Packer Country MVPs - Volunteers Extend the Tourism Bureau's Reach

GREEN BAY, Wis.
September 16, 2005

Green Bay, WI – If you’ve stopped to check out Packer Country’s Mobile Welcome Center at an event this summer, chances are the smiling help you received was from one of the visitor and convention bureau’s MVP’S. The Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau is very lucky to have 35 ‘Most Valuable Personal Service’ volunteers who give their time and energy to promoting tourism in the Green Bay and Lakeshore areas.

“Our volunteers aren’t just valuable, they’re invaluable,” says Julie Gerczak, Packer Country Director of Visitor Services. “Without them we couldn’t offer all of the services we currently provide or reach out to all of the people we need to reach.”

Gerczak says the Packer Country MVP’S program began in 2003 and is growing. Many of the volunteers are retirees, but others find time to volunteer around their regular work schedules. The group also includes three couples.

Phyllis Hoogland of Ashwaubenon says she became interested in volunteering for Packer Country at the Senior Expo at Shopko Hall two years ago. “It really looked interesting, so a friend and I went through the training and have been volunteering our time ever since,” Hoogland said. “It’s a lot of fun and there are a lot of different things to help with.”

Staffing the new Mobile Welcome Center at special events throughout Packer Country is just one way that the volunteers help out through the MVP’S program. They are also often visible at conventions, helping with registration and other duties, while others are less visible, but just as important, helping inside the Packer Country office.

Gerczak says the volunteers logged about 700 hours for the Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau in 2004. That number has already been exceeded in 2005, with more than three months left in the year.

Gerczak says the MVP’S program is a great help for Packer Country, but they’re still looking for more volunteers. “We have training sessions planned for October 19th and October 26th and we’d love to see a good turnout,” Gerczak said. “It’s a way to volunteer in the community, have some fun and meet a lot of people, all at the same time.”

For more information on Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau, visit www.packercountry.com.

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Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau is the regional destination marketing organization committed to improving the visitor experience and increasing the economic impact of tourism to its communities. For more information call 888-867-3342 or visit us online at www.packercountry.com.