Circle Wisconsin included Manitowoc in their June Showcase Familiarization (FAM) Tour June 12-13, 2007. The tour included amenities, attractions, and touring in both Manitowoc and Two Rivers. The FAM goers sampled cheese
at Pine River Dairy; toured the Rahr-West Art Museum; listened to shipwreck stores at Rogers Street Fishing Village; sang the Sundae Fight Song and ate ice cream
at Washington House; explored the WI Maritime Museum/USS Cobia; and learned about Omega 3
at Natural Ovens. The Best Western Lakefront Hotel provided a complimentary welcome reception, lodging and breakfast; the Lighthouse Inn provided a complimentary family style dinner - topped off with entertainment by the VanLanen Family string trio; the Holiday Inn - the last stop of the FAM - prepared a delicious luncheon before the business planners departed.
Forty-Five professional tour operators and group leaders representing 22 companies from seven states around the Midwest participated in the Circle Wisconsin FAM Tour.
Circle Wisconsin is the statewide destination marketing organization that specifically promotes to the motorcoach group travel industry. The MAVCB
is a member of this organization.
VIC Volunteer Holiday Party 2007
A SALUTE TO THE VIC VOLUNTEERS
Manitowoc, WI – The Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau (MAVCB) staff, board of directors and Marketing Partners saluted the VIC Volunteers with gifts, praise and recognition at the 14th Annual VIC Volunteer Party held December 11, 2007, at the Holiday Inn.
According to Kathleen Galas, President, the volunteers have donated 32,830 hours to the VIC since it opened in 1993, a savings of over $400,000 for the MAVCB. The volunteers greeted 685,420 visitors at the Manitowoc VIC; have met and greeted carferry passengers over 2100 times; have distributed over 2.5 million pieces of literature; and have stuffed and labeled 146,750 Manitowoc Area Discovery Guides for mailings in response to inquiries.
Heather Allard, new Visitor Services Coordinator for the MAVCB, praised the VIC volunteers for their valuable tourism services to the Manitowoc County Tourism industry. “We operate at high intensity levels and offer many services to visitors at the VIC and at the Carferry dock. The VIC Volunteers are an invaluable asset to everyone. We couldn't do this without their help.”
The VIC Volunteers were presented with poinsettias from the MAVCB Board, City of Manitowoc and City of Two Rivers; gift certificates from the MAVCB Marketing Partners for front desk helpers; and a free round trip on the S.S. Badger Carferry to the Carferry greeters. The Wilson Jr. High Crescendo choir provided entertainment.
The top five Office Volunteers with the most hours for the 2007 year are:
Howard Schmitz (410), Judy Doerfler (157), Norb Vogt (142), Mary Hronek (139), Paul Marquardt (134).
The top five Carferry Greeters with the most hours for the 2007 season are:
Alice Weyenberg (60) Nancy Hartfield (38) Sophie Schuenemann (35) Pat Courtright (33) Ruth Heili and Sandy Yelmene (29 each)
Photo from left to right: Roy and Joyce LaDuke, Del and Ione Brick, Alice Weyenberg, Mary Hoyer, La Verne Weber, Eunice Mella, Sophie Schuenemann, Lois Williams, Lorraine Schwartz, Ruth Heili, Shirley Eucke, Pat Courtright, Betty Franz, Kate Lambries, Sue Daffner, Barb Koch, Sandy Yelmene, Marlene Longmeyer, Paul Marquardt, Janice Waier, Nancy Hartfield, Judy Doerfler, Anna Fechner, Bob Hinesh (staff), Karen Yelmene (staff), Kathleen Galas (staff), Heather Allard (staff), Florence and Syd Herman (seated).
Changes in MAVCB Staff
Karen Yelmene, former MAVCB Visitor Services Coordinator, stepped into the position that Katie vacated and is now our new Administrative Assistant. Karen is responsible for all accounting procedures and assists with the production of the 2008 Manitowoc-Two Rivers Discovery Guide, as well as personal assistant to Kathleen Galas, MAVCB President.
Heather Allard
Heather is responsible for the operations of the Visitor Information Center and the Carferry Dock and oversees our 45-member VIC Volunteer Corp. She also maintains our website, and answers thousands of inquiries for visitor information.
Cruise Ships Visit
The ACCL ship Grande Mariner Cruise Ship docked in the Manitowoc harbor on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at about 5 am, and departed about 7 pm. The MAVCB staff worked with Horizon Travel to create an itinerary for an Elderhostel preformed group. They visited the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, the Rahr-West Art Museum, and did some shopping and other touring on their own. Some went by cab and the City Transit system. Staff Karen Yelmene and volunteer Judy Doerfler boarded the ship, handed out maps, brochures, and visitor guides. Karen gave a brief welcome and overview. Both Judy and Karen were on hand to answer questions from passengers.
The Cruise West ship the "Spirit of Nantucket" Cruise Ship docked in the Manitowoc harbor Thursday August 9, 2007 at about 12pm and again on
Monday August 13, 2007 at about 10am. Each time the cruise ship was here just for the day. The passengers toured the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and toured Historic Downtown Manitowoc on their own. MAVCB staff Karen Yelmene greeted the cruise ship both times. Karen handed out maps, brochures and visitor guides, and answered any questions from the passengers.
