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Board of Directors Nominations
Divisions with seats expiring in 2013 will be meeting in September to nominate candidates for the Board of Directors.
The following seats will be expiring:
Accommodation Division
Scott Kalcik, 70 units or less
Dawn Baker, 71 – 299 units
Joe Eck, 300+ units
Attraction Division
Jill Diehl, Director-at-Large
Kevin Ricks, Director-at-Large
Campground Division
Becky Gussel
Restaurant Division
Dan Collar
Shopping Division
Ben Borcher
Election ballots will be mailed to all members in good standing (those members current in their financial obligations and have signed a 2014
membership contract) on the first Monday of October (October 7, 2013) with the deadline being the third Monday of the month (October 21,
2013). Please direct questions to Wendy Fischer, Executive Assistant, at (608) 254-7180, ext. 302 or [email protected].
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Staff Changes at the Bureau
It’s been a busy couple of months at the WDVCB and we’ve got some announcements to make.
After sending out well over 7 million pieces of mail and visitor guides on
behalf of the WDVCB, Karla Linn retired on Tuesday, September 3,
2013. As head honcho of the WDVCB mailroom for over 22 years, Karla
has seen the area’s evolution first-hand, from the number of guides sent
to the technology by which mail is processed today. We sincerely thank
Karla for her many years of service on behalf of the WDVCB and wish her,
and her husband Rob, many happy years traveling and enjoying
retirement life!
Jenifer Dobbs, the WDVCB’s Membership Liaison for the past four years,
has been promoted to Membership & Festivals Manager. Jenifer will
continue to be the all-things-membership contact for area businesses and
has had management and coordination of the WDVCB’s two annual
festivals, Autumn Harvest Fest (including Dells On Tap) and Automotion,
added to her plate. Our heartiest congratulations goes out to her! Jenifer
can be reached at (608) 254-7180, ext. 311, or [email protected].
Tammy Stephan has taken on the Information Technology department in addition to her duties as Director of Visitor Services. Her new title
is Director of Operations & Technology. Nichole Kocovsky's title is now Director of Finance & Administration, and she has added supervision
of the WDVCB festivals to her list of duties. She will continue to be the contact for all finance-related questions.
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Dells Area Development Planning Begins
Online survey gives everyone a chance to be heard
During last year’s annual planning meeting at the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Executive Committee took up discussion of
a topic not typically seen on the agenda. That topic was product development, with an emphasis on the city’s downtown district, and what it
would take to drive development of new tourism offerings rather than simply advertising what already exists. That initial discussion led to the
recent hiring of Roger Brooks, CEO of Roger Brooks International (RBI) and well known in international tourism circles as the go-to expert for
growing local tourism economies. Brooks and his team will spend the next six months preparing an exhaustive report for Wisconsin Dells
centered on tourism product development, with the report drawing from in-person visits, polls of visitors and residents, and input from the
newly formed Brand & Development Committee. He and his team will present their final recommendations at a public forum, tentatively
estimated for this winter.
According to Romy Snyder, executive director of the Bureau, the prevailing school of thought in destination marketing is for VCBs to help
manage the total visitor experience, which means taking a lead in product development. “Our goal is to bring more people here who will
spend more money while they’re here, which is entirely in keeping with the Bureau’s vision statement,” explained Snyder. “Everyone will
benefit from this approach, business owners and residents alike.”
Back in April, Brooks traveled to Wisconsin Dells for a day-long meeting hosted by the Bureau and with approximately 40 people in
attendance representing all walks of tourism. The discussion centered on the ingredients of a successful downtown, a topic about which
Brooks authored the book “Your Town: A Destination. The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism.” The group consensus was to contract
Brooks, with the cost to be covered by the Bureau.
To begin the project in earnest, Brooks suggested formation of a small Brand & Development Committee with members representing the
municipalities and the Bureau along with business owners representing a variety of types of businesses. Committee members include:
Wisconsin Dells Mayor Brian Landers and City Clerk Nancy Holzem; business owner Tom Diehl representing the Village of Lake Delton; Snyder
and the Bureau’s board president Jill Diehl; and downtown business owners Dan Gavinski, Jesse DeFosse, Kelli Trumble, Kevin Ricks and Justin
Draper.
The kick-off meeting with that committee was in early August, at which time Brooks offered his first-blush impressions of both the downtown
district and the community in general based on an intensive two-day tour he took of the area leading in to the meeting.
Brooks was quick to point out that his process is inclusive. “It’s just as important for residents to weigh in on this topic as it is to get the
opinions of visitors,” said Brooks. “We want people who live in the Dells area to think about the downtown as a place for them too.”
The plan Brooks is preparing will address the goals of making the downtown a stand-alone destination in its own right, while also making it the
central gathering spot for both residents and visitors, particularly during evening hours in peak seasons; increasing shoulder season visitation
by expanding offerings for niche markets like girls’ weekends, couples’ retreats, and higher-end culinary and cultural visitors; and encouraging
private sector development in the communities of Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton. Along with the poll of residents and visitors, Brooks and
his staff will conduct research specific to private sector development for downtown Wisconsin Dells and for other potential properties in the
Wisconsin Dells/Lake Delton areas. That research will include an analysis of visitor spending, market demographics, seasonal considerations,
lifestyle reports and retail inventory.
