MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Marshall, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
608-267-3773; lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com
Norma Bishop, Wisconsin Maritime Museum
920-684-0218; nbishop@wisconsinmaritime.org
Tourism Dep. Secy. Fantle presents grant to promote “Wisconsin’s Schooner Coast Passport”
MANITOWOC, Wis. (April 1, 2011) — Department of Tourism Deputy Secretary David Fantle today presented a $39,550 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant to market a new multi-community sales promotion, “Wisconsin’s Schooner Coast Passport,” that features travel opportunities in the coastal communities of Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Algoma, Kewaunee and Sturgeon Bay. Event organizers project the sales promotion will draw 4,300 visitors and generate an economic impact of $297,200 from the additional traveler spending in area hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail stores.
“Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coastline offers a compelling travel experience that includes maritime museums, lighthouses, boardwalks, state recreational trails and parks, fishing and the SS Badger,” Dep. Secy. Fantle said. “This sales promotion is the catalyst for these five communities to partner and package their similar offerings and cross-sell all of the opportunities available to consumers in the area. In the end, a collaborative promotion of this caliber will attract more visitors to the region, stimulate the economy with traveler spending and secure tourism jobs for area residents.”
The Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program funded 51 projects totaling $1.14 million in fiscal year 2010. Visitor expenditures driven by the marketing from these projects exceeded $30 million.
Wisconsin’s Schooner Coast is a marketing initiative that reaches out to visitors in key Midwest markets with online and print advertising, social media, public relations, outdoor advertising and direct mail. The four-color Schooner Coast Passport offers attractive discounts on lodging, restaurants, and retail and will be available for download on http://www.schoonercoast.org or pick-up at tourism information centers in the region.
Another highlight of the promotion is the “Schooner Coast Voyage” by the S/V Denis Sullivan, Wisconsin’s flagship schooner, home-ported at Discovery World in Milwaukee. The authentic, 137-foot gaff-rigged schooner will be at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc on June 25 -26 for River Rendezvous, a two-day celebration featuring music, food, family water games, and cruises on the schooner. The ship then sets sail for the Door County Maritime Museum where it will celebrate a Red, White, and Blue Water Fourth of July with deck tours and cruises, July 1 through 4.
JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for the promotion of Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. The state can fund up to 75 percent of a project’s first year advertising and marketing costs and provides support for second and third year projects, but with decreasing amounts for funding each year until projects become self-sustaining.
For information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit http://industry.travelwisconsin.com.
