Ashland & Bayfield Celebrate National Tourism Week
2018 visitor guide Now available
bayfield.org
Mom & Pops that make their living and raise their families here. Several are in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations of ownership.
by Mary McPhetridge Executive Director Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism is the freshest type of economic development. Fresh money from out of town travelers is distributed throughout our communities each time we encounter a visitor. Think about all of the expenses you incur when you travel, from gasoline to food, to souvenirs, to lodging. All of those transactions are comprised from fresh dollars outside of our area. Tourists also pay an additional lodging tax (known as room tax, lodging tax, or bed tax). Most municipalities in the country charge this type of tax and the proceeds are sent to the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), either the local chamber or visitor’s bureau to be used to promote tourism. The municipality also receives a portion to use as they wish. In Ashland, the city uses their portion for waterfront development. Tourism also creates jobs, additional tax revenue from sales tax, and additional property & real estate taxes. In Ashland County, our economic base is very diverse. Sectors run the gamut from manufacturing, timber, logging, medical, higher education, professional services, and tourism. Ashland County communities complement each other throughout the four seasons from Waterfalls in southern Ashland County open all year, to the beauty of Madeline Island in all its’ splendor in the warmer months. Throughout Ashland County we see local entrepreneurs and
We are so excited to see the new construction of the Cobblestone Hotel on Historic Main Street opening this fall. All around us we see renovations occurring in our local properties from adding guest rooms to renovating existing properties with new carpet, furniture, and fixtures. Tourism has grown exponentially in the last 10 years with a stronger than ever market in the fall. Our fall occupancy has grown leaps and bounds because of the major events including the Red Clay Classic, Bayfield Apple Festival, and the Memorial Medical Center Half & Full Marathons and Cruisin the Corridor. The fall color travelers have also emerged and increased significantly in the last decade. We also see more baby boomers traveling mid-week in the fall, which greatly helps our retail industry. The murals in Ashland County have created destinations for history and art lovers alike. Madeline Island now has 2 murals and tiny Marengo has 3 murals. The murals offer a “non- weather-dependent” experience that all age groups can enjoy. The Chambers and Tourism promoters in Ashland County have a beautiful area to promote with all sorts of recreational opportunities and attractions from Big Top Chautauqua, Casinos, Natural Wonders, World Class Smallmouth Bass fishing on Chequamegon Bay and an excellent inventory of major events. Vacationing and spending time with Friends and Family is a healthy activity to participate in and we welcome visitors all year long from all over the country and Canada.
of dollars in direct revenue, as well as quality jobs and tax revenue for the state.
by David Eades Executive Director Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau The first references that I can find in a newspaper for the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce is from the 1920’s. Our actual birthdate seems to have been lost to history, but the mission has not. Bayfield has served as home to countless businesses and a tourist destination since its founding in 1856. Although it may have been the stands of white pine, the plentiful fish from the big lake, or the brownstone that brought men here to get rich, they soon realized what the Anishinaabe have known for hundreds of years; that Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands sustains life far beyond what simply can be cut down or extracted from the landscape for money. The natural beauty, clean water, and clean air of Bayfield quickly became known as place to vacation with family and friends and a place to rest, rejuvenate, and discover nature all over again. The Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau, as it is now known, values and promotes the special allure of Bayfield with regards to its social, cultural, environmental and architectural history. Our mission is to share this magical place with the rest of world while maintaining the special image, traditions, and culture of the community. As a destination marketing organization, we provide the foundation to a thriving tourism sector that generates millions
Bayfield is the “Gateway to the Apostle Islands.” These 22 islands stretch over 70,000 acres of Lake Superior to form an archipelago known worldwide for premier sailing and fishing. Twenty one of these islands make up the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and contain more lighthouses than any other national park. The 22nd, and largest of the islands, Madeline Island, supports a flourishing community known for its artists, white sand beaches, and local flavor. Lake Superior and the Islands also protect the Bayfield mainland from the harsh winds and snow of winter, providing it with the perfect climate for growing berries and apples, making Bayfield the “Berry Capital of Wisconsin.” Bayfield boasts over 15 orchards and berry farms that produce a variety of fresh berries and fruit including raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, currants, cherries, gooseberries, juneberries, blackberries, apples, and the list goes on and on. Bayfield’s unique climate is currently home to over 50 different apple varieties that are celebrated at the annual Bayfield Apple Festival, now in its 55th year in 2018. Along with the orchards, Bayfield has 4 wineries and a distillery using local fruits for their wines, meads and other tasty libations. You can also sample these fruits and berries as ingredients at many of the restaurants. The Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau is proud to have over 400 members help us fulfill the “Bayfield Experience” to over 1.5 million visitors every year with a mix of businesses including; adventure, orchards, retail, lodging, restaurants, nonprofits, and professional services. With a mix of membership dues, room tax dollars, and event income, the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau maintains a full-time staff of 3-4 individuals, and another 3-4 part-time employees in the summer, with a budget of $600,000. We are both honored and blessed to be able to promote this destination.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM Ashland County Visitor Spending In millions
State and Local Taxes Generated
Business Sales
In millions
In millions
In millions
2011
44.00
2011
11.20
2012
54.41
2012
11.45
4.20
2013
47.40
2013
11.70
2014
4.40
2014
50.08
2014
12.30
34.50
2015
4.50
2015
52.20
2015
13.00
2016
34.90
2016
4.50
2016
53.30
2016
13.30
2017
35.10
2017
4.50
2017
54.00
2017
13.10
2011
29.30
2011
2012
30.60
2012
2013
31.40
2013
2014
33.90
2015
2017 visitor spending in Ashland County was up over 20% since 2011. 2011 - 29.30 million 2012 - 30.60 million 2013 - 31.40 million 2014 - 33.90 million 2015 - 34.50 million 2016 - 34.90 million 2017 - 35.10 million
4.10
Business Wages
4.09
2017 state and local tax revenue generated in Ashland County through tourism spending increased by 10% since 2011. 2011 - 4.10 million 2012 - 4.09 million 2013 - 4.20 million 2014 - 4.40 million 2015 - 4.50 million 2016 - 4.50 million 2017 - 4.50 million
2017 business sales in Ashland County were up over 23% since 2011.
