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2004 Fox Cities Tourism Award Winners Named
Presentations made at the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau's Annual Tourism Breakfast

(Fox Cities, WI) - The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau named recipients of the Fox Cities Tourism Awards this morning during its annual Tourism Breakfast at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. These award winners were responsible for nearly $1.2 million of economic impact to the Fox Cities. Brian Casey of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and chair of the Bureau's awards committee presented the awards.

Outagamie County and the Outagamie County Regional Airport received the Destination Builder award for recent improvements to the airport terminal. Nearly 500,000 people pass through the airport annually.

"The new terminal really makes an impact on visitors to the area," said Casey. "Our airport continues to be easy to get around, but the new boarding bridges and sophisticated look give visitors a very positive impression of the community."

The Kimberly Recreation Association (KRA) and South Appleton Rockers received the Sports Award honoring their efforts toward the Bureau goal of increasing the number of sports events held in the Fox Cities. KRA hosted the International Softball Conference (ISC) World Fastball Tournament for the 10th time. The South Appleton Rockers agreed to host the ISC II tournament in conjunction with ISC, making for a very successful tournament and week of tourism in the Fox Cities. These two tournaments brought an estimated economic impact of $1.1 million to the area.

"Hosting a sports tournament the magnitude of ISC is an incredible undertaking in itself," commented Casey. 'Continuing to bring the event back to the area and adding another event to coincide certainly speaks to the dedication of the KRA and South Appleton Rockers to their sport and to the quality of the Fox Cities as a sports tournament destination.'

The Wisconsin Chiefs of Police were honored with the Convention Award. Appleton Police Chief Richard Myers and his staff spent many hours organizing this event with the goal of showing off the “new” downtown Appleton. Economic impact of this convention is estimated at $62,000.

'Wisconsin Chiefs of Police is another example of how local people are realizing that the Fox Cities is a great place to host a convention," said Casey. "We have many local champions that want to show off the Fox Cities to their professional organizations."

Ethel Schulze was presented with the Jim Jensen Volunteer Award, given to an individual who has significantly enhanced the Bureau through their volunteer efforts. Ethel began her volunteer service to the Bureau in 1995.

Hearthstone Historic House's Victorian Christmas event received the Heritage Award for its showcasing the area’s rich heritage.

"Hearthstone's annual Christmas-themed event has become a must-see for locals and visitors alike," commented Casey. "The event continually maintains the area's rich Christmas traditions for all."

Tourism had an estimated $330 million impact on the Fox Cities in 2002 and tourist dollars directly and indirectly created more than 9,000 full-time job equivalents and $171 million in resident income.

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The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit corporation working to develop an economically viable convention and visitor business in the Fox Cities. This is accomplished by attracting meetings, conventions and tournaments to the community and promoting area attractions and special events to tourists and other visitors.