Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Iron Horse's historical details turn this Milwaukee boutique hotel into a living museum. From the antique Bank of London library chairs to the building's original 1907 fire door used as the entrance to Smyth restaurant, every room has a conversation piece.

Milwaukee Plays Host to Tourism Conference

Annual Governor's event to bring more than 700 attendees

In Wisconsin, tourism is a $13 billion annual business. In the greater Milwaukee area, tourism contributes about $2.7 billion to the local economy and supports 66,000 jobs.

Milwaukee will serve as the hub for the state's tourism industry as it hosts the annual Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism, Mar. 14-16. The annual event, which moves around the state, is back in Milwaukee, the first time in 10 years.

The event and its attendees are expected to pump about $750,000 into the local economy based on the estimate of 1,200 hotel room nights and more than 700 delegates.

"The Milwaukee area has invested literally billions of dollars into its tourism infrastructure since we last hosted this event," said David Fantle, vice president of public relations for VISIT Milwaukee. "The Midwest Airlines Center, where much of the conference will be held, to the Potawatomi Bingo Casino, which is hosting the opening reception, are two examples of these investments. We look forward to showing off ‘new" Milwaukee to our tourism colleagues."

"Tourism has proven to be a wise investment for the city of Milwaukee, generating jobs and tax revenue for the area," Tourism Secretary Kelli A. Trumble said. "We are pleased to be supporting that investment by bringing this year's tourism conference to the state's largest market for meetings and conventions."

The conference, the largest of its kind in the country, will feature keynote speakers, professional development sessions, a marketplace and the closing dinner, hosted by Governor Doyle.

More information on the conference can be found at http://www.wigcot.com/. Media interested covering the event should contact Lisa Marshall at the Department of Tourism, 262-267-3773, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 620 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2008 and supported about 66,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Midwest Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, the Spirit of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.

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