2017 business wages in Ashland County were up over 17% since 2011.
2011 - 44.00 million 2012 - 54.41 million 2013 - 47.40 million 2014 - 50.08 million 2015 - 52.20 million 2016 - 53.30 million 2017 - 54.00 million
2011 - 11.20 million 2012 - 11.45 million 2013 - 11.70 million 2014 - 12.30 million 2015 - 13.00 million 2016 - 13.30 million 2017 - 13.10 million
Bayfield County Visitor Spending In millions
State and Local Taxes Generated
Business Sales
In millions
Business Wages
In millions
In millions
2011
38.50
2011
5.20
2011
51.30
2011
9.80
2012
40.12
2012
5.34
2012
53.44
2012
10.13
2013
40.70
2013
5.30
2013
54.80
2013
10.20
2014
42.40
2014
5.50
2014
57.20
2014
10.40
2015
45.20
2015
5.80
2015
60.70
2015
11.20
2016
46.50
2016
5.90
2016
62.60
2016
11.60
2017
47.70
2017
2017
64.30
2017
11.50
2017 visitor spending in Bayfield County was up over 24% since 2011. 2011 - $38.50 million 2012 - $40.12 million 2013 - $40.70 million 2014 - $42.40 million 2015 - $45.20 million 2016 - $46.50 million 2017 - $47.70 million
6.00
2017 state and local tax revenue generated in Bayfield County through tourism spending increased by 15% since 2011. 2011 - $5.20 million 2012 - $5.34 million 2013 - $5.30 million 2014 - $5.50 million 2015 - $5.80 million 2016 - $5.90 million 2017 - $6.00 million
2017 business sales in Bayfield County were up over 25% since 2011.
2017 business wages in Bayfield County were up over 17% since 2011.
2011 - $51.30 million 2012 - $53.44 million 2013 - $54.80 million 2014 - $57.20 million 2015 - $60.70 million 2016 - $62.60 million 2017 - $64.30 million
2011 - $9.80 million 2012 - $10.13 million 2013 - $10.20 million 2014 - $10.40 million 2015 - $11.20 million 2016 - $11.60 million 2017 - $11.50 million
Ashland & Bayfield Counties Tourism Partners Ashland - The Heart of Chequamegon Bay The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce was incorporated on March 3rd, 1920. The Chamber’s mission; We Sell Ashland.. It is simple, but so complex!! Our revenue streams include Tourism Room Tax, Event Revenue, and Membership revenue. In addition, The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce administers the Ashland County Tourism budget. We create a countywide visitor guide that includes the communities of Ashland, Bad River, Butternut, Clam Lake, Glidden, Marengo/Sanborn, Madeline Island, and Mellen. The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce has three main priorities; • Tourism Promotion & Development • Downtown Ashland • Business Retention & Recruitment Our chamber serves nearly 400 members and we have 2 full time employees and 2 part-time employees And we have an annual budget of around $650,000.00. We promote tourism through marketing, using all media platforms . Chambers of Commerce & Convention & Visitor Bureau organizations usually hold 2 to 3 signature or major events. Our highest room night and revenue
events are the Memorial Medical Center WhistleStop Marathon & Half Marathon and Ashland Field Day Golf Outing. Our major events generate income that helps offset costs related to Downtown promotions and Community promotions. The Memorial Medical Center WhistleStop Marathon is our number one major event. In 2017, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the WhistleStop with 2035 registered for the full and half marathon. The marathon is a Boston Qualifier and brings in runners from all over the country and Canada. We typically see about 65% female and 35% male. The average age is 45. The average per party is 3.4 with folks staying an average of 1.6 nights. The estimated economic impact from the weekend race is $1.2million dollars. We love coordinating events because it showcases the beauty of our area. Travelers and participants have an opportunity to meet the local people that live here and they are by far, our greatest asset. Did I mention that the surveys received from participants rated the volunteers at a perfect score? The runners, inline skaters, golfers, bikers, and festival goers always comment on how beautiful the city of Ashland is, our “cute and /or quaint ” downtown, and our friendly people! We should be proud to welcome people to live, work, and play in the Chequamegon Bay.
Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands, and the Bayfield Fruit Loop
Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce (715) 682-2500 visitashland.com Ashland County Tourism (715) 682-2500 travelashlandcounty.com Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau (715) 779-3335 bayfield.org Bayfield County Tourism (715) 373-6125 travelbayfieldcounty.com Cable Area Chamber of Commerce (715) 798-3833 cable4fun.com Iron River Area Chamber of Commerce (715) 372-8558 visitironriver.com Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce (715) 747-2801 madelineisland.com
The largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Superior, in conjunction with the 22 Apostle Islands, offers the best natural setting to enjoy sightseeing, sailing, fishing, or simply just relaxing anywhere in Wisconsin. Not only does this landscape lend itself to make it on anyone’s bucket list, it also provides a microclimate for growing the best fruit and apples in the state.
Visitors from all over the Midwest will descend upon Bayfield to tour over a dozen orchards and berry farms along the famous “Bayfield Fruit Loop” to pick their own berries or take home fresh fruit, jams, jellies, mustards, wines, mead and more, all started 125 years ago by some adventurous and dedicated growers, some of which are still thriving here today.
Bayfield’s connection to food dates back hundreds of years to the Anishinaabe who migrated here from the east to settle where the “food grows on water.” Not only did they find this food, wild rice, but they also found an area rich in wild game, wild berries, and well suited for farming of corn and squash. Bayfield, or Oshkiodena (new town) in the Ojibwe language, continues this agricultural tradition today and is known as the “Berry Capital of Wisconsin” with dozens of orchards growing a variety of berries, fruit, and apples, culminating in the fall with the Bayfield Apple Festival.
The first concept of the Bayfield Apple Festival was started in the 1950’s by various orchards but did not take a continuous foothold until 1962 when Jimmy Erickson revived the concept after he got a flat tire on his way to sell his apples in North Dakota.
Starting in June, the orchards surrounding Bayfield will begin selling strawberries and, as the summer continues, currants, juneberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and more will come into season. Starting in August and continuing into September - apples will take center stage!
Celebrating its 57th year, the Bayfield Apple Festival has been named as one of the 10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the nation by USA TODAY, and is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Orchard owners, artists, musicians, street entertainers, crafters and festival food vendors line the streets of this quaint fishing village for a three-day celebration of the fall harvest. Bayfield will welcome 60,000 visitors to come enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest and the beauty of Bayfield’s setting, gateway to the Apostle Islands, with an estimated economic impact of 8-10 million dollars.
Mellen Area Chamber of Commerce (715) 274-2330 mellenwi.com Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (715) 685-9983 nglvc.org Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce (715) 373-5017 washburnchamber.com
C HECK O UT THE E VENTS THE C HEQUAMEGON B AY A REA H AS TO O FFER May 17 - 19
IN
2018 July 21
Bay Days 1-mile 5K/10K Fun Run
Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Fest
Three days of activities on Wisconsin’s south shore of Lake Superior at the peak of spring migration. www.birdandnaturefest.com
Run along the waterfront trail in Ashland, Wisconsin. www.ashlandbaydays.com
June 16
July 22
Apostle Islands Inline Marathon & (ALMT) Half-Marathon
Little Minnow Kids Triathlon
Swim, Bike, Run. www.cheqbaysprint.com
On Madeline Island www.apostleislandsinline.com
November
June 23
Chick-uamegon Women’s 1-mile/5K/10K
Superior Vistas Bike Tour
Loops of 13, 19, 34, 40, 52, 70 and 100 miles. www.superiorvistas.org
www.chick-uamegon.com
October 12 & 13 Memorial Medical Center
WhistleStop Marathon & Half-Marathon
www.whistlestopmarathon.com
2018
• SPECIAL EVENTS IN BAYFIELD
APOSTLE ISLANDS SLED DOG RACE • FEBRUARY 3 & 4 BAYFIELD GARDEN TOUR • JUNE
2
TRADITIONAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET • JUNE CONCERTS BY THE LAKE • TUESDAYS, JUNE
10
19 – SEPTEMBER 4
RED CLIFF TRADITIONAL POW WOW • JUNE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: BAYFIELD.ORG / EVENTS
29 – JULY 1
BAYFIELD RACE WEEK REGATTA • JULY
2–6
FESTIVAL OF ARTS & GALLERY TOUR • JULY 21 & 22 APOSTLE ISLANDS LIGHTHOUSE CELEBRATION AUGUST
28 – SEPTEMBER 15
57TH ANNUAL APPLE FESTIVAL • OCTOBER 5 – 7 HOLIDAY SPIRIT GALLERY TOUR • DECEMBER
BERRY & ORCHARD UPDATE: BAYFIELD.ORG / ORCHARDS
1
LODGING AVAILABILITY: BAYFIELD.ORG / LODGING