GREENLIFEXPO EVENT RECEIVES TOURISM MARKETING GRANT!

Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett presents grant to Black River Falls tourism pa rtners BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (April 23, 2012) A green event in Black River Falls will have increased marketing power with the help of a $2,500 Joint Effort Marketing grant from the Department of Tourism, presented by Secretary Stephanie Klett. T he GreenLifeXpo, organized by the Jackson County UW-Extension Community Partner Advisory Group members and in its second year, is expected to generate an econom ic impact of $54,090 from traveler spending at area hotels, restaurants and stor es. The first year of the event resulted in an $11,606 return on investment. Travelers are looking to support sustainable businesses, making the GreenLifeXpo an outstanding resource to increase green living in Black River Falls and surrou nding communities, said Secretary Klett. This event complements our own Travel Gree n Wisconsin initiative and our mission to promote green travel in addition to cr eating a positive economic impact in the community. The two-day festival, August 24-25, focuses on a variety of green topics includi ng renewable and alternative energy, conservation, recycling, sustainable living as well as opportunities for youth. Event organizers anticipate visitors from a 100-150 mile radius to participate in workshops, presentations, tours and marke tplace exhibitions. The GreenLifeXpo will offer several initiatives that involve the areas local youth through the Jackson County 4-H and Black River Area Green School in the event. In fiscal 2011, the Department funded 53 Joint Effort Marketing projects, awardi ng a total of nearly $1.2 million dollars. Visitor expenditures driven by the ma rketing from these projects will exceed $20 million. Funds provided by the JEM grant will help organizers execute an integrated marke ting plan that reaches potential attendees through a number media including news paper, online and radio advertising, promotional posters and development of an e vent website. GreenLifeXpo is very proud to be a recipient of the JEM grant two years in a row, said Linda Heller, GreenLifeXpo Chairman. We were very impressed with the volume of help received from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism as a result of the gra nt. We are very excited to continue to grow the GreenLifeXpo and keep building a nd promoting sustainability in our area. JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for the promotion of W isconsin tourism events and destinations. The state can fund up to 75 percent of a project s first year advertising and marketing costs and provides support for second and third year projects, but with decreasing amounts for funding each ye ar until projects become self-sustaining. For information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit http://industry.travelwisconsin.com.