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Wisconsin Dells Wows With Increase of Nearly 6% in Tourism Spending in 2012
It was another stellar year for the Wisconsin Dells tourism economy. After posting a 7.7 percent growth in visitor spending in 2011, the
community followed that up with a 5.98 percent growth spike for 2012. The Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau commissions an
annual tourism research study, prepared by Tourism Economics, an international firm headquartered in Philadelphia and specializing in
quantifying the economic value of tourism. That same firm prepares a statewide report for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Here are
additional findings from the research, including a look at how Wisconsin Dells fared versus the state as a whole:
Visitor spending in Wisconsin Dells grew to $927 million in 2012, a gain of nearly 6 percent.
Overall visitor spending for the state during the same period grew 4.6 percent.
With two years of strong spending growth, Wisconsin Dells tourism businesses began to hire – tourism businesses employed 11,845 in
2012, up 1.8 percent from the previous year.
Tourism employment statewide grew 1.4% in 2012
.
Total employment supported by visitor spending in Wisconsin Dells, both direct and indirect, grew 1.7% to 15,298.
All tracked categories of tourism-related spending in Wisconsin Dells – lodging, food & beverage, retail, recreation and transportation –
posted gains for 2012.
Complete details on the 2012 Visitor Spending will be published in the WDVCB’s 2012 Annual Report and will be mailed to all members this
summer.
About the Tourism Research Model
Tourism Economics uses a conservative research model that calculates three levels of tourism impact:
Direct Impact: Visitor spending on recreation, lodging, restaurants and attractions.
Indirect Impact: The flow of a visitor’s expenditures as it is traced to food wholesalers and farmers, utilities, marketing, publishing and
so on.
Induced Impact: The benefits to the economy as tourism employees spend their wages in the local economy, generating additional
output, jobs, taxes and wages.
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Bureau Produces Guide to Wisconsin Dells Parkway Pedestrian Crosswalks
This summer will mark the beginning of a pilot project involving pedestrian crosswalks on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway. In an effort to assist
local residents, employees and guests in becoming familiar with the crosswalks, the Bureau has created a “Wisconsin Dells Parkway Pedestrian
Crosswalks Guide” poster for businesses to display. The poster explains the series of lights vehicles will be exposed to and the proper behavior
for each and also gives pedestrians information on their visual aids as well.
Bureau members in the Attraction, Accommodation, Campground, Restaurant, Shopping and Visitor Services divisions should have received a
poster electronically last week. Additional copies can be ordered by contacting Wendy Fischer at (608) 254-7180, ext. 302 or
[email protected]
.
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South Parkway Construction Update
The Hwy. 12/South Parkway construction project estimated completion date has been moved to June 28th. A D.O.T. representative indicated
that it is likely that a single lane in each direction will be opened up within the next three weeks to increase traffic flow.
Businesses that can be conveniently reached by visitors, approaching the Wisconsin Dells/Lake Delton area from the south, using I90-94 Exit
89 may want to consider recommending Exit 89 to their guests in order to ease the traffic flow at Exit 92.
Construction from the Dell Creek Bridge to the Lake Delton intersection of Hwy’s 23 and 12 will begin after Labor Day.
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Drop Box at 115 La Crosse Street Entrance
Just a reminder that we offer a drop box at our 115 La Crosse Street/Administrative Offices entrance. If you simply need to drop something
off, you can do so any time of the day, any day of the week. Bureau staff will be checking the drop box several times per day during normal
business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). We hope this service makes your day a little more efficient.
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Visitor Information Centers Start Summer Hours
The Visitor Information Centers (701 Superior Street, Wisconsin Dells and 31 Meadowview Drive, Lake Delton) began their summer hours on
Friday, May 24, 2013. Hours are from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. seven days a week. As a reminder, we will be stocking member brochures in two
locations, so please provide enough for both locations. Work permits will be issued in both locations as well.
If you have questions or need us to pick up your brochures, please contact Lagena Bauernfeind at (608) 254-7180, ext. 321 or
[email protected] or Tammy Stephan at (608) 254-7180, ext. 348 or [email protected].
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Performance Report
Click here (member log-in required) to view the March/April 2013 WDVCB Performance Report in the Newsletters & Reports section of
MembersNet.
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Social Speak
Find Your Niche
There is literally an app for everything these days, which allows a savvy social business to find their niche and market to their targeted
consumer. Here are a few examples that you might be overlooking.
Untapped – a social discovery and check-in network for anyone that enjoys beer. You can easily find nearby craft beers and bars, see what
beers are trending, as well as see where your friends are drinking.
Foodspotting – The leading app for finding and rating dishes, not just restaurants. Foodspotting provides users with a visual guide to good food
and where to find it.
Foursquare – Over 30 million people use Foursquare to find out where friends and locals love to go. For businesses – it is easy to offer those
who check in to your location a discount, freebie or an incentive to become a “Mayor” of your location.
It is easy to do a quick search of your app store to find out if there are any niche apps that you are missing out on. Just a quick keyword
search associated with your business and you will get instant results. Don’t miss out on a built-in audience.
