For more information contact:  

Valeria Davis, Wisconsin Department of Tourism 

Phone: 608/266-2147 

E-mail: vdavis@travelwisconsin.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOURISM AWARDS $120,455 IN JOINT EFFORT MARKETING GRANTS 

Grants will assist local agencies to promote new and existing events

MADISON, Wis. (May 21, 2008) – Seven non-profit organizations have been awarded $120,455 in Wisconsin Department of Tourism Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grants. The grants help promote one-time and new events, boost the marketing of existing events across the state and promote travel to specific areas.

“Our new brand platform positions Wisconsin as a place where ‘originality rules.’ Our industry lives up to that credo season after season, as evidenced by our newest tourism grant recipients,” said Tourism Secretary Kelli A. Trumble. “The list of recipients is a reminder of how important it is to give our residents reasons to re-discover Wisconsin and give out of state visitors a reason to try us.” Trumble further noted that Governor Jim Doyle remains a champion of the grant program because of its proven track record for return-on-investment.

The events and recipients awarded JEM grants include:

• Community Development Alternative, Inc., $14,766 to promote the Kickapoo BRAVE Ride, a new event focusing on bicycling in Crawford County Sept. 20. 

• Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce, $15,000 for the second year of promoting the Northwoods as a Golf destination from Aug. through Sept. 30. 

• Port Washington Business Improvement District, $25,059 to promote an existing event, the Port Washington Maritime Festival Aug. 14-17. 

• Stonefield Historic Site, $1,200 to help promote the third year of its Railroad Days Aug. 16-17. 

• Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, $28,250 to promote a new event, Spirit of St. Croix Days Oct. 15-18. 

• John Michael Kohler Art Center, $20,000 to promote the “Stuff of Life,” a one-time, one-of-a-kind exhibit of Americana Sept. 28-Dec. 30. 

• West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce, $15,680 to promote a new geocaching event, the West Bend Cache Bash Aug. 15-17.

Fifty-two Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) projects totaling $1.13 million have been funded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in fiscal 2008. These projects will generate about $18.7 million for their local communities.

JEM grants are awarded on a competitive basis and applicants may receive up to $40,000. Non-profit organizations must match the award with self-funding and in-kind service donations by organizations and event sponsors. This partnership enables the local community to launch a new event, boost attendance at an existing event, or design a sales promotion with incentives to encourage traveler spending.

The JEM program provides funds for destination marketing projects, sales promotions, and new, existing and one-time, one-of-a-kind events. The JEM program can fund up to 75 percent of a project’s first year advertising and marketing costs. The program may also provide second and third year support for some projects with decreasing amounts each year until the projects become self-sustaining.

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