VISIT Milwaukee Update

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Mar 16, 2022
by Tony Snell

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The road to the NCAA Final Four is coming through Milwaukee! The first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament are taking place at Fiserv Forum and they will bring in an estimated economic impact of over $6.5 million. Plus, we have the first of three weekends of the Badger Region Volleyball tournament at the Wisconsin Center. Our team is so proud to have secured these events with the help of our partners and it will be thrilling to see the action in person. As early as Wednesday, the NCAA will draw over 18,000 attendees plus other fans and visitors who just want to be in the city where the action is taking place. The first NCAA matchup of Purdue vs. Yale kicks off at 1 p.m. on Friday. Please see HERE for game and practice times. Starting on Friday, Badger Region will bring another 7,000 athletes and their families to Milwaukee. Both groups will have thousands of people eating, drinking, shopping, and seeing all that Milwaukee has to offer. Be sure to be prepared for large groups at your establishments.   

Due to the heavy influx of visitors, the VISIT Milwaukee team will be out and about all weekend welcoming guests arriving at Mitchell International Airport and staffing information booths at downtown hotels. Our marketing and communications team will be using social media to connect with fans and drive them to area businesses (and please keep an eye on our TikTok for a few special guest appearances in the run-up to Friday's play). We'll also be promoting the Brew City Beer Pass, which is a great way for NCAA fans (and those toasting St. Patrick) to get BOGO brews at 28 local breweries.

Exciting News!

In exciting General Mitchell International Airport news, JetBlue will start nonstop service from MKE to both Boston and New York-JFK on March 27. JetBlue will be very attractive to business and leisure travelers, as it is on brand new 140-seat Airbus A220 aircraft, with wider seats, bigger overhead bins and the latest in-flight tech. This is a significant air service addition for our community because:

  • The Airport's economic impact study shows that every daily mainline flight adds $20+ million annually to the local and state economy.
  • This new JetBlue service will bring in $40+ million annually in new impact.
  • Airlines add flights where passengers board flights, so the success and growth of JetBlue and other airlines is in the hands of Milwaukee air travelers.

Incoming Groups
Groups booked by VISIT Milwaukee in town in the coming week. To see all incoming groups for the quarter click here.

  • NCAA - DI Men's Basketball Championship, March 18-20, estimated attendance 18,000+
  • Badger Region Volleyball Association - 2022 Badger Region Championships - Week 1, March 18-20, estimated attendance 7,000
  • Badger Bay Management Company - WAO 2022 WI Eye MD Symposium, March 18-19, estimated attendance 100
  • Badger Region Volleyball Association - 2022 Badger Region Championships - Week 2, March 25-27, estimated attendance 7,000
  • FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology - 2022 Annual Wisconsin Regional Robotics Competition, March 22-26, estimated attendance 800
  • Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center - 2022 WI Masters State Meet, March 23, estimated attendance 300
  • Badger Region Volleyball Association - 2022 Badger Region Championships - Week 3, April 1-April 3, estimated attendance 6,000

Welcome New Partners
Please welcome new or returning partners to the VISIT Milwaukee team!

Partner Updates
Exciting news from our partner businesses.

  • Hold onto your steins, because South Shore Terrace beer garden opens Thursday at 4 p.m.!
  • In other exciting openings, Punch Bowl Social officially reopens Wednesday at 4 p.m.
  • Renaissance Theaterworks' production of Actually opened this past weekend and runs through April 3.
  • Beyond Monet is coming to the Wisconsin Center this fall! Tickets and show dates TBA.
  • Vote for Milwaukee's Riverwalk and the Milwaukee River as the best urban kayaking spot in USA Today's 2022 Public Spaces Readers' Choice awards.
  • PrideFest is officially returning June 2-4 at Henry Maier Festival Park!

Media Highlights from the Previous Week 

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