As the finale for VISIT Milwaukee’s National Travel & Tourism Week celebrations, the tourism bureau and Sports Milwaukee are highlighting the impact of sports tourism, as well as Milwaukee’s home teams and athletes with the release of the latest collaboration video featuring Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis.
“It’s clear that Bobby loves Milwaukee, and we know how much leisure visitors and meeting planners love him right back,” says Josh Albrecht, VISIT Milwaukee’s vice president of marketing and communications. “That’s why it was an easy decision to continue our partnership with him that also highlights the people and places that make Milwaukee one of National Geographic’s Best Places in the World for travel.”
VISIT Milwaukee’s partnership with Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis continues in 2023 to promote Milwaukee and drive increased visitation. Supported by a robust marketing campaign, the bureau uses the Bobby Portis video content to attract both leisure visitors, as well as meeting planners through tradeshow activations, video bid proposals, and more.
The video released today was produced by Nō Studios and takes viewers on a trip to explore Bobby’s Milwaukee at attractions around the city. Arriving in Milwaukee in 2020, Bobby has quickly become a fan favorite and local icon. A key contributor to the city’s first championship in 50 years, his relationship with the fans and love for the city of Milwaukee made Bobby the perfect choice to represent VISIT Milwaukee as the city’s hype-man. Attractions on Bobby’s most recent tour include the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Public Library, the Baird Center, Jamaican restaurant Uppa Yard and HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary. The video can be viewed in full and downloaded here.
“From the best fans in basketball to some of the best food and cultural attractions I’ve experienced, Milwaukee has it all and I’m so proud to partner with VISIT Milwaukee to help show it off to the world,” says Bobby Portis.
Leaning on a sports star to attract visitors aligns with the bureau’s strategic marketing goals, which places a heavy emphasis on increasing sports tourism. Year-to-date Sports Milwaukee, which markets Milwaukee as the premier destination for amateur and professional sports events, has generated $23.3 million in total economic impact for the Greater Milwaukee area by bringing in 23 events that have generated 21,000 room nights across a total attendance of 99,000 visitors. This year the team, which is led by Sports Milwaukee Director Marissa Werner, has also booked additional events for future years, generating 4,000 potential hotel room nights and nearly $7.5 million in economic impact.
“Milwaukee has amazing home teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Brewers, Admirals and Milkmen, and it will soon get even better with new venues that will support sporting events of all kinds like the Baird Center, Iron District and the Opportunity Center,” says Werner. “Combine those with the people like Bobby Portis who make our sports economy turn, and it’s easy to see why Milwaukee is becoming a top sports destination.”
VISIT Milwaukee is also proud to support the Milwaukee Admiral’s playoff chase for the Calder Cup, the ongoing season for the Milwaukee Brewers, and eagerly anticipates the Milwaukee Milkmen’s start of the American Association season later today.