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Visit Wausau Receives Award at Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

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At the inaugural Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards, held at the Executive Residence in Madison and hosted by the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation, Visit Wausau and its regional partners stood out with four major nominations and one win, solidifying the area’s growing reputation as a premier outdoor destination in the Midwest and beyond.

Bill Bertram, co-founder of IRONBULL and a consultant with the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership, received the prestigious Big Tent Award, which honors individuals or organizations that bring together diverse stakeholders to expand outdoor recreation access, inclusivity, and economic growth.

“Visit Wausau had a big night at the first ever Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards,” said Bertram. “Four nominations and one win, this speaks to the collaboration and vision happening in Greater Wausau.” The full list of Visit Wausau-related nominations included:

  • Big Tent Award (WINNER) – Bill Bertram (GWPP / IRONBULL)
  • First Ascent Award for Innovation – Great Pinery Heritage Waterway
  • Tandem Award for Collaboration – Greater Wausau: Wisconsin’s Basecamp (Visit Wausau, Marathon County Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Marathon County Parks Foundation, Zartico OS)
  • Destination of the Year – Greater Wausau: Wisconsin’s Basecamp

The awards recognize innovation, place-based strategy, and collaboration in advancing Wisconsin’s outdoor economy. Greater Wausau’s showing at the awards demonstrates a regional commitment to uniting public, private, and nonprofit sectors around outdoor recreation development, branding, and long-term investment.

“The Park, Recreation and Forestry Department is so excited to be a partner in promoting outdoor recreation in our region,” said Jamie Polley, Director of Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.

“We are very proud of the parks, forests, and natural areas that we manage, providing so many opportunities for residents and visitors. We are honored to be recognized by the Office of Outdoor Recreation as a destination location.”

The awards arrive at a pivotal moment: Marathon County now boasts two federally designated National Recreation Trails, the Ice Age Trail and the newly designated Great Pinery Heritage Waterway.

With a new mountain bike park under development, expanding gravel bike routes, and the powerful unifying message of “Wisconsin’s Basecamp,” Greater Wausau is drawing national attention not only as a place to visit, but a place to live, work, and build an outdoor-focused business.

“This recognition is the result of deep collaboration with so many partners,” said Tim White, Executive Director of Visit Wausau. “Our momentum is real and it's only growing. Outdoor recreation is no longer a side note. It’s our identity and our future.”

For more information about Greater Wausau’s outdoor recreation efforts, events, and development projects, visit www.visitwausau.com and www.greatpinery.org.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.