DOS & GM Holiday Meeting December 13, 2023
Agenda • Market Update • Sales Update • WCD Update • Sports Milwaukee Update • Marketing Update • Communications Update • Partnership Update
Market Update Leslie Johnson
October 2023 Downtown
Segmentation 2023 Downtown
Market Hotel Performance Comparison Year to Date
H-D 120th Homecoming Week of July 9, 2023
Northwestern Mutual Week of July 23, 2023
USA Triathlon Week of July 30, 2023
PACE Report
Room Nights forecasted to be turned by EOY 2024- 8,335 2025- 8,809 2026- 10,1016 2028- 4,759
Sales Update Leslie Johnson
New Faces
Manuel Rocha
Raymond Valles
Laura Nelson
National Account Executive
National Account Executive
Associate Director of Sales
2023 FAM Tour • Oct. 31-Nov. 2nd • Hosted 25 planners & media writers • Agenda included: o Accommodations at the Trade o Harley-Davidson Tour o Lakefront Brewery Tour o Baird Center Tour o City Tour MKE Tour o Deer District Tour o Progressive Dinner down Milwaukee Street
Would you be willing to write a brief testimonial for us to use for future FAMs? • It was a pleasure getting to know the Milwaukee • Although I'm based out of Milwaukee, I learned a lot team and spending some time exploring the city. I more about what makes the city so desirable for had never visited Milwaukee and had no idea what to meetings and events planners by participating in a expect. The team did a fantastic job of showing us fam trip alongside them--and got to see firsthand various sides of Milwaukee so all the planners in our their pleasantly surprised reactions! group felt like they'd seen something that they could • This was a great opportunity to see all that take back to their teams. Milwaukee has to offer. The Visit Milwaukee team • I want to extend my thanks to the entire team for their showcased not only the city's rich history but the meticulous planning and warm welcome throughout exciting, world-class updates. It is an often the trip. It not only broadened my perspective on overlooked city that should be on every meeting Milwaukee as a destination but also provided planner's list as a destination. valuable insights that will undoubtedly enhance my • My only regret was having to leave a day early. The ability to recommend the city to clients. FAM was well thought out and gave us a very good look at the best of Milwaukee, although I'm sure there's more! The concert on the first night was the icing on the delicious cake.
Sales Team YTD Production As of December 12, 2023
204,933
ROOM NIGHTS BOOKED YTD
Historical Comparison 2019: 153,693 RN’s Total Year-End
2019: 136,459 As of 12/17/19
• Does not include 90,847 RNS for the RNC • Goal of 216,000 before EOY
2022: 159,442 As of 12/18/22
2023 Booking Highlights
On the Road 60 Tradeshow or Industry Events in 2024 Partnership opportunities for the following shows: • Destination Showcase
• TEAMS Sport Conference
• Sports ETA
• Holiday Showcase
• Sales Missions
• EXPO EXPO
• Esports Summit
• Group Tour Shows
• Spring, Summer, Faith and DC Connect Shows • ASAE • Destination Midwest • IMEX
• NTA & IPW
2024 New Partnerships
PCMA Premier Marketing Partnership Agreement • Unique recognition and activations based on Partner level at PCMA marquee events in North America including Convening Leaders and EduCon. • Partner Recognition in Convene magazine. • Use of PCMA marks (as approved by PCMA) including appropriate PCMA Partner logo, PCMA event logos, and any other sponsored program marks/logos. • Ability to exhibit at National & Regional Events Conference Direct • Partnership gives us access to attend their Annual partner meeting along with 2 of their signature client events AMC Institute • Partnership provides us access to AMC (Association Management Companies) that represent over 3,000 associations throughout the world. We will be able to attend 2 of their annual events as well as take advantage of their marketing opportunities
Upcoming Industry Events Hosted in Milwaukee
• JCSMS Feb. 15-17, 2024
o 60-75 CEO's for Sports Science & Medical Organizations
• Connect August. 27th-30th 2024 o 1,000 Meeting Planners
• Expo Expo 2026
o 600 Tradeshow Organizers
• TEAMS 2027
o Over 200 Event Owners & Rights holders
Upcoming Industry Events Interested in Milwaukee • DI's Annual Convention is the destination organization industry's premier event to meet your peers and gain cutting-edge knowledge to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. • The world's largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations • Educates, equips, and empowers industry professionals to grow the success of their destinations and to excel professionally
2025
Upcoming Industry Events Interested in Milwaukee • Up to 5,500 Total Attendance • Over 3,000 Association Professionals • 2,200 Industry Professionals • Previously Hosted in Columbus, Nashville, Cleveland, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Los Angeles • $500 Million in Revenue • Hosting cost for the city is $2M-$3M
2031
WCD Update Megan Seppmann
Opening May 16, 2024 • New Expo hall with 300,000 contiguous square feet. • 24 new meeting rooms. • 400 indoor parking spaces. • Six additional loading docks. • Spectacular fourth-floor ballroom. • Amazon Go technology. • Nursing mothers rooms. • Quiet rooms.
