Wisconsin Department of Tourism
{{Short description|Government agency in Wisconsin, United States}}
{{Infobox government agency
|agency_name = Wisconsin Department of Tourism
|logo = Seal of Wisconsin.svg
|logo_width = 200px
|logo_caption =
|seal =
|seal_width =
|seal_caption =
|formed = {{Start date and age|1995|12|24}}
|preceding1 =
|preceding2 =
|preceding3 =
|jurisdiction = Wisconsin
|headquarters = 3319 W Beltline Hwy {{nowrap|Madison, Wisconsin}}
|employees = 34
|chief1_name = Anne Sayers{{cite web |url=https://www.industry.travelwisconsin.com/about-us/tourism-department-arts-board/tourism-secretary/ |title= Secretary-designee Anne Sayers |website= Travel Wisconsin |access-date= December 23, 2022 }}
|chief1_position = Secretary
|chief2_name =
|chief2_position =
|chief3_name =
|chief3_position =
|parent_agency =
|website = [http://travelwisconsin.com/ TravelWisconsin.com]
|footnotes =
}}
Overview
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of Wisconsin responsible for marketing and promoting the state as a travel destination.{{cite web |url=http://walker.wi.gov/departments/department-tourism |title=Department of Tourism |website=Office of the Governor - Scott Walker |access-date=April 6, 2015 }} The Department has been led by Anne Sayers since December of 2020.{{cite web |title=Secretary Anne Sayers |url=https://www.industry.travelwisconsin.com/about-us/tourism-department-arts-board/tourism-secretary/ |website=Travel Wisconsin |publisher=Wisconsin Department of Tourism.}}
A primary tool that the department uses to fulfill its mission and duties is maintaining its official web site, [http://www.travelwisconsin.com TravelWisconsin.com], which contains a wide variety of information, including access to reservations at various amenities. Although the department has had the site since 1996, a major update occurred in 2001 as part of a strategic re-prioritization of information technology.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Meg |date=March 16, 2001 |title=State updates tourism Web site |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uqcaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WjAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3616%2C5848225 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |location=Milwaukee, WI |access-date=April 7, 2015 }}
Tourism is a huge economic driver in Wisconsin. In 2018, the industry had a $21.6 billion impact on the state with more than 112 million visitors. Additionally, tourism in 2018 generated $1.6 billion in state and local revenue and $1.2 billion in federal taxes and supported 199,073 jobs in the state of Wisconsin.{{Cite web|url=https://industry.travelwisconsin.com/the-power-of-tourism|title=The Power of Tourism {{!}} Travel Wisconsin|website=TravelWisconsin|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01}} In 2021, Wisconsin tourism had a $20.9 billion total economic impact and supported more than 169,000 full and part-time jobs.
Although a department of tourism was called for by leaders as early as 1967,{{cite news |date=October 5, 1966 |title=Campaign Funds 'Debated', by Lucey, Governor's Aide |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2151702/eau_claire_daily_telegram_19661005/ |newspaper=The Daily Telegram |location=Eau Claire, WI |access-date=April 6, 2015 }} prior to 1995 state sponsored tourism promotion was performed as a division of other departments.{{cite web |url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/15 |title=Wisconsin Statutes - Chapter 15 |publisher=Wisconsin Legislature |access-date=April 6, 2015 }} The department began operations on December 24, 1995, under its first secretary Richard "Moose" Speros.{{cite news |date=November 29, 1995 |title=Speros will head Tourism Department |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oJgaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HC0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6583%2C6954111 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |location=Milwaukee, WI |access-date=April 6, 2015 }}
Tourism grant programs
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism invests heavily in ventures around the state through grant programs.{{Cite web|url=https://industry.travelwisconsin.com/grants|title=Grants {{!}} Travel Wisconsin|website=TravelWisconsin|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01}}
Attached boards
Past secretaries
=Secretaries (1995–present)=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;" |
| Secretary
! Took office ! Left office ! Notes |
|---|
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Richard|Speros|nolink=1}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|1995|12|24}} | {{Date table sorting|2003|1|6}} | align="left" | Appointed by Tommy Thompson |
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Kevin|Shibilski}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|2003|1|6}} | {{Date table sorting|2003|5|2}} | align="left" | Appointed by Jim Doyle |
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Jim|Holperin}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|2003|5|12}} | {{Date table sorting|2007|1|7}} | align="left" | Appointed by Jim Doyle |
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Kelli A.|Trumble|nolink=1}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|2007|1|7}} | {{Date table sorting|2011|1|3}} | align="left" | Appointed by Jim Doyle |
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Stephanie|Klett}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|2011|1|3}} | {{Date table sorting|2019|1|7}} | align="left" | Appointed by Scott Walker |
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Sara|Meaney|nolink=1}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|2019|1|7}} | {{Date table sorting|2020|12|1}} | align="left" | Appointed by Tony Evers |
| align="left" | {{nowrap|{{sortname|Anne|Sayers|nolink=1}}}}
| {{Date table sorting|2020|12|1}} | Current | align="left" | Appointed by Tony Evers |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |url=http://www.travelwisconsin.com/ |title=Official website |website=TravelWisconsin.com |access-date=April 6, 2015 }}
- {{cite web |url=http://kvr.state.wi.us/ |title=Kickapoo Valley Reserve |access-date=April 7, 2015 }}
- {{cite web |url=http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/LowerWisconsin/ |title=Lower Wisconsin River Parkway |access-date=April 7, 2015 }}
{{Wisconsin|collapsed}}
{{authority control}}