Your Volunteer Digest - May 2023

Get Connected Icon
May 14, 2023
by Tony Snell

We are celebrating 25 years!

"All volunteers are special people, but I have a special place in my heart for those who volunteer to share their love of the city we call home. I'm so grateful for your service and selflessness."  -Peggy Williams Smith

During the 40th anniversary of National Travel & Tourism Week, we joyfully commemorated the 25th anniversary of our Volunteer Program. Dozens of our volunteers, some of whom have donated their time to VISIT Milwaukee since the program's start, also celebrated 25 years of service. We extend our sincerest congratulations to all who have achieved significant milestones.

To each one of our volunteers, we want you to know that your unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions are deeply appreciated and respected. Your dedication serves as a beacon of inspiration to us all. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you!

Check out the wonderful event photos taken by Alex Zimdars at the Harley-Davidson Museum Motor Restaurant here.

Volunteer Program Updates

  • Next time you share with visitors, here are 23 things they may not know about the "Good Land."
  • Another great item to share. We've added electric vehicle charging station resources to our transportation page.
  • As we continue to track and report our impact, we kindly request that you complete the essential tic sheets and referral forms at our touchpoints, including at the airport and convention center during your shifts. These forms allow us to document the number of visitors we encounter and the connections we facilitate with our partners. They also provide valuable data for our reporting and funding sources, enabling us to secure the necessary support for our outreach.
  • As you may have noticed, the 2023 Visitor Guide features two distinct covers. While the content inside remains the same, one cover showcases people enjoying Bradford Beach, while the other highlights the vibrant and festively lit Night Market. To ensure clarity for our visitors, we ask that you display only one cover at a time on tables or desks. This will prevent confusion among visitors who mistakenly believe the guide offers different options depending on the cover. In addition, by displaying only one cover, we can provide a consistent and cohesive experience for our visitors.
  • Please consider all the upcoming volunteer needs and events here.

Community Highlights

  • The Trade, an Autograph Collection Hotel in the Deer District, opens this week. Inspired by the city's pioneering past and a local culture that is forever moving forward, The Trade pays homage to the hardworking history and modern spirit of today's Milwaukee. With 207 rooms, several amazing food and beverage options, a rooftop restaurant, Il Cervo, and well-appointed and ample meeting space, this new hotel is certain to become a destination that draws visitors from around the country.
  • Also, last week, the Wisconsin Center District commemorated the "topping off" of the Baird Center. This expansion is a game changer for our city and, as I said in my remarks, we're already seeing it pay dividends in meetings business.
  • We launched our latest collaboration with Milwaukee Bucks Sixth Man Bobby Portis. For this video, which we will use in both leisure and meetings-focused campaigns, Bobby takes viewers to some of his favorite places in Milwaukee, sampling the sights, sounds (and smells!) all along the way. I hope you'll share this video with your networks as a reminder of how sports tourism benefits Milwaukee year-round. Watch here.
  • Congratulations! As the Milwaukee Film Festival wrapped up its 14th showing, they realized a massive year-over-year increase in attendance for a total in-person cinema attendance of 29,718.
  • A month from now ART 64 will return to the streets of Wauwatosa! If your memory is hazy, ART 64 is a two-day bracket-style tournament taking place in The Village of Wauwatosa, highlighting diverse nationwide artists and local businesses. In four rounds, artists are paired to go head-to-head and given 60 minutes to create a work of art on a predetermined theme on canvas, and everyone leaves as a winner.

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

  • IPC Association Connecting Electronics Industries - 2023 WHMA Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo & IPC Summer Committee Meeting, May 16-18, estimated 2,500+ attendees, Wisconsin Center
  • American Public Health Association - National Violent Death Reporting System Meeting, May 15-18, estimated 500 attendees, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
  • Wispact Annual NPA Conference, May 17-19, estimated 150 attendees, The Pfister Hotel
  • Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball Club - 2023 Grand Slam Tournament, May 20-21, estimated 7,000 attendees, Wisconsin Center
  • 2023 Maker Festival, May 25-27, estimated 2,080 attendees, Wisconsin Center
  • Molson Coors - 2023 Finance Town Hall, May 23-25, estimated 460 attendees, The Pfister Hotel 

Upcoming Cruises

  • Viking Octantis -- Arrival: Thursday, May 18; Departure: Friday, May 19

Media Highlights

Welcome, New Partners!

Partner Wins

Visitors love our volunteers, and so does Bobby! 

Thank you!