BAIRD BALLROOM
Sports Milwaukee Update Marissa Werner
Sports Milwaukee in the Media and Community • Sports Business Journal •
A cover-wrap advertisement on the front and back covers that highlighted both Fiserv Forum and the Baird Center expansion.
• SportsEvents 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards Voting Now •
Our team is up for All-Star Destination Partner, along with Best Live or Virtual Sporting Event and Best Long-Term Partnership Between Planner & Destination with our amazing partner USA Triathlon. Click here to vote now!
• The Opportunity Center •
Recently presented importance of the proposed facility to our community and have been asked to join their BOD
By the Numbers 2023 • 84 Events • 51,698RN Actualized YTD • $59,714,000 in Economic Impact Booked in 2023 for Future Years • 68 Events • 64,560 Room Nights YTD
o Estimate an additional 10,000 Room Nights to close by EOY
• $198,424,685 in Economic Impact Expected to Turn by End of Year • NIRSA 2028 (4,795RN) • 2025 JVA Boys (1,830RN) • 2025 JVA Girls (1,635RN)
Updates • • • •
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2023 Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off 2024 Wisconsin State USBC Women's Bowling 2024 Women's College Showcase 2025 Badger Region Volleyball Association Championships 2025 and Beyond • The 3rd weekend has been split into 2 weekends 2027 USA Gymnastics Championships & National Congress • August 12-16, 2027 (5,126 Room Nights) • Bid has been sent in and expect next steps in Q1 2024 2026-27 & 2027-28 NCAA Bids
Event Experiences Update Michelle Haider
2024 Citywide Events • WI Juniors Volleyball Club – January 12-14 • WASB – January 16-19 • JVA – February 9-11 • Anime Milwaukee – March 710 • Simpleview Summit – April 711 • WI Cheese Makers Association – April 15-19 • US Junior Nationals – April 1722 • United Supreme Council Scottish Rite Masons – May 21-26
• NASFAA – June 13-22 • ACUHO – June 20-26 • National Square Dance Convention – June 26-29 • RNC – July 14-19 • Northwestern Mutual – July 20-24 • Harley-Davidson Homecoming – July 25-28 • Connect Meetings – August 26-29
Marketing Update Josh Albrecht
Brew City Beer Pass Brew City BOGO Don’t miss out on BOGO beer at more than 30 local craft breweries with the Brew City Beer Pass presented by Potawatomi Casino | Hotel. From now, through October 31, 2025, score free beer from your favorite brew to something entirely new. Sign up today and taste what’s brewing in Milwaukee. To beerfinity and beyond! Round 3 • Launched November 20, 2023 • 1100 downloads (as of 12/1)
Wauwatosa Expedia Campaign November-December 2023 • $20K Budget • Drive awareness and overnight stays in December through the Wauwatosa Holiday Market promotion • In partnership with Discover Wauwatosa • Highlights 6 Wauwatosa properties • Campaign is audited for performance and optimized to ensure full spend of budget and strong results. Performance Nov. 1 – Dec. 1: o 286K impressions, 347 clicks, 51 room nights, and $8K gross booking o Click-thru rate is 0.12% (avg. benchmark is .07%) o Top three hotels booked: Springhill Suites, Radisson, Sonesta
Expedia Co-Op Campaign April-July 2023 • Partnered with 7 hotel properties • VM was the presenting sponsor • Combined budget of $37K • Delivered $797K in revenue • ROAS of $21.2:1
Hotel Month 2024 City of Festivals • Secured a Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant through Travel Wisconsin • Campaign will launch in April/May/June • More details to come in Q1 2024
Winter Hopper Campaign*
159 280
