TRAVELERS SPEND $9 BILLION IN WACVB MEMBER DESTINATIONS DURING 2007

In 2007, WACVB members helped to generate an estimated $9 billion in traveler expenditures in the 30 Wisconsin counties where they are located. According to the WI Dept. of Tourism's recently released traveler expenditure report, the $9 billion is 70% of the overall traveler spending made in Wisconsin last year.

WACVB members also played an important role in the $1.4 billion generated by travelers attending meetings and conventions in the state. 2007 meeting and convention spending in the state was up 6% from 2006 while overall traveler spending was down less than 1%. "WACVB is pleased that there was growth in meetings and convention spending last year," WACVB Executive Director Julia Hertel said. "Many destinations have invested a great deal in their meetings and convention product as well as their marketing efforts, and it continues to to pay off." WACVB partners with the WIsconsin Deparmtent of Tourism in promoting Wisconsin as a meetings and convention destination through the Think Wisconsin marketing campaign.

MEMBERS GAIN CERTIFIED DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION STATUS
Visit Beloit became the latest destination marketing organization to be awarded WACVB's Certified Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) status. Organizations that have already received the certification are Wisconsin Dells VCB, Greater Madison CVB, La Crosse Area CVB,Janesville CVB, Fox Cities CVB, Washington County CVB, Racine county CVB, Chippewa Valley CVB, Oshkosh CVB, Manitowoc VCB, Brookfield CVB, Greater Green Bay CVB, Hayward Lakes VCB, Bayfield Chamber,Wisconsin Rapids CVB and Visit Milwaukee. WACVB awards the certification to DMOs that meet a set of stringent destination marketing, organization, financial and personnel standards.