The final action plan will include recommendations on specific tourism products that should be developed, who would be charged with
implementation and a prioritized timeline, along with corresponding costs and suggestions on where the funds should come from.
Snyder explained that, with the proposal in hand, the committee will move into the execution phase, which typically lasts several years.
“That’s when the real work begins, to recruit businesses and drive product development,” said Snyder. “Perhaps it may even lead the
community to employ a tourism development and recruitment specialist.”
An online survey gives both residents and visitors alike the ability to chime in on what makes downtown Wisconsin Dells so special and what
might make it even more so. The survey is accessible until Monday, September 30 at bit.ly/wisdells .
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WDVCB Publishes 2012 Annual Report
The Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau’s 2012 Annual Report highlights the activities, initiatives and results of the Wisconsin
Dells/Lake Delton area marketing and public relations efforts conducted by the Visitor Bureau for the 2012 calendar year. A copy of the report
was recently distributed to the entire membership. If you have not seen a copy and would like to review the information, we encourage you
to click here.
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Fall & Winter Visitor Center Hours
The Downtown and Lake Delton Visitor Bureau Information Centers will begin fall and winter hours (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.), seven days a week, on
Monday, September 2, 2013. The Downtown Information Center will be open Wo-Zha-Wa weekend until 9 p.m. on Friday, September 13
and Saturday, September 14.
Please direct questions regarding the Information Center, or the Visitor Services Department to Lagena Bauernfeind at (608) 254-7180, ext.
321, [email protected] or Tammy Stephan at (608) 254-7180, ext. 348, [email protected].
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Wisconsin Dells Top Pick for Teens
Traveling with teens just got easier: readers of 10Best and USA TODAY have voted on the Best Destination for Teens, and Wisconsin Dells
has landed in the #1 spot. “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” obviously made a big splash with parents, nudging out Orlando, Chicago,
San Antonio and Gatlinburg, which finished in places 2-5. The original list of 20 nominees were chosen by an expert panel of editors and
contributors to 10Best and USA TODAY, including family travel experts, authors and mommy bloggers. After the nominees were selected, the
public had four weeks to vote, and all voting was done online at 10Best. The contest was promoted on USA TODAY, on social media and
across various Gannett media.
The 10 Best Destinations for Teens are as follows:
1. Wisconsin Dells, WI
2. Orlando, FL
3. Chicago, IL
4. San Antonio, TX
5. Gatlinburg, TN
6. Myrtle Beach, SC
7. Riviera Maya, Mexico
8. New York City, NY
9. Grand Teton National Park, WY
10. Oahu, HI
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Update Your Special Deals & Offers Today
The Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau is encouraging all members to review and/or create custom offers around the fall season
and send them to be posted, at no charge, on the Bureau's site under the "Deals & Offers" section.
Many couples and families are looking to sneak in a fall getaway and this section of the Bureau's site provides some great options. A link on
the home page of wisdells.com takes potential visitors directly to all of the member packages and deals.
Plan to participate now by simply clicking here (member log-in required) to link to the Packages & Deals solicitation form. To apply, complete
the agreement or contact Kelly Kienbaum at (608) 254-7180, ext. 340 or [email protected].
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Current Bureau Literature
At this time, the following Bureau marketing collateral is available to member businesses.
2013 Wisconsin Dells Vacation Guide®
2013 Attraction & Lodging Price Guide
2013 Autumn Harvest Fest Brochure
2013 - 2014 Festivals & Events Brochure
2013 Meetings & Conventions/Group Activities Planning Guide
Splash on Safety Card (with and without lifeguards)
Water Safety Public Service Announcement (PSA's)
Sun Safety Public Service Announcement (PSA's)
If you would like a quantity to share with your guests, materials may be picked up at the administrative entrance at 115 La Crosse Street, 9
a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. If you have questions, contact Amanda Rinaldi at (608) 254-7180, ext. 304 or [email protected].
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2014 Wisconsin Dells Vacation Guide® and Membership Agreement Deadlines
The Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau's combined 2014 Vacation Guide® and Membership Agreement was mailed to
Accommodation, Attraction, Campground, Restaurant, Shopping and Visitor Services Division members in July. A quick reminder to all
members, to receive a free listing and/or to purchase advertising space in the 2014 Wisconsin Dells Vacation Guide®, you must complete
your Vacation Guide and Membership Agreement by Wednesday, September 11, 2013.
Kelly Kienbaum and Jenifer Dobbs will be available to answer questions and help you complete your paperwork in the Bureau’s Board Room
on the following dates:
Thursday, September 5, 2013 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Deadline Date)
Please direct questions on the Vacation Guide to Kelly Kienbaum at (608) 254-7180, ext. 340 or [email protected] or for WDVCB
membership questions contact Jenifer Dobbs at (608) 254-7180, ext. 311 or [email protected].
