2019 Power of Tourism - Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

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WELCOME TO MARSHFIELD! There’s a lot of new energy in Marshfield this year. Our vibrant downtown and community provide visitors and locals with a great mix of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Enjoy a pint at the Blue Heron Brewpub, feast on a signature Friday night fish fry or peruse our antique stores to find a hidden treasure. You’ll always discover something you and family can enjoy.

We’re proud of our Wenzel Family Plaza, which will host fresh new events and activities in the heart of Marshfield.

Marshfield Fairgrounds Park is also showcasing new events this year, including something spooky this fall that you won’t want to miss. We invite you to join us and experience our variety of uniquely Marshfield festivals: Dairyfest, the Central Wisconsin State Fair, Hub City Days, Maple Fall Fest, Oktoberfest and Rotary Winter Wonderland.

The new Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA is undergoing a major expansion that includes an impressive multi-sport athletic complex.

New outdoor athletic facilities, including a new football stadium at Marshfield High School, will also be opening soon.

Our downtown is another amenity that makes Marshfield such a great place to live. Soon, Uptown Coffee Company and Escape Room Marshfield will be among the great businesses you can visit downtown.

Or, take a walk on the wild side and visit with our two star residents at Wildwood Park & Zoo: twin Kodiak bears Munsey and Boda.

Experiencing the fantastical critters and creations at Jurustic Park is another must—there’s nothing like it!

It’s an exciting time to be in Marshfield, and there’s something here for everyone.

—Bob McManus, Mayor, City of Marshfield

MARSHFIELD, A CITY REIMAGINED Visitors come to our vibrant community for many reasons, such as pleasure, business, or world-class medical care provided by Marshfield Clinic Health System. Whatever the reason, travelers are taken care of in Marshfield. This is a place to enjoy the simple things in life, whether it’s sipping a locally crafted beer, sampling freshly made cheese curds, or enjoying the timeless pleasure of a day at a festival with your family.

In Marshfield, visitors can discover and experience our rich industrial and commercial history that’s alive in the world of metal sculptures of Jurustic Park or the design details in our new Wenzel Family Plaza while taking in a concert or engaging in a family friendly activity.

Two of our top attractions you can’t miss are The Marshfield Fairgrounds Park and Wildwood Park & Zoo. Marshfield Fairgrounds Park is home to many events and the World’s Largest Round Barn, an amazing architectural feat built in 1916. The park showcases events like the annual Central Wisconsin State Fair, a national bull riding and barrel racing championship, and a new haunted fall event. Wildwood Park & Zoo is home to our famous rare twin Kodiak bears Munsey and Boda and soon to feature a new cougar exhibit and welcome center.

With our newest walk/bike trail, the Wildwood Connector Trail, getting to Marshfield’s attractions has never been easier or more fun. For example, you can ride or walk from the Wildwood Park & Zoo to the Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA. We’re also gearing up for everyone’s favorite festivals: Dairyfest in spring, Hub City Days and the Central Wisconsin State Fair in summer, Maple Fall Fest in autumn, and Rotary Winter Wonderland to close out the year. To learn more about what’s happening in Marshfield, go to visitmarshfield.com.

—Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff

WHAT’S NEW IN MARSHFIELD IN 2019 A calendar filled with tournaments expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators to Marshfield plus multi-million-dollar updates to local sports facilities means the city is set to be a key player in Wisconsin’s sports scene in 2019.

Throughout the summer, Marshfield will welcome several sporting events that will provide a big boost to the area’s economy in the form of hotel stays, visits to local restaurants, shopping and more.

Here’s a look at this summer’s events: •

From May 31 to June 1, Marshfield Fairgrounds Park will host the 2019 ACO Wisconsin State Championship Cornhole Tournament, which is expected to attract more than 100 players and families.

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The Marshfield Baseball Classic presented by the Badger State Games is returning to Marshfield for its second year on June 7-9 and June 14-16. About a dozen teams are expected to participate in each of the two three-day tournaments.

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One of this summer’s new events is the Marshfield Tigers Basketball Tournament, which will welcome 40+ teams and their families to the city June 14-16.

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Summer baseball returns to Marshfield on June 21-23 at the Small Town Baseball State Championships, which traditionally draws about 40+ teams and their fans to the city.

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On July 19-23, eight youth baseball teams will compete in the American Legion 17-U State Tournament.

All told, these and other summer sporting events are expected to draw over 10,000 visitors and bring more than $500,000 in economic impact to the region. Play ball!

