Start Your Engines for a Milwaukee Summer of Fun
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Jeannine Sherman
VISIT Milwaukee
800.231.0903 or 414.287.6230
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
START YOUR ENGINES FOR A MILWAUKEE SUMMER FULL OF FUN
MKE’s Summer Lineup Kicks Off with IndyCars, LEGOS, Strawberries and More
MILWAUKEE, May 14, 2012 – Where can you catch 11 days of live music, navigate mountains of LEGOs, sip wine under the Calatrava wings, attend a massive outdoor screening of The Big Lebowski, and satisfy your craving for a pierogi or baklava? It all happens this June in Milwaukee, where summer fun starts out strong with a lineup of events celebrating arts, culture, music and more.
The Milwaukee festival season kicks off with Wisconsin’s largest celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture and awareness, as PrideFest (June 8-10) celebrates its 25th anniversary. Live music, shopping and a Mr. and Miss PrideFest Pageant are just a few of the activities that draw in the diverse and accepting crowd.
Let the kids play with thousands of LEGOS and leave the mess for someone else when LEGO KidsFest (June 15-17) takes over the Frontier Airlines Center. Kids of all ages can enjoy LEGO models of all shapes and sizes, demonstrations from expert LEGO architects and mountains of LEGOs to create their own masterpieces.
Celebrate Polish history and culture at Polish Fest (June 15-17), the first of Milwaukee’s ethnic festivals on parade at the Henry Maier Festival Park. Enjoy historical exhibits, folk art demonstrations, twirling dancers and heaping portions of Polish cuisine.
Andretti Sports Marketing invites you to start your engines and check out the inaugural Milwaukee IndyFest (June 15-16). See the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series roar through the Milwaukee Mile, the world’s oldest continuously operating speedway, located just west of downtown at State Fair Park.
The Lakefront Festival of the Arts (June 15-17) celebrates its 50th year this Father’s Day weekend with over 170 jury-selected artists presenting works including paintings, jewelry, sculptures and ceramics. Wander through the sculpture garden, sip wine under the famous Calatrava-designed wings, and enjoy live music throughout the day.
The Cedarburg Strawberry Festival (June 23-24) celebrates the fruit of the season at its summer prime. Enjoy summer’s sweet treat by the quart or in crepes, slushes and even a strawberry bratwurst. Once you’ve strawberried yourself out, stick around for live music, fine arts on display and to cheer on the brave participating in the Strawberry Shortcake Eating and Strawberry Bubblegum Blowing Contests.
Milwaukee hosts Lebowski Fest (June 22-23), a traveling festival that’s all things “The Big Lebowski.” Fans of the cult classic can catch a performance by Blue Moon Swamp followed by a massive movie screening Friday night in Cathedral Square Park, all while sipping “The Dude’s” drink of choice – White Russians. Rounding off the weekend is a bowling party Saturday night, featuring costume and trivia contests.
Celebrate the culture and heritage of the Mediterranean nation of Greece at Milwaukee Greek Fest (June 22-24). State Fair Park will be filled with vendors selling delicious Greek cuisine, traditional music and dance performances, and a Greek market featuring imported goods and artifacts.
Last but not least, the world’s largest music festival and the main event of festival season, Summerfest, kicks off June 27. Celebrating its 45th season, Summerfest boasts over 700 bands rocking 11 stages over 11 summer days. One of the most diverse music festivals around, this year’s lineup features everything from country and classic rock to hip-hop and electronic.
For more on summer fun in Milwaukee, please visit www.mkefun.com.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has approximately 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.36 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2011and supported more than 47,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Frontier Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino 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 www.visitmilwaukee.org.
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Monday, May 07, 2012
2011 Business, Leisure Travel Sees Continued Growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Jeannine Sherman
Director of Public Relations
414-287-6230
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
2011 Business, Leisure Travel Sees Continued Growth
Milwaukee County Leads the State in Tourism Expenditures
MILWAUKEE — May 7, 2012 — In a kick-off to National Tourism Week (May 5-13), Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele joined VISIT Milwaukee President and CEO, Paul Upchurch, today to report that the strongest growth in tourism revenues in the state in 2011 occurred here in Milwaukee County.
Tourism expenditures in Milwaukee County were reported as the largest of any county in the state, coming to an estimated $1.57 billion in 2011, representing an increase of 7.25 percent over the $1.47 billion spent there in 2010. Tourism-supported jobs were up within Milwaukee County by almost 300 full-time positions.
“Milwaukee County continues to drive the state’s tourism economy. We have great convention facilities, incredible attractions and our local hospitality is first class,” County Executive Abele said. “I’m confident that we will have continued growth this year and in the years ahead.”
