For Immediate Release

Walworth County Participates in Governor's Conference on Tourism
Walworth County Visitors Bureau Staff Member Nominated for Tourism Award

Elkhorn, Wis. – March 29, 2010 – The staff of the Walworth County Visitors Bureau (WCVB) and the Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce learned strategies to promote area tourism in the current economy at the Wisconsin’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism (WIGCOT) in Milwaukee on March 14-16, 2010. The group had an opportunity to network with state tourism officials and learn first hand what is being done at the state level to assist local visitor bureaus and chambers to maximize tourism opportunities and income.

New this year at the conference was the Governor’s Tourism Awards. One of the awards, the Rising Star Award, recognizes an individual who has shown leadership, commitment and a passion for Wisconsin’s tourism industry. Tammy Dunn, Group Services Manager at the Walworth County Visitors Bureau, was nominated because of her accomplishments in advancing tourism in the county in just a little over a year in her position.

Dunn developed the group services program for Walworth County, planning bus tour initiatives that have resulted in increased tourism revenue in the area. She has also been instrumental in facilitating regional partnership opportunities in the area with Chamber of Commerce and CVB leaders from not only Walworth County, but neighboring counties to share ideas and resources.

Dunn developed a unique partnership with one of the Milwaukee summer festival groups, German Fest, who has named Walworth County as their 2010 Honor County. The Walworth County Visitors Bureau will be located in a highly-trafficked pavilion area at the Summerfest grounds for 4 days in July 2010 and be exposed to a group of potential tourists of 125,000 or more.

The Walworth County Visitors’ Bureau (WCVB), located in Elkhorn, Wis., is dedicated to promoting tourism throughout Walworth County. One of the County’s more well-known destinations, Lake Geneva, was named among the 2009 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. The Bureau is located in a historic building featuring antiques and vintage items, where visitors can browse through area travel literature and enjoy WIFI and a coffee bar. For additional information, contact the WCVB at (262) 723-3980 or visit its website at www.VisitWalworthCounty.com.

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Photo caption left to right: Tammy Dunn, Group Services Manager, Walworth County Visitors Bureau; Kelli Trumble, Secretary of Tourism, State of Wisconsin; Kathleen Seeberg, Executive Director, Walworth County Visitors Bureau; Chris Clapper, Director, Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce.

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Contacts:

Name: Kathleen Seeberg
Company: Walworth County Visitors Bureau
Phone: 262-723-3980
Email: kathy@visitwalworthcounty.com

Name: Marilyn McGair
Company: Marketing Images
Phone: (262) 522-4745
Email: marilyn@marketingimages.com