Partners Program Going Strong at Packer Country VCB
Participation has grown by nearly 25% in 2005

GREEN BAY, Wis.
December 12, 2005

Green Bay, WI – Visitors to Packer Country spent more than $645 million dollars in 2004, as tourism continues to be among the top industries in the region. Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau says a strong tourism promotion partnership is a key factor in attracting visitors to the area and in keeping them coming back.

“We work very closely with our partners and are very pleased with the growth of the Preferred Partners program we’ve developed,” said Jason Ring, Partnerships Manager for Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau. “Since the start of the year we’ve actually seen an increase of nearly 25% in program participation.”

Packer Country partners cover a wide range of businesses that are directly involved in tourism, including attractions, hotels, restaurants, events and festivals as well as other businesses that may be indirectly related to the hospitality industry, such as retailers, banks and service providers.

Ring says the Preferred Partners program offers a number of benefits to help partners promote their business which helps overall tourism promotion efforts throughout the region. “It’s a way for the VCB and our partners to share marketing and promotional costs as we work cooperatively to bring more visitors to the area,” Ring said.

Some of the Preferred Partner program benefits include:

• Listings in the Official Packer Country Visitors Guide
• Information and links on the Packer Country Web site (www.packercountry.com)
• Visitor information referrals
• Brochure distribution
• Leads for conventions, sports tournaments and other events
• Discounted advertising in Packer Country publications
• Access to economic studies on area tourism
• FAM (familiarization) tours
• Travel writer visits

“We’ve found that people like to come to Packer Country because of its variety of attractions, so it only makes sense for everyone to work together as partners in attracting more visitors to the area,” Ring added. “Certainly by working together we can reach more potential visitors throughout the Midwest."

For more information on Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau and events throughout the region, 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.