Brookfield, WI – Visit Eau Claire and UW-Eau Claire are happy to announce statewide recognition for their innovative facility usage agreement with the receipt of the Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) Trailblazer Award for Outstanding Partnerships. The Wisconsin Trailblazer award for Outstanding Partnerships is awarded each year at the WACVB Fall Convention in an effort to recognize Wisconsin tourism organizations for outstanding marketing and partnership efforts as well as to increase the visibility of Wisconsin's tourism industry and destination marketing organizations.
"Our strategic partnership with Visit Eau Claire creates opportunities to make Eau Claire more of a destination location, not only for the many wonderful existing performances and events, but by creating a much broader spectrum of possibilities. It is rewarding to be recognized for this partnership, which represents the spirit and substance of UW-Eau Claire’s efforts to collaborate with our community and region on important cultural, quality of life and economic development initiatives," said Chancellor Jim Schmidt.
Wisconsin Department of Tourism Deputy Secretary Sarah Klavas joined WACVB Executive Director Julia Hertel in presenting the award during WACVB's 2014 Convention in Brookfield last week. Linda John, Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire, and Kenzi Phillips, Marketing Manager were both on hand to accept the award.
"The partnership we have with UW-Eau Claire for facility usage allows us to bid for events that we previously had not been able to go after, and could serve as a model for most every other convention & visitors bureau across Wisconsin. We’ve already seen success with the award of the 2015 National Collegiate Table Tennis Championships in April of next year, and we look forward to moving forward with the University on this unique and innovative partnership." said Linda John.
Visit Eau Claire effectively markets the Eau Claire area as a destination for conventions, group tour, sporting events, and leisure markets, while also promoting regional economic growth, enhancing the area’s overall identity and image, selling fun, promoting fun, and most importantly – Having FUN!