Dear Volunteers,
I wanted to start today's email by addressing the increase in violent attacks against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. These are a heartbreaking reminder of the racism and injustice that this community faces far too often but isn't discussed often enough. In fact, the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of Wisconsin reports that more than 3,800 hate incidents have been committed against the AAPI community just since the pandemic began. Today we're saying loud and clear: from ethnic "jokes" to outright racism, we must #StopAsianHate in all its forms. I hope you'll join VISIT Milwaukee in using your voice to do the same.
I hope you had a great weekend. I'm looking forward to the final week of Badger Region Volleyball in the Wisconsin Center. I do hope our partners have seen an increase in business with the tournaments and the relaxed orders from the health department. Speaking of the health department…
Clarifications about Milwaukee Health Department's Phase 6 Health Order
We sought clarification about the following items in the new health order.
Gatherings:
- Buffets and family-style meals are allowed.
- Dance floors are allowed. You MUST wear a mask while dancing.
- You can stand at a cocktail hour, but if you move from one spot to another, a mask must be worn.
Restaurants:
- Buffets and family-style meals are allowed.
- Self-service beverage stations are allowed.
- Dance floors are allowed. You MUST wear a mask while dancing.
- You can stand at a cocktail hour, but if you move from one spot to another, a mask must be worn.
New Safety Video
The marketing team has been working hard to produce a video that showcases to meeting planners all that Milwaukee's hospitality community is doing to ensure a safe visitor and attendee experience, and we're so proud of what they've produced. I invite you to watch the video here. A huge thanks to those who made a special appearance in the video: Wisconsin Center CEO Marty Brooks, Medical College of Wisconsin's President & CEO Dr. John Raymond, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino CEO and General Manager Rodney Ferguson, Junior Volleyball Association's Director of Events Steve Bailey, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport's Director Brian Dranzik, Lakefront Brewery's Onsite Business Developer Dylan Mazurkiewicz, our own Vice President of Sales Leslie Johnson, and last but certainly not least, our amazing narrator David Caruso of Dynamic Events by David Caruso.
Thanks also to the Pfister Hotel and Potawatomi Hotel & Casino for supplying us with additional footage to round out this important marketing tool.
Milwaukee Hotel Month
There's still plenty of time to take advantage of the great rates that are part of Milwaukee Hotel Month! Until the end of the month you can take advantage of special rates starting at $75 at over 40 local hotels. So far, over 25,000 people have visited the Hotel Month page and 3,560 have been referred to hotels to book a room.
2021 Group Tour Guide Now Available
Let's start with a huge round of applause for Lindsey McKee. She has really taken this segment of our business to a whole new level. The Group Tour Guide is a must-have resource for tour operators and travelers filled with sample Milwaukee itineraries and tips on bringing groups to the region. The guide is available on here for download, provided via link in all Group Tour email campaigns, and provided personally to group tour operators at tradeshows that VISIT Milwaukee attends.
VISIT Milwaukee offered complimentary ads in this year's guide due to the pandemic, resulting in over 60 partner ads in the publication. Thank you again to Communications and Group Tour Manager Lindsey McKee for her vision and written content for this re-imagined guide, and to Graphic Designer Alex Zimdars for executing that vision in her design as well as creating ads for partners who needed design assistance.
The Latest from Longwoods International on Traveler Sentiment
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 87% now have travel plans in the next six months, the highest level since early March 2020. Half of travelers currently feel comfortable traveling outside their communities and a little more than half support opening their communities to visitors, both the highest levels since last May. Only a third of travelers now say that COVID-19 will greatly impact their decision to travel in the next six months, the lowest level in a year.
Volunteer at USA Triathlon's Age Group National Championships
Sports Milwaukee is looking for more volunteers to help produce one of the biggest and most exciting multisport events in the country! USA Triathlon's largest and longest-running national championship event returns to Milwaukee's lakefront in August, with the most accomplished amateur triathletes in the nation set to compete for national titles and world championship berths on August 7-8 as part of the 2021 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. This is an exciting opportunity to support our community and make the USA Triathlon National Championships a huge success. Sign up today here.
Partner Updates
- Plum Media is teaming up with Milwaukee's own John McGivern to produce a new TV show. John McGivern's Main Streets will take people on a tour of the upper Midwest - stopping at towns in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. One of his first episodes will include telling the story of Milwaukee's Harbor District and it's bright and booming future.
- Advocate Aurora Health has office chairs available for donation for any interested businesses. If you have a need, let us know and we will connect you with the information you need to secure them.
- Kind Oasis + Friends is partnering with Support Local MKE with a Spring Pop Up to celebrate Milwaukee creators and to support local. The event is on Saturday, March 27th, from 10:30am to 5pm.
- Marcus Center for the Performing Arts' Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration is virtual this year and will focus on educating the community about the legacy of César E. Chávez, an unselfish advocate of social justice and respect for human dignity.
- Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 has embarked on a culinary tour of Italy's regions with "Un Viaggio in Italia" ("Tour of Italy") series conceived by two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Bartolotta and Executive Chef Juan Urbieta. The "tasting tour" of Italy continues, featuring Italy's Lombardia (Milano) region, which started on March 18. Learn more here.
Friday Webinar
On Friday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m., David Muhammad, Deputy Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, will present on the life and impact Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers Movement in the Midwest through the migrant experience. Drawing from his own family history of involvement with the Farmworker Movement and the significance of the Wisconsin Latino community in that struggle, David will point to how this chapter in American history can help Milwaukee realize its potential as a destination of choice for diverse populations.
Topics will include:
- The role of Latinos in Milwaukee's social justice movements
- The connection between cities like Crystal City, Texas and Milwaukee
- The growth of Milwaukee's Latino community through waves of immigration and their contributions to the region
- How Milwaukee's thriving Southside is indicative of the city's resurgence
You can register here.
Warmly,
Peggy
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Peggy Williams-Smith VISIT Milwaukee President & CEO (414) 287-4233 pwilliamssmith@milwaukee.org |
