Department of Tourism Seeks Advisory Committee Members

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism (WDT) has a refreshed advisory-committee structure. Designed to support its 2019-21 Strategic Plan, the new structure aims to regularly welcome new voices, engage future tourism-industry leaders, provide greater transparency and address diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of its work.

In addition to the refresh, WDT has developed the Outdoor Recreation and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committees, bringing the total number of advisory committees – described below – to seven.  

The Marketing Committee is a sounding board for WDT’s brand and marketing campaigns. Its involvement ensures that the stated strategies are reflected in the department’s campaigns and technical rigor is maintained.

WDT administers a $1.13 million joint-effort marketing (JEM) grant program annually, which provides partnership funding to help Wisconsin nonprofits promote tourism in their area. The JEM Grant Committee reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations.

WDT also administers grants to nonprofit tourism organizations, municipalities and Native American tribes that operate tourist information centers. The Tourism Information Center Committee reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations.

The Meetings and Conventions Committee provides the specialized knowledge and tools necessary to advance WDT’s strategic objectives within the meetings and conventions sector.

Similarly, the Sports Marketing Committee works within the sports marketing sector to advance WDT’s strategic objectives through collaboration and partnership initiatives. 

The Outdoor Recreation Committee guides and supports WDT’s strategic objectives in the outdoor-recreation sector to ensure the success of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. 

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee advises on efforts to “foster positive travel experiences for all” and will create initiatives to ensure that WDT is taking the lead in developing a Wisconsin travel experience that welcomes everyone.

A member of the Governor’s Council on Tourism will chair each committee, which will also include at-large members appointed by the secretary. Those interested in serving should submit a cover letter stating your interest in a specific committee, résumé and references to [email protected].To learn more about the Governor’s Council on Tourism or the new committees, visit industry.travelwisconsin.com.