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Meeting Update
Click here (member log-in required) to read minutes from past Bureau meetings and to view the schedule of upcoming Bureau meetings
under the Meetings & Minutes section.
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Membership Update
Our warmest welcome goes out to our newest 2013 WDVCB members:
Lake Delton Dairy Queen (Restaurant)
Otto's Supper Club (Restaurant)
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Mark Your Calendar…
Solicitation Deadline
September 11 , 2013 (Wednesday) - 2014 Membership Application/Vacation Guide Contracts
The following solicitations below are ongoing and can be submitted at any time:
Employment Opportunity Guide
wisdells.com
Gift Card Program
Classic Wisconsin Dells
Calendar of Events Listings
Leisure Inquiry Leads
Packages & Deals Web Site Incentive
Click here (member log-in required) to view all solicitations/programs.
Meetings
September 3, 2013 (Tuesday) - Marketing Committee Meeting from 9 - 9:50 a.m.
September 4, 2013 (Wednesday) - Campground Division Meeting from 10 - 11 a.m.
September 10, 2013 (Tuesday) - Meeting & Convention Committee Meeting from 9 - 10 a.m.
September 11, 2013 (Wednesday) - Accommodation Division Meeting from 9 - 10 a.m.
September 17, 2013 (Tuesday) - Festivals Board of Directors Meeting from 3 - 3:45 p.m.
September 17, 2013 (Tuesday) - Board of Directors Meeting from 4 - 5 p.m
October 1, 2013 (Tuesday) - Marketing Committee Meeting from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
October 2, 2013 (Wednesday) - Campground Division Meeting from 10 - 11 a.m.
October 9, 2013 (Wednesday) - Meeting & Convention Committee Meeting from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
All meetings are held at the WDVCB in the Board Room unless otherwise noted.
Events
September 13 - 15, 2013 (Fri-Sun) - Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival in Downtown Wisconsin Dells
September 18 - 26, 2013 - Feast of the Tabernacles - hosted by Living Church of God and the United Church of God
October 19, 2013 (Saturday) - Dells On Tap in Downtown Wisconsin Dells
October 19 - 20, 2013 (Saturday & Sunday) - 2013 Autumn Harvest Fest in Downtown Wisconsin Dells
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August Events Recap
August 7-8, 2013 the WDVCB participated in the Fire Starter Brands Ohio Sales Mission. This sales mission included appointments with nine
companies in the motor coach industry. These tour operators represented youth and senior markets as well as retail and preformed groups.
Connect Marketplace and Connect Sports co-located in Milwaukee August 23-25, 2013. The WDVCB had 26 meeting & convention
appointments and 23 sports appointments. Of the 1,500 attendees, approximately 500 were meeting professionals and tournament rights
holders. The events included one-on-one appointments, education and networking events. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism was a
Platinum level sponsor of this event.
For more information on Meeting Professionals International, please contact Tifani Jones at (608) 254-7180, ext. 345 or [email protected].
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Harley Owners Group Announces Rally Return
The Wisconsin Harley Owners Group (HOG) Rally will return to Wisconsin Dells June 19-22, 2014. Over 3,500 people are expected to attend.
The WDVCB and Ho-Chunk Hotel & Convention Center attended this year’s Wisconsin HOG Rally in Minocqua as part of the promotion to
attract participation in the 2014 event. Estimated economic impact is $1.5 million.
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Upcoming Tradeshows & Events:
Meeting Professionals Int'l - WI Chapter Awards Gala (Madison, WI) - September 5, 2013
S.P.O.R.T.S. - The Relationship Conference (Daytona Beach, FL) - September 9-12, 2013
Wisconsin Society of Association Executives Innovation Summit (Milwaukee, WI) - September 11-12, 2013
Small Market Meetings (Sioux Falls, SD) - October 6-8, 2013
National Association of Sports Commissions Market Segment Meetings & USOC SportsLink (Colorado Springs, CO) - October 6-10,
2013
Meeting Professionals Int'l - WI Chapter (Stevens Point, WI) - October 17, 2013
Rejuvenate Marketplace (Daytona Beach, FL) - October 28-31, 2013
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Autumn Harvest Fest is October 19 & 20, 2013
Plus Dells On Tap Brews Up Fun On Saturday
The 16th Annual Wisconsin Dells Autumn Harvest Fest and Dells On Tap micro-brew tasting will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 19
& 20, 2013.
Autumn Harvest Fest, which takes place on La Crosse Street in the heart of downtown Wisconsin Dells, has everything you'd want in a good
two-day fall get-together - Arts & Crafts Marketplace, homemade goodies, scarecrow stuffing contest, pumpkin decorating, kids' craft corner
and lots of great live entertainment.
For the grown-ups, Dells On Tap features a variety of regional micro-brewers with special offerings. Again this year, 250 VIP admissions will
receive exclusive access to the Dells On Tap brewers and tastings from noon until 1 p.m. For more information and to purchase Dells On Tap
tickets visit wisdells.com/ahf.
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Upcoming September Events
Click here to view upcoming September events.
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