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School Calendars
Annually, the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau compiles an out-of-session calendar for school districts within our target markets.
The calendar allows members to plan marketing and special promotions around those times of the year when families will be most able to
travel flexibly.
The 2013/2014 K-12 School Calendar is now available under the MembersNet section (member log-in required) on wisdells.com. In an effort
to continue our “Go Green” efforts, the Bureau will only be mailing out the school calendar upon request. Contact Bonnie Stratton at (608)
254-7180, ext. 333 or [email protected] with any questions, or if you would like to have a copy of the calendar mailed to you.
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Current Bureau Literature
At this time, the following Bureau marketing collateral is available to member businesses:
2013 Wisconsin Dells Vacation Guide®
2013 Attraction & Lodging Price Guide
8th Annual Wisconsin Dells Waterslide-athon Brochure
2013 - 2014 Festivals & Events Brochure
2013 Autumn Harvest Fest Brochure
2013 Meetings & Conventions/Group Activities Planning Guide
Splash on Safety Card (with and without lifeguards)
Water Safety Public Service Announcement (PSA's)
Sun Safety Public Service Announcement (PSA's)
If you would like a quantity to share with your guests, materials may be picked up at the administrative entrance at 115 La Crosse Street, 9
a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. If you have questions, contact Tammy Stephan at (608) 254-7180, ext. 348 or [email protected].
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Customer Service Training DVDs
The Bureau has two customer service training DVDs to offer members to share with their staff.
Remember Me? – This course focuses on the importance of providing good customer service and the fact that not all customers complain
when they have a bad experience, they simply take their business elsewhere.
What Do You Say? – This course deals with those awkward, intimidating, sometimes overwhelming customer situations that your staff may
have to deal with. It then provides realistic, practical answers that they can use on the job immediately.
If you would like to check out one or both of these DVDs to share with your staff, please contact Tammy Stephan at (608) 254-7180, ext.
348 or [email protected]
.
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Employee Entertainment Cards Issued Thursday Evenings in June & July
Employee Entertainment Cards (EECs) will be issued from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau (701
Superior Street/Information Center entrance), each Thursday evening in June and July. Cards will continue to be issued Monday – Friday, 9
a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Administrative Lobby at 115 La Crosse Street.
Businesses are reminded that eligible employees must present the required identification (Drivers License or Social Security Card) AND a recent
pay stub, issued by the member business, in order to receive their EEC, even if you have purchased vouchers for your employees.
Bureau staff enforces EEC policies set by the Board of Directors, as recommended by the Attraction Division. Please take the time to inform
your eligible employees of the policies to ensure that they receive their cards promptly and to avoid disappointment if turned away due to
insufficient identification.
Contact Bonnie Stratton at (608) 254-7180, ext. 333 or [email protected] with questions regarding the EEC program or to order
vouchers.
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Medical Insurance Benefit for Bureau Members
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau partners with Dean Health Plan to provide members of the Visitor Bureau with a stable, premium
medical insurance benefit.
Dean offers a wide array of products for sole proprietors, as well as businesses that are looking to provide coverage for their employees. Dean
offers products that utilize the vast Dean Health Plan physician network, as well as options that allow you to use the provider of your choice,
regardless of network. Options are also available for businesses that have employees located out-of-state.
Members that are new to Dean will receive a 3% discount on premiums, and although each business will have their own unique benefits and
premiums, renewals are developed as a whole. This unique concept allows all participants to renew as one large business, creating a
partnership between local businesses to help keep costs stable.
Receiving rates for the chamber plan is simple – application forms must be completed by those seeking coverage. Dean Health Plan, in
conjunction with local insurance agents, can help businesses complete the paperwork. There is no obligation to enroll.
Tell your fellow business owners! Even businesses that are not current WDVCB members can receive a no obligation premium quote. If
enrollment is accepted, WDVCB membership must be obtained.
The health insurance options through Dean Health Plan provide you with more than your basic health coverage. Dean encourages you to
participate in healthy activities. In addition to providing full coverage for preventive services, Dean offers the Wellness Incentives Now program
which provides reimbursement for health-related activities.
For more information, please contact your local insurance agent, or Dean Health Plan at (800) 279-1301.
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Members in the News
TripAdvisor Recognizes Kaminski Chop House
TripAdvisor is delighted to recognize Kaminski Chop House at Chula Vista Resort with a 2013 Certificate of Excellence.
This prestigious award, which places Kaminski Chop House in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on Trip-Advisor, is given to
businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travelers.
Please join us in congratulating Kaminski Chop House on this accomplishment.
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Meeting Update
Click here (member log-in required) to read minutes from past Bureau meetings and to view the schedule of upcoming Bureau meetings under
the Meeting & Minutes section.
