Doyle praises departing state Tourism Department chief Holperin

Governor Jim Doyle today praised Secretary Jim Holperin for his exemplary leadership of the Department of Tourism and for his effort to expand Wisconsin’s third largest industry.  Holperin announced today that he will leave the administration early next year. 

“Jim Holperin has been a great leader for the Department of Tourism and a key player in our effort to grow Wisconsin‘s economy,” Governor Doyle said.  “Even in difficult budget times, we’ve made it a priority to invest in, upgrade, and expand Wisconsin‘s tourism industry, and that has made an enormous difference.  I want to thank Jim for all his service to Wisconsin over the years, and I wish him and his family all the best.”

“Governor Doyle has been a strong advocate for Wisconsin‘s travel industry, and it was a pleasure to have served in his administration,” Holperin said.  “During his first term, the Governor provided a significant increase to Wisconsin‘s tourism marketing budget and, more importantly, secured new sources of funding for promoting the state.”

Holperin said that, thanks to Governor Doyle’s leadership, the state’s tourism industry is the strongest it has been in several years and said traveler spending in Wisconsin has increased in each of the past four years.

During Holperin’s tenure, the Tourism Department implemented a new and more contemporary advertising campaign using the slogan “Wisconsin – Life’s So Good”.  The state’s official tourism website, travelwisconsin.com, has been completely redesigned and debuts next month.

Several new programs to serve the travel industry have been launched under Holperin’s leadership, including the Ready, Set, Go! grant program to attract more sporting events to the state, a voluntary environmental certification program for tourism businesses called Travel Green Wisconsin, and additional professional development opportunities for travel businesses and organizations.

Holperin said the travel time required to be with his wife and family who live in Eagle River was the sole consideration in deciding to leave the job. 

Holperin will serve until January 3rd and has no immediate plans for other employment.