New sports facilities under construction Speaking of sports, two new facilities will also open in Marshfield this year.

The first is Roehl Fieldhouse at the Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA on McMillan Street, a mixed-used facility with space for indoor courts and a new running track. This greatly expands opportunities for team sports and sporting events in the area. The facility, expected to open this spring, is the second phase of a larger expansion and renovation at the YMCA that also includes a Healthy Living Center, a Strength Training Center, a MultiGenerational Community Room and more.

Also currently under construction is a new football field and track facility at Marshfield High School. Major upgrades have not been made to the district’s athletic fields since 1968, and the high school has not hosted track meets or playoff football games in recent years due to the age of its facilities. The multimillion-dollar project—$7 million of which has been covered by private donations—also includes new baseball and softball fields across the street from the high school. The project is expected to be finished in time for the 2019-20 school year.

CVB launching rebrand, new website The Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is also getting a new name and a new look. The CVB is in the middle of a rebranding process set to officially launch next year, when the organization will become known as Visit Marshfield and launch a redesigned version of the CVB’s tourism website, visitmarshfield.com.

The rebranding stems from an ongoing project funded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant program. After significant strategic planning and marketing research over the last two years, the Marshfield CVB will launch its new brand with a new website and updated social media channels and e-newsletters in January 2020.

Website to reach key travel markets The new CVB website will incorporate the organization’s new brand with the use of impactful photography, eye-catching design elements, and content designed to reach Marshfield’s key travel markets.

Content on the site will be geared toward leisure travelers in general but also niche markets like sports tournament attendees, meeting planners and Marshfield Clinic Health System visitors. The new mobile-forward website will provide visitors with in-depth information about Marshfield’s key attractions, including Wildwood Park & Zoo and Jurustic Park.

Events will also be front-and-center on the site, thanks to the creation of a dynamic event calendar that highlights information about new events as well as local festival favorites like Dairyfest, Hub City Days, Central Wisconsin State Fair and Maple Fall Fest.

The new brand and website are scheduled to launch in January 2020 in conjunction with Visit Marshfield’s other marketing channels, including the visitor guide, social media and e-newsletters.

WENZEL FAMILY PLAZA HOSTS FAMILY FUN AND ATTRACTS VISITORS TO DOWNTOWN Once a plan, now a vibrant reality—Wenzel Family Plaza, located in the heart of the downtown, has successfully attracted many residents and visitors seeking fresh new events, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

The plaza opened with fanfare during Wood County Farm Technology Days on July 11, 2018, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. The event was celebrated with two live music performances, food and drink, and many children playing in the plaza’s new water feature. The plaza continued to host exciting events throughout summer and fall. Off the Mat Yoga hosted weekly Saturday morning Yoga in the Plaza sessions that were very popular and well-attended. Oktoberfest found a new home in the plaza, featuring brews from Blue Heron Brewpub, authentic German food, live music all day and fun and games for the whole family. The plaza also provided evening entertainment, as local and regional musicians performed live concerts on the Everett & Dolores Roehl Stage during Downtown Friday Nights.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Judy Wenzel shared her hope that “Wenzel Family Plaza will be a centerpiece for the continued growth in downtown Marshfield.” Those dreams are being realized, and quickly; from the plaza opening in July through the end of summer alone, Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates that 6,000 locals and visitors came to our downtown as a direct result of Wenzel Family Plaza programming.

Fun family events and activities are already scheduled for 2019, which will attract even more foot traffic and visitors to downtown, positively impacting downtown businesses and the local economy and growing Marshfield’s legacy of being a family-centric, quality place to live. Visitors will discover what the locals already know—you can drop into downtown for specialty boutique shopping and dining, then walk to the plaza for entertainment and activities for every age.

Wenzel Family Plaza Coordinator Nicki Ryner shared some exciting upcoming events for 2019 that are sure to please young and old: concerts, lunches, game nights and holiday fun, just to name a few! In addition to recurring events like the Downtown Friday Nights Summer Series concerts, you can also check out plaza activities happening during our popular festivals, like Dairyfest and Hub City Days.

“I am excited to be here and bring the community all these great events at the plaza. I look forward to seeing you there!” Ryner said.

For all the latest activities and events at Wenzel Family Plaza, go to visitmarshfield.com.

WENZEL FAMILY PLAZA – FAMILY FUN 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR Downtown Friday Nights – Summer Series Fridays, May 17-October 11 • 7pm A variety of bands perform on the plaza stage on Friday nights during this exciting Summer Series!

