See video, courtesy of the Spooner Advocate, of the JEM Grant check presentation and interviews with the NBF Promoters by clicking here!!
NORTHWOODS BLUES FESTIVAL RECEIVES $20,000 TOURISM MARKETING GRANT
Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett presented Spooner Area Chamber with grant
SPOONER, Wis. (April 16, 2013) – The Northwoods Blues Festival will have a marketing boost with the help of a $20,000 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant from the Department of Tourism, presented by Secretary Stephanie Klett. The festival, May 25–26, 2013, is a partnership between the Heartwood Conference Center in Trego and the Spooner Area Chamber of Commerce and is expected to draw 2,000 attendees and generate an economic impact of $162,800 from traveler spending at area hotels, restaurants and stores.
“The Northwoods Blues Festival is a fantastic way to kick off the summer and showcase the beauty of the Spooner area,” said Secretary Klett. “The increased marketing efforts will help the festival draw a larger crowd to the area and create a positive economic impact in the community.”
This year the festival will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26 and established as an annual kick off to the summer in the Spooner area. The festival features two days of live music of local and nationally acclaimed blues musicians. This year, Joe Louis Walker, Ana Popovic, Kenny Neal, and Chris Beard will headline the festival, with others providing soulful music throughout the day. There will also be onsite parking and camping available. Funds provided by the JEM grant will help organizers execute an integrated marketing plan that reaches potential attendees through a number of media including newspaper, online and radio advertising in Minnesota and throughout Wisconsin.
In fiscal 2012, the Department funded 50 Joint Effort Marketing projects, awarding a total of over $1.1 million dollars. Visitor expenditures driven by the marketing from these projects will exceed $29 million.
JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for the promotion of Wisconsin 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 year until projects become self-sustaining. For information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit http://industry.travelwisconsin.com.
The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the state as the Midwest’s premier travel destination for fun. By executing industry-leading marketing programs, providing reliable travel information and establishing strategic partnerships, we will play a significant role in delivering exceptional customer service and generating greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler information can be found at: www.travelwisconsin.com.