Governor Evers Announces Appointments to Wisconsin's Council on Tourism

Friday, July 30th, 2021 -- 12:00 PM

As Wisconsin tourism surges back, Governor Tony Evers announced four appointments to the Wisconsin Council on Tourism.

“We’re working to make sure our state and our economy continue to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and the Wisconsin Council on Tourism will play an important role in advising the Secretary of the Department of Tourism in the weeks and months ahead,” said Governor Evers.

“Our tourism industry and workforce are a critical part of our state’s economy, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done through my first two budgets and targeted federal assistance to help support tourism in Wisconsin and ensure this industry can bounce back from this pandemic.”

As described in Wisconsin State Statute 41.12, the Council’s primary mission is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Tourism on matters related to tourism.

“Tourism is a diverse group of industry sectors that come together to drive Wisconsin’s economy,” said Acting Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers. “Our council members play an important role in advising the Department on moving Wisconsin tourism forward.” The four appointments to the Wisconsin Council on Tourism include Mary McPhetridge, Dr. Robert “Bert” Davis, Dr. Natalie Chin, and Denise Stillman.

The 21-member council, which includes 14 gubernatorial appointees and 7 ex-officio members, aims to represent varied geography and wide-ranging expertise that includes, but is not limited to, recreation and attraction business owners, hospitality and service industry business owners, convention and visitor bureaus, economic development specialists, industry thought leaders, legislators and leaders of arts, historic and cultural destinations.

Despite the pandemic, the tourism industry supported more than 157,000 jobs and drove $17.3 billion in total business sales in 2020.

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