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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOURISM SECRETARY ANNOUNCES $40,000 GRANT TO PROMOTE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING TRAVEL IN THE KENOSHA AREA

Joint Effort Marketing program provides funds to promote Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, Bristol and Wheatland as travel destinations

KENOSHA, Wis. (Dec. 1, 2005) -- Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin today announced a $40,000 grant to the Kenosha Area Tourism Corporation to help fund a new destination marketing initiative entitled "The Greater Kenosha Area: One Great Lake, Countless Great Times." The marketing campaign plans to bring more winter and early spring travelers to the city of Kenosha, the village of Pleasant Prairie, and the towns of Bristol and Wheatland. The promotion will run from Jan.1 to April 30, 2006.

The grant is part of the Department of Tourism's Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) program and is expected to boost the Kenosha area economy by more than $272,360. The JEM program recently awarded $335,225 across Wisconsin in September for 13 projects that are expected to bring more than $3.6 million in traveler spending to the state's economy.

The Kenosha area has decided to distinguish itself as a day-trip and multiple-day escape during the mid-winter and early spring season with its growing range of cultural, historical and nature-inspired recreational activities, said Holperin. The Kenosha area has developed offerings such as one-of-a-kind museum exhibits, shows by community and college theater groups and concerts, including the Kenosha Symphony, he said.

"The Kenosha area has four nationally-recognized historic districts, including two lighthouses and the Durkee Mansion," Holperin said. "These are key attractions for a lakeshore community along with a new host of downtown and harborside cafes, bistros and trendy lounges. Also, the area's outdoor recreation options for skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating in the Richard Bong State Recreation area, Wilmot Mountain and outstanding county parks system, will get more marketing exposure."

JEM grant funding will help Kenosha highlight a different travel season - late winter and spring - than it has in the past, Holperin said, and will reach out to a changing leisure traveler market in new ways. As a popular drive-to destination that has undergone a recent renaissance, the Kenosha area plans to expand its role as a destination for residents in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

The JEM program assists nonprofit tourism organizations by providing funds to help advertise events, sales promotions and destination marketing projects. In the 2006 fiscal year, which began July 1, 2005, the program will award up to $1.35 million. The state funds up to 75 percent of the project's first year of advertising and marketing costs. Additional support may be available for the second and third years of the project.

JEM proposals are submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and are reviewed by the Department staff and a JEM Review Committee. For more information on the JEM program, contact Abbie Hill at 608/261-6272, or visit http://agency.travelwisconsin.com.

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