For more information contact:  

Valeria Davis or Lisa Marshall, Wis. Dept. of Tourism 1-800-236-7529

Sara Grover, Port Washington Business Improvement District 262/305-4220

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORT WASHINGTON MARITIME FESTIVAL AWARDED $25,059 GRANT

Joint Effort Marketing program helps fund event’s expanded promotion

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. (June 17, 2008) -- Wisconsin Tourism Marketing and Communications Director Sarah Klavas today announced a $25,059 tourism marketing grant to the Port Washington Business Improvement District to help promote the Port Washington Maritime Festival heritage Aug. 14-17. The festival, which brings replicas of historic tall ships to the Port Washington shore, is expected to bring an additional $500,000 in traveler spending to the region.

“Wisconsin has a unique and fascinating maritime history,” said Wisconsin Tourism Deputy Secretary Mark Richardson. “Our location between two Great Lakes and the Mississippi River put Wisconsin on some of the nation’s earliest maps. Today we celebrate the original pioneering spirit and heritage festivals that recognize historic ports.”

Five majestic tall ships will dock in Port Washington for the Maritime Heritage Festival, giving visitors an opportunity to tour some of the ships, and even go for a sail. The event will open with a Parade of Sail at 6 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 14. The tall-masted ships will parade into Port Washington’s harbor and tie up off the city’s Rotary Park and the WE Energies coal dock, where visitors can admire the largest fleet to ever assemble at the festival throughout the weekend.

Fifty-two Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) projects totaling $1.13 million have been funded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in fiscal 2008. These 52 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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