The numbers are estimates from The Economic Impact of Tourism in Wisconsin, an annual tourism economic impact study commissioned by the state and conducted by Tourism Economics.
Traveler expenditures for the Greater Milwaukee Area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties) came to an estimated $2.36 billion for the year, representing an increase of 7.4 percent, or $162 million, from $2.2 billion in 2010. In addition, the industry supported 47,508 full-time equivalent jobs, up from 47,132 in 2010. Tourism was responsible for adding $1.42 billion in wages (up from the $1.37 billion the previous year) and contributing $574 million in local, state and federal taxes (up from $546 million the previous year).
“After a very strong year in 2010, the tourism economy in the Greater Milwaukee Area saw continued strong growth in 2011. In addition to growth in leisure travel, business travel saw encouraging increases in 2011,” said Paul Upchurch, president & CEO of VISIT Milwaukee.
VISIT Milwaukee hosted 207 conventions in 2011, an increase of 28% over the 162 conventions in 2010. These conventions brought in more than 372,000 attendees, an 18% increase over last year’s 315,000. Over $116 million dollars in estimated economic impact resulted from these conventions, up 4% from last year’s $112 million.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.5 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2010 and supported more than 61,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Frontier Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino 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 www.visitmilwaukee.org.
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Thursday, May 03, 2012
VISIT Milwaukee Gears Up for “Great Milwaukee Summer” with Customer Service Training
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Jeannine Sherman
VISIT Milwaukee
800.231.0903 or 414.287.6230
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
VISIT Milwaukee Gears Up for “Great Milwaukee Summer” with Customer Service Training
MILWAUKEE – May 3, 2012– In the run up to the summer high season of the local tourism and hospitality industry, VISIT Milwaukee and the Greater Milwaukee Hotel and Lodging Association are collaborating on the “Great Milwaukee Summer,” a series of dynamic customer service training sessions at the Frontier Airlines Center from May 8-10.
As a tie-in to National Tourism Week May 7-15, veteran customer service trainer Deb Schmidt, will help frontline employees brush up on their skills, ensuring that their first impression is a lasting, positive one.
“We want to prepare a legion of ambassadors to man the frontlines of Milwaukee’s hotels, restaurants and exciting tourism attractions,” said VISIT Milwaukee President & CEO Paul Upchurch. “May is a great time of year to emphasize the importance of being ready to go the extra mile this summer, so that visitors will truly enjoy all that the city has to offer. We’re making strides in upgrading the city’s image as a tourism and convention destination, and proof of that are visitors, who go away talking up Milwaukee and returning again and again.”
In addition to the training, attendees will be able to learn more about what area businesses and attractions are offering this summer at a mini-expo showcase with exhibits by VISIT Milwaukee partners.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.5 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2010 and supported more than 61,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Frontier Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and 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 www.visitmilwaukee.org.
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Lakefront museums come together as the Milwaukee Museum Mile
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Jeannine Sherman
VISIT Milwaukee
800.231.0903 or 414.287.6230
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Lakefront museums come together as the Milwaukee Museum Mile
Explore five hidden jewels tucked into Milwaukee’s Historic East side
MILWAUKEE, May 3, 2012 – The Milwaukee Museum Mile, a group of five arts and culture museums on the city’s Historic East side, makes its official debut on Sunday, May 6, 2012 with a kickoff event running 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can explore all five museums free of charge with complimentary shuttle service between each establishment. Light refreshments and free docent-led tours will be available at each museum as well as children’s activities, including a Milwaukee Museum Mile scavenger hunt.
The museums provide a unique slice of culture, history and art within their distinct niche. Dedicated to the history and culture of the Jewish people, the Jewish Museum Milwaukee tells the story of Milwaukee’s Jewish community through artifacts, photographs, film and personal narratives. Stroll down Prospect Avenue to the Museum of Wisconsin Art at St. John’s on the Lake, which features quarterly rotating exhibits highlighting Wisconsin artists. Housed in a Tudor-style mansion over 100 years old, the Charles Allis Art Museum is a gift to the citizens of Milwaukee from the philanthropist and arts patron featuring works from the namesake’s private collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics and more. Sister museum to the Charles Allis, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum makes its home in another lakefront mansion in the style of a Northern Italian Villa and offers European furnishings and art works from the 1400’s to the 1700’s. A beacon of Milwaukee’s maritime history, visitors can tour the North Point Lighthouse at Lake Park restored to its 20th century glory and climb to the top of the 74-foot tower for views of Lake Michigan, the surrounding park and the city.
For more information on the Milwaukee Museum Mile, visit: www.milwaukeemuseummile.org.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.5 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2010and supported more than 61,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Frontier Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino 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 www.visitmilwaukee.org.
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