Dept. of Tourism: Green Bay CVB receives $30,000 Tourism grant for Restaurant Week

MEDIA CONTACT:
Danielle Johnson, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
608-266-0458; djohnson@travelwisconsin.com

Brenda Krainik, Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau
920-405-1176; Brenda@greenbay.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Come hungry! First year event expected to generate over $200,000 in visitor spending

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Dec. 6, 2012) – The Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau will encourage visitors to come hungry for the first ever Green Bay Restaurant Week, July 11-18, 2013. The bureau received a $30,000 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant to promote the event, presented by Department of Tourism Industry Relations and Services Director Sarah Klavas. Green Bay Restaurant Week will highlight 30-40 different area restaurants, showcasing the diverse dining opportunities Green Bay offers. The event is expected to generate an economic impact of about $206,000.

“The Green Bay area truly has a wide variety of fantastic dining options to suit any palate and this is the perfect event to encourage travelers and residents alike to explore the excellent restaurants participating,” said Klavas. “In addition to great meals, this event will draw attention to the diverse selection of restaurants in Green Bay, creating a positive economic impact in the community.”

Food purchases in Brown County accounted for 23 percent of expenditures by visitors in Brown County in 2011 and according to the Brown County Restaurant Association, summer is a shoulder season for restaurants, putting this event in a position to boost food sales during a typically slower time. Goals for the event are to increase the number of meals served by 3,000, as well as increase the number of room nights and day trippers during those days. Meals are expected to cost $10 for lunch and $20-30 for dinner and feature pre-fixed menus to showcase signature dishes the restaurant does best.

“We are so excited at the opportunity to showcase Green Bay area chefs and their cuisine. Our restaurants are top notch and they are very important to the tourism community. Everyone dines out while they’re on vacation,” says Brenda Krainik, director of marketing at the Greater Green bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. ”We think tourists will thoroughly enjoy visiting us during Restaurant Week 2013.”

Grant funds will be used for print, radio and online advertising. Advertising will drive people to a mini website for the event, highlighting each restaurant, their menu, and a photo gallery. In addition, give-aways for overnight accommodations will be incorporated to encourage a weekend trip.

In fiscal 2012, the Department funded 50 Joint Effort Marketing projects, awarding a total of over $1.1 million dollars. Visitor expenditures driven by the marketing from these projects will exceed $29 million.

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.

The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the state as the Midwest’s premier travel destination for fun. By executing industry-leading marketing programs, providing reliable travel information and establishing strategic partnerships, we will play a significant role in delivering exceptional customer service and generating greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler information can be found at: www.travelwisconsin.com.

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