Governor Tony Evers hopes for more opportunities to host large-scale events in your backyard. The Democratic governor celebrated National Travel and Tourism this week with the requested release of $10 million from the Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund to promote Wisconsin as a premier host and major destination for large-scale events. In 2022, Wisconsin’s tourism industry generated $23.7 billion in total economic impact, up over a billion dollars from the previous record set in 2019. The announcement comes ahead of two major events coming to the state: the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. Destination Door County’s Jon Jarosh says local officials continue to work with Discover Green Bay and others to learn how they will be able to support the nearly quarter-million people expected to come to the area for the draft April 24th-26th.

Jarosh says the 2023 tourism numbers will be released in early June. Destination Door County celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week on Wednesday, and Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers attended the organization’s Top Chef Wisconsin watch party. The episode featured a traditional Door County fish boil as part of its competition.