Hotel Industry Honors Gov. Evers, Sen. Ballweg, Rep. Kitchens for Support of Tourism

Brookfield, WI (October 1, 2024) – Yesterday, the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) presented their first-ever “Key to Hospitality” awards to Governor Tony Evers, Senator Joan Ballweg, and Representative Joel Kitchens in recognition of their significant contributions to Wisconsin’s tourism economy. The ceremony took place at American Family Field during the WHLA Stars of the Industry Luncheon.

“We are proud to recognize these three champions of Wisconsin’s tourism industry, which is the third largest industry in our state,” said Bill Elliott, President & CEO of WHLA. He continued, “These leaders have stood with us through the challenges of the pandemic, supported Travel Wisconsin, and worked tirelessly to attract visitors to every corner of the state. Their dedication has been crucial in driving progress for our industry.”

Yesterday’s presentation was the inaugural year for the Key to Hospitality awards. According to Elliott, the awards were created to recognize officials who have made significant contributions to the industry through their leadership and support. Over the past several years, that support has included approximately $95 million in COVID relief grants to help hotel and lodging facilities stay open, record funding for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and the repeal of Wisconsin’s Personal Property Tax law, which unfairly targeted hotel and lodging facilities.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.