Tourism Grant Supports Fat Tire Bike Festival in Rome
Image by : Jeffrey Bertch | Links & Landscape Photography
ROME, Wis. (Oct. 31, 2019) – Visit Rome is gearing up for their inaugural Rome Fat Bike Fest taking place February 28 - March 1, 2020 at Sand Valley. With help from a $7,350 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, organizers will be marketing the event to fat tire bikers from across Wisconsin and the North-Central Midwest.
“Biking is a big tourism draw in Wisconsin. Last year, our state hosted over 150 bicycling events and we continue to see the popularity of this sport rise thanks to trends like fat tire biking,” said Tourism Secretary-Designee Sara Meaney. “Rome Fat Bike Fest is a great way for biking enthusiasts to explore the town’s ancient sand dunes and one-of-a-kind trail system.”
Located in Central Wisconsin, Rome is home to naturally occurring sand dunes that create a unique terrain for fat tire biking and a year-round destination for the sport. Rome Fat Bike Fest will be a competitive event for experienced riders, but also provide activities for novice fat bikers..
“We are excited to be partnering with the Department of Tourism and regional bike shop, Wheel & Sprocket, to create a whole weekend of fun in the Town of Rome,” shares Visit Rome’s Executive Director - Cameryn Kwaterski. Rome’s competitive fat tire bike event will be the sixth and final race in Wheel & Sprocket’s “Hugh Jass” Series. The wildly popular winter series explores the parks and trails of the Midwest using a fat tire bike and encourages all ages and abilities of riders to experience fat tire biking.
“This is Visit Rome’s first JEM Grant Award. We look forward to working with the Department of Tourism to reach an even greater audience for our event. It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts to create a year-round fat tire bike destination here in the Town of Rome,” said Kwaterski.
In 2018, the tourism economy in Wisconsin totaled $21.6 billion, supporting 199,073 jobs. Visitors generated $1.6 billion in state and local revenue. Business sales in Adams County totaled $218.6 million in 2018, supporting 2,186 jobs and more than $24.3 million in state and local taxes.
In fiscal year 2019, the Department funded 62 JEM projects, awarding a total of more than $1.1 million. Visitor expenditures driven by the marketing from these projects will exceed $61 million. JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for the promotion of Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. The state can fund up to 75 percent of a project's first-year advertising and marketing costs and provide support for second- and third-year projects with decreasing amounts for funding until projects become self-sustaining. For information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit industry.travelwisconsin.com.
To learn more about Wheel & Sprocket’s Hugh Jass Series or to register for the event, visit : http://hughjass.bike/#home-race
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kristina LeVan, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
608-266-0458; klevan@travelwisconsin.com
Cameryn Kwaterski
715-325-3090; visitromewi@gmail.com
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