By Patrick Lynn
The Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (SPACVB) is marking National Travel & Tourism Week this month, underscoring the travel industry’s contributions and its pivotal role in fueling economic growth across communities nationwide.
In observance of the week, SPACVB is organizing two events to underscore the industry’s importance and the benefits it brings to Portage County.
To mark National Travel & Tourism Week, SPACVB will host a Tourism Takeover: Live! event at the Stevens Point Brewery’s new taproom on Monday, May 20, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The evening will feature a live podcast recording of Pour Another Round, showcasing representatives from the Stevens Point Area’s beer, wine, and spirits industry, including Stevens Point Brewery, O’so Brewing Company, Central Waters, District 1, Sunset Point Winery, and Great Northern Distilling. Attendees can enjoy food, a complimentary beverage, and the chance to win giveaways.
The event is free to attend, with RSVPs requested by May 15, 2024, at bit.ly/TourismTakeover2024.
The second event, the annual Familiarization Tour (FAM Tour), is a three-hour guided tour on June 5, featuring abbreviated site visits to new and popular attractions in the region.
This year’s tour includes stops at Guild Designs, Food + Farm Exploration Center, and Stevens Point Brewery, with snacks provided throughout the guided bus tour. While primarily aimed at frontline staff in the hospitality industry, the FAM Tour is open to all, with limited space available. Interested individuals can register for one of two tour times (9 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at bit.ly/2024FAM.
Travel plays a pivotal role in the U.S. economy, generating a $2.8 trillion economic output in 2022 and supporting nearly 15 million jobs nationwide. Traveler spending data for 2023 for Portage County and the state of Wisconsin will be released in early June.
The Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is an economic and community development organization dedicated to expanding Portage County’s economy by attracting conventions, sporting events, and leisure tourists.
Visitor spending and increased tax revenues generated by the bureau contribute to commerce, sustain jobs, and enhance the area’s appeal as a destination. For more information about the Stevens Point Area, visit StevensPointArea.com.
