The head honcho at the state tourism department is traveling the state, talking with locals about the industry.
Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble is gathering feedback from members within the tourism industry, asking about their success with the Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) program.
"By joining with the Department of Tourism , in marketing to out-of-state markets or markets farther away than what they typically reach out to, it drives people to travel and when they're traveling they're spending."
Trumble, who's been on the job for about six months, says more than 1.4-million was awarded to 59 non-profit destination organizations to help their events and programs to achieve success. Trumble says it's a great return for the investment. Just last week, the governor announced that local economies statewide earned more than $30-million in traveler spending this past year as a result of the JEM grant program.
"The department is charged to market Wisconsin, and this grant program gives an extra marketing boost to special events and sales promotions and marketing campaigns taking place throughout the state."
Trumble says it's one of the most popular grant programs in the tourism department. The JEM program is touted as boosting the economy, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:25 MP3)
