% increase over 2005.

WACVB GOES TO WASHINGTON
WACVB Executive Director Julia Hertel and Chippewa Valley CVB Director Linda Adler joined Dept. of Tourism Secretary Trumble and other Wisconsin tourism leaders in September for the Travel Industry Association Leadership Summit.

The group lobbied the Wisconsin congressional delegation on several international travel and tourism issues, including the 2007 Travel Promotion Act which would create a national tourism promotion campaign.

WACVB represents Wisconsin's top destination marketing organizations that collaboratively drive tourism economic development growth in Wisconsin.