The 2010 Governor’s Conference on Tourism is just over four weeks away and the early-bird deadline is upon us! So check your schedule and join us at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, March 14-16. Register on or before Friday, February 5 and take advantage of the low early-bird rate of $185.00. As an added incentive for online registration, we are offering a complimentary 3-nite lodging package at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center for every 100th online registrant. Click here to register online along with some helpful conference information. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you in March!
Deadlines that are fast approaching:
Early-bird Registration – Deadline is Friday, 02/05/10 – registrations must be postmarked or submitted online by 02/05/10.
Governor’s Tourism Awards – Deadline for submissions is Friday, 02/02/10.
Sponsorships & Partnerships – All sponsor materials are due by Wednesday, 02/12/10.
WIGCOT Advertising – All ads must be in our office by Wednesday, 2/12/10.
Information Marketplace & Taste of Wisconsin – An extended registration deadline is Friday, 2/12/10.
Governor’s Tourism Awards
New this year are four awards recognizing tourism individuals and businesses for achievements in leadership, innovation, stewardship, and economic development through service excellence. Sponsored by the Governor’s Council on Tourism, the Governor's Awards will be presented at the Governor's Dinner on Tuesday evening. The deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 5; an online submission form is available here.
Opening Night
It's Big, Bright and Bold - an evening of celebration as we commemorate the start of a new decade and look forward to a successful year. Our energy will be high as we open this year's conference with a blow-out party at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino. Join us Sunday evening for some fabulous food, great friends and world-class entertainment.
Programming
Featured keynote speakers on March 15 include futurist David Zach as he presents “An Owner’s Guide to the Future” and looks specifically at Wisconsin tourism. Also, Dr. Suzanne Cook, senior vice president of research for the U.S. Travel Association in Washington, D.C., will discuss the Travel Economic Impact Model. This is the only national model that provides consistent and comparable estimates of the economic impact at the local, state and national level of both domestic and international travel.
On March 16, Dan Burrus, best-selling author of “Technotrends,” will discuss opportunity management and how to leverage the driving forces of change to grow your business instead of letting change lead to crisis management. Dave Mitchell rounds out the keynote speakers as he addresses the psychology of the marketplace, how and why consumers decide to buy and the impact these concepts have on our sales, customer service and leadership strategies.
Other conference programming includes three executive leadership tracks, a new breakout session offering peer to peer networking and education, and practical workshops covering the latest in mobile and new media applications.
Information Marketplace/Taste of Wisconsin
Booth space is going fast – so don’t hesitate! This event happens Monday afternoon, March 15th from 3:30pm to 6:00pm and is an excellent way for you to showcase your organization. We’re still taking registrations for the Information Marketplace. If you have not already sent us your application, you may registration online at www.wigcot.org.
Sponsorships and Partnerships
We want to thank the following sponsors that have already committed to the 2010 conference.
Ho-Chunk Nation
Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Midwest Living Magazine
Potawatomi Bingo Casino
WI Tourism Federation
WIGCOT Lodging
If you have not already made your lodging arrangements for the 2010 Governor’s Conference on Tourism, rooms are still available at the following hotels:
Hilton Milwaukee City Center (Host Hotel)
$115.00 single/double
Call 414/271-7250 for In-house reservations
or click here for online reservations.
Overnight guests at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center will receive a
50% discount on overnight parking, a savings of $12/day.
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
$109.00 single/double
414/276-1234
DoubleTree Hotel – Milwaukee City Center
$109.00 single/double
Free parking
Call 414/273-2950 or click here for online reservations.
Ramada City Center
$99.00 single/double
414/272-8410
Please be sure to mention that you are coming in for the 2010 Governor’s Conference on Tourism to receive the special conference rate. Lodging rates do not include taxes.
For a listing of other accommodations available in the Greater Milwaukee Area, please call Visit Milwaukee at 800/554-1448 or visitmilwaukee.org.
If you have any questions on the conference or any information provided in this e-mail, please contact Dawn Zanoni via e-mail at dzanoni@travelwisconsin.com or by phone at 608/266-3978.
For further conference info, log on to www.wigcot.org.