Lunch in the Plaza Thursdays & Fridays in June • 11am-1pm Grab some lunch to go from Marshfield’s downtown eateries and enjoy your meal in the plaza!

Game Night in the Plaza Thursdays beginning June 6 • 7pm Held during downtown’s Your Thursdays (nights of extended downtown business hours and special shopping promotions), Game Night in the Plaza offers family gaming fun. Check out downtown deals, then come down to the plaza and play trivia, bingo, cornhole, and more!

Dairyfest Street Show June 1 • 1-5pm Come down to the plaza after the Dairyfest parade where a variety of vendors will display their wares for sale. Check out more fun throughout the day, including an interactive educational event, face painting, kids’ entertainment, a pie and ice cream social, cheese sampling, free milk, music, and food trucks.

Dairyfest Fun in the Plaza / Dancing at Dairyfest June 1 Celebrate Dairyfest downtown with family-friendly events.

Plaza Saturdays June 8-September 28 Plaza Saturdays include morning Yoga in the Plaza from Off the Mat Yoga from 8-9am and activities in the Kids Zone for the little ones.

Spring Family Event June 14 • 5-8:30pm Bring the whole family to the plaza to enjoy live music, games, and many outdoor activities!

Hub City Days Fun in the Plaza July 27 Performances and demonstrations by local studios and a talent show—all during Hub City Days! Don’t miss out.

Farm to Table August 17 Fresh, local, farm-to-table dinner (ticketed event) in the plaza Sponsored by The Rivers restaurant, located adjacent to the Holiday Inn.

Oktoberfest September 7 Prost! Put on your lederhosen, it’s time for a truly traditional German celebration at the plaza! Enjoy live music, amazing beer, authentic food (brats, pretzels, and more), and other Oktoberfest fun.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM Visitors fuel Marshfield area economy Visitors continue to make a strong contribution to Marshfield’s economy, based on figures recently released by the Wisconsin State Department of Tourism.

According to the state, visitors spent $96.6 million in Wood County 2018, a 3.94% increase over 2017. That figure includes money spent at lodging establishments, restaurants and retailers.

“Marshfield and Wood County saw a strong growth of $3.7 million of direct visitor spending in 2018,” said Marshfield CVB Director Matt McLean.

Visitors to Wood County generated $12 million in state and local tax revenue. Statewide, traveler spending generated $1.58 billion in state and local revenue.

“Marshfield’s hospitality sector had a record year in 2018, with hotel occupancies bolstered by our “Big Three” events with the National Fur Trappers in June, Wood County Farm Technology Days in July, and the Wisconsin State Square and Round Dance Convention in August. Those three events, we estimate brought in more than 50,000 visitors and $3 million in economic impact,” added Marshfield CVB Director Matt McLean.

Visitor spending also supports hundreds of jobs in Marshfield and Wood County. According to state figures, visitor spending accounted for 2,239 jobs in Wood County. These jobs cross the spectrum of employment, from entry-level and seasonal positions to administrative and executive jobs.

In Wood County, workers in the tourism industry were paid a combined $63.6 million, and many of those dollars are spent and invested directly back into the local community.

WOOD COUNTY TOURISM EXPENDITURES Direct Visitor State and Employment Spending Local Taxes Millions

%

2017

2018

Change

$92.9

$96.6

3.94%

Total 2017

2018

2,232 2,239

% Change 0.29%

Millions 2017

2018

$11.8 $12.0

% Change 1.62%

Events, attractions continue to draw visitors Events continue to be a big attraction for visitors, echoing recent research compiled by the Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. Special events like Wood County’s Farm Technology Days—as well as local favorites like Dairyfest, Hub City Days, Central Wisconsin State Fair and Maple Fall Fest—drove a lot of visitor spending in 2018.

Last year also saw the opening of the new Wenzel Family Plaza, a community and performance space in downtown Marshfield that will host a variety of activities year-round. The plaza also includes abundant green space, popular water feature, outdoor dining and seating areas and bike and street parking.

Additional research from the CVB has also identified other reasons visitors travel to Marshfield, including trips to the world-class Marshfield Clinic Health System, youth and adult sporting events and tournaments, shopping and business travel. Visitors continued to enjoy some of Marshfield’s top attractions in 2018, including Wildwood Park & Zoo and Jurustic Park.

The Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is committed to growing the number of visitors to Marshfield and looks forward to the area’s continued growth in tourism development.

Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau 700 S. Central Ave. Marshfield, WI 54449 Phone: 715-384-4314 visitmarshfield.com