Participants outline trade-show and partnership outreach to boost tourism and bus tours

Speaker 1 outlined a series of outreach efforts to promote Madison: attending the Heartland Travel Showcase to recruit bus tours, a bridal show in Chicago with India Foodways, and participation at the Louisville and Cincinnati Boat & RV shows alongside the Ohio River Way. Speaker 1 said the group aims to distribute information through partnerships rather than paying for large booths, noting efforts to rebuild bus-tour business and that JD would visit Circle, Wisconsin to pursue relationships.

Why it matters: These activities are part of the group’s tourism-marketing effort to increase visitation and target specific markets (bus tours, boat/RV attendees, and bridal customers) while managing costs.

Key details and next steps: Speakers emphasized cost-conscious outreach (handing out materials rather than expensive booths), planned grant requests for additional marketing expenses later in the year, and coordination of upcoming events. Speaker 1 said the annual numbers will be included in the 2025 annual report to provide context for marketing decisions.

Quote highlights: "Really trying to push to get those bus tours coming back... we gotta be there at those shows to build those relationships," Speaker 1. "We'll have that... I've got a couple shows coming up that JD and I are gonna go to... I'll be at a bridal a show in Chicago this upcoming weekend with India Foodways," Speaker 1.