ROOMS BOOKED
FLIGHTS BOOKED
November – December 2023 *All data as of 12/11/23
New Visit Milwaukee Brand • Coming in Q1 of 2024
Communications & Advocacy Update Claire Koenig
Top 2023 Issues • Move Forward MKE • American Family Field funding • 4 a.m. bar time during Republican National Convention • State Tourism budget increase • Film tax credit
Earned Recap • 2023 destination coverage dominated by Republican debate, “Top Chef” announcement • Lots of “second city” coverage, especially in light of Nat Geo award, which we expect to continue in 2024 • Right on trend, Milwaukee generated culinary coverage outside of “Top Chef,” including sober experiences, vegan food, coffee culture and more
“Best Destinations to Travel in 2024”
“Best of the Midwest: Culinary City” “Readers’ Choice Awards 2023”
“21 of Our Favorite Thanksgiving Getaways 2023”
“13 Best Places to Celebrate Juneteenth in 2023”
“Here’s How We Spent 48 Hours Exploring Milwaukee, Wisconsin”
“10 Of The Most Livable Cities In The U.S. & What They Offer Future Travelers”
“The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to Milwaukee”
“Reflecting Milwaukee’s Diversity”
Social Snapshot Total Hotel-Focused Instagram reels: 11 • Views: 1,419,446 • Likes: 53,878 • Reach: 1,512,665 Macro KPIS November YTD • 42.2M impressions across all channels • 2.1M total engagements • 5% engagement rate
2024 Major Media Activations • Top Chef • RNC Media • Connect/Baird Center Press Trip/FAM • Baird Center Grand Opening • “Good Things Brewing” Season 2 • Rebrand Ambassadors • Ongoing influencer & journalist hosting
Partnership Update Bryan Kubel
2024 Partnership Renewals • Hotel dues rates will remain the same in 2024 • Renewal invoices will be sent via email (if opted into paperless billing) or physical USPS mail by January 2, 2024 • Invoice due date is January 30, 2024 • New: if dues are not paid by February 28, 2024, late fees will be assessed We appreciate your assistance in getting your renewal invoices paid on time!
New 360 Photography Benefit Available • VISIT Milwaukee purchased 10 licenses of Threshold 360 • Threshold 360: A service that takes comprehensive, 360-degree photography, allowing partners to have virtual tours of their hotels available for clients and visitors
• Five Licenses Available • Wisconsin Center District has claimed four licenses • One additional license sold this week
• Reduced rate of $900 for partners • $500 savings • Rolling sales period
If interested, please contact: • Bryan Kubel: bkubel@Milwaukee.org • Miranda Allison: mallison@Milwaukee.org Example Virtual Tour
New Amenity Options Available We have added new amenity options for your hotels and affiliated F&B venues in the partner portal: • How many Lake View, City View and/or River View rooms you have • More detailed information about F&B venues (i.e. serves cheese curds or bloody marys) • This information is frequently requested from clients and visitors Profile > Accounts > Dropdown Arrow > Manage Amenities
Review Your Partner Page • Renewal time is a great time to review all your existing information on file: • Images • General info: address, phone number, general email • Social media handles • Text listing • Meeting space • Upcoming events
The majority of updates can be made in your partner portal!
2024 All-Partner Survey • We will once again survey all partners for their thoughts about their partnership with VISIT Milwaukee • Stay tuned to your inboxes in January for more information • Your feedback will help shape the partnership department moving forward
Thank you!