WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — Wisconsin tourism and Wisconsin agriculture are merging in an unprecedented and dynamic way at the first ever Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism “LUV-R-AG” Summit on March 30-31, 2015 in Wisconsin Dells.
In recognizing the impact and potential of agriculture and tourism as top revenue producers in the state, the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA) will bring together leaders in tourism and agriculture, ag-tourism business owners, marketing professionals and industry experts for opportunities in networking, learning, and discovering opportunities for growth and partnerships in the ag-tourism industry.
The schedule for the two-day summit covers topics including liability laws, safety, marketing opportunities and “earned media” public relations, understanding your customers, farm business succession planning, ag-tourism success stories, and event planning.
WATA will also be introducing their new “Field Trips” initiative to promote bus group visits to ag-tourism destinations throughout Wisconsin. The idea is based on those field trips that adults fondly remember from grade school…a day out of the classroom, fun on the bus ride with friends, and of course – the brown bag lunch. “Field Trips” will be promoted in partnership with Midwest Itineraries Magazine and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to reach over 12,000 tour operators.
A highlight of the summit will be a sneak-peek premiere of the ag-tourism episode set to air on Discover Wisconsin TV at the beginning of April. The episode showcases the educational aspects of visiting a family farm and also highlights a unique field-to-plate dining experience at a WATA member’s farm.
WATA membership is open to farms, farm markets, cheese factories, wineries, corn mazes, breweries, distilleries, food discovery centers, wedding barns, rural bed and breakfasts, farm stay vacations, orchards, rural arts initiatives, agricultural heritage museums, and festivals that celebrate locally-sourced Wisconsin products. Membership also includes visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, grower’s associations, and rural or ag-service businesses. Membership is $100 per year.
To register for the summit, go to the web site www.luv-r-ag.com. The rate for WATA members is $130 for the two-day conference which includes three meals and a banquet. The rate for non-members is $180. Join WATA as you register for immediate savings with the reduced member rate. Lodging is available at Ho-Chunk Conference Center for a special rate through March 15.
For more information, contact Kelly Murray, WATA Executive Director at 608.343.0201 or director@wiagtourism.com.
— Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association
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