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Membership Update
Our warmest welcome goes out to our new 2013 WDVCB members:
Bug Tussel Wireless (Associate)
Herons Landing on Lake Delton c/o Sand County Service Co. (Accommodation)
Office of Jeffrey L. Filter, S.C. (Associate)
Wisconsin Dells Taxi (Visitor Services)
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Mark Your Calendar…
The following marketing opportunities and programs are ongoing and members can sign up for them at any time:
Employment Opportunity Guide
wisdells.com
Gift Card Program
Calendar of Events Listings
Leisure Inquiry Leads
Classic Wisconsin Dells
Packages & Deals Web Site Incentive
Click here (member log-in required) to view all solicitations/programs
.
Meetings
June 4, 2013 (Tuesday) - Marketing Committee Meeting from 8 - 8:45 a.m.
June 18, 2013 (Tuesday) - Festivals Board if Directors Meeting from 10 - 11 a.m.
July 2, 2013 (Tuesday) - Marketing Commitee Meeting from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
July 9, 2013 (Tuesday) - Board of Directors Meeting from 4 - 5 p.m.
July 10, 2013 (Wednesday) - Accommodation Division Meeting from 9 - 10 a.m.
All meetings are held in the WDVCB Board Room unless otherwise noted.
Events
June 8-9, 2013 (Sat-Sun) - Taste of Wisconisn Dells, downtown Wisconsin Dells
June 15, 2013 (Sat) - Wisconsin Dells Waterslide-athon, five participating businesses
July 4, 2013 (Thurs) - 4th of July Fireworks (approximately 9 p.m. near the municipal pool in downtown Wisconsin Dells)
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May Events Recap
The Wisconsin Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives hosted their first annual joint golf outing
on May 20, 2013 in Lake Geneva, WI. There were over 100 pre-registered attendees including 33 association executives. The WDVCB was a
golf sponsor at the event.
For more information on tradeshows and events, please contact Tifani Jones at (608) 254-7180, ext. 345 or [email protected].
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Upcoming Tradeshows & Events:
Senior Planner Industry Network SPINCon (Atlantic City, NJ) - June 5-7, 2013
The Americas Incentive, Business Travel, & Meetings Exhibition, AIBTM (Chicago, IL) - June 11-13, 2013
Collaborate Marketplace (Denver, CO) – June 13-15, 2013
Meeting Professionals Int'l - WI Chapter (Delavan, WI) – June 20, 2013
Meeting Professionals Int'l - World Education Congress (Las Vegas, NV) – July 20-23, 2013
Meetings Focus Live! (Branson, MO) – July 28-30, 2013
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Automotion 2013
Bright sunny skies and temperatures in the 70’s made Automotion 2013 a huge success. An estimated 1,250 beautifully restored cars filled the
event along with a record-breaking number of swap meet vendors. A very special “thank you” to the Lake Delton Police Department,
Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Lake Delton Fire Department, Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Original Wisconsin Ducks®, Tommy Bartlett, Inc.,
Dells Area Cruisers and many others for their time and commitment to the event.
We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to the trophy sponsors and all 150+ Bureau members that participated with special offers in
the brochure, goody bag items and door prize donations. Thanks for making the 27th annual event the best ever.
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8th Annual Waterslide-athon - Saturday, June 15, 2013
The 8th Annual Wisconsin Dells Waterslide-athon will be held on Saturday, June 15. The presence in the community will again feature five
participating businesses: Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari Resort Waterparks, McDonald’s – Wisconsin Dells & Lake Delton, Mt. Olympus Water &
Theme Parks, and Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort have pledged a portion of their day’s proceeds to this worthwhile event. Ronald McDonald®
will be appearing at all five properties throughout the day.
Special coupon offers for the Wisconsin Dells event are being distributed through participating South Central Wisconsin McDonald’s®
restaurants and participating Courtesy Corporation McDonald’s® restaurants. They may also be obtained by calling the Bureau office at (608)
254-8088 or by logging on to www.wisdells.com/ronald.
In addition to the five properties participation, many Wisconsin Dells area businesses pledged contributions. With the new format and expanded
contributions to date, nearly $25,000 has been pledged to the Ronald McDonald House Charities® for this years event. Please encourage your
guests and staff to join the fun for this worthwhile charity of choice.
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Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Games
June 14-15, 2013 JustAgame Fieldhouse will be the host of the 2013 WBCA All-Star Games. The games feature the top graduated senior girls
and boys from across the state. There will be 300 participants including athletes and coaches, as well as an estimated 1500 spectators each
day.
On Friday, June 14, there are five girls games scheduled with start times from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. It is the boys’ turn on Saturday, June 15
with start times from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.
For more information on the All-Star Games, visit www.wisbca.org.
If you would like any additional information, please contact Tifani Jones at (608) 254-7180, ext. 345 or [email protected].
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USSSA Global World Series
USSSA will be hosting the Global World Series at Woodside Sports Complex this July. The 11U & 12U age groups will compete July 3-7, 2013
and the 10U & 13U age groups will compete July 10-14, 2013. Each age group will have 24 teams competing.
If you would like any additional information, please contact Alison Huber, CMP at (608) 254-7180, ext. 342 or [email protected].
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Upcoming June Events
Click here to view upcoming June events.
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