MEDIA CONTACT:
Jocelyn Berkhahn, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Phone: 608-261-8203
Email: jberkhahn@travelwisconsin.com
Media Room: http://media.travelwisconsin.com
MADISON, Wis. (September 9, 2010) — Governor Doyle has appointed Paul Upchurch, President and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee, to the Governor’s Council on Tourism.
“Paul’s experience, knowledge and dedication to the tourism industry will be an asset to the Council of Tourism,” Governor Doyle said. “Tourism is a core piece of Wisconsin’s economy, and the Governor’s Council on Tourism plays an important role in ensuring the industry continues to grow and create jobs for Wisconsin residents.”
Upchurch was named President and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee in March. Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Tennis Corporation of America and Vice President of Hotel Operations for Marcus Hotels and Resorts. He has also held a variety of manager positions in hotels throughout the country. Upchurch has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan.
“Representing the state’s largest metropolitan area, where travelers spend over $1 billion annually, Paul is a critical addition to the Tourism Council,” Tourism Secretary Kelli A. Trumble said. “His 30 years of tourism experience will benefit the Council’s work and help drive the strategic decisions we need to make to ensure that tourism in Wisconsin remains a top contributor to the state’s economy and quality of life.”
The Governor’s Council on Tourism is made up of 20 individuals appointed by the Governor, hailing from all corners of the state and from a variety of occupations within the state’s tourism industry. Tourism Council members provide strategic insight and advisement to the Department of Tourism to further its mission to inspire people to love the Wisconsin experience and grow the tourism economy in the state.
A list of the twenty-member Governor’s Council on Tourism is available on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website at http://industry.travelwisconsin.com.
