ABOUT US
The Tourism Federation of Wisconsin was established in 1979 (formerly named the Wisconsin Tourism Federation). Most of TFW's efforts have been devoted to the passage of legislation supportive of the tourism industry.
While tourism initiatives have come from various administrations, individual legislators, the Governor's Council on Tourism and the industry, TFW's lobbying efforts at the State Capitol and at the grassroots level, have been the determining factor for the final passage or defeat of initiatives of concern to the industry.
TFW Successes
- Lobbying for increased tourism promotional funding which reached $15 million in the most recent 2011-13 biennium.
- Passing and maintaining a law mandating the Wisconsin K-12 schools begin classes after September 1st unless granted a waiver from the Department of Public Instruction.
- Passing room tax reform laws which dedicate room tax for tourism promotion and development as well as caps room tax fees at 8%.
- Lobbying regarding the Specific Information Sign (SIS) and Tourist Oriented Directional Sign (TODS) programs.
- Passing assumed risk and landowner liability law changes.
- Passing a law which allows municipalities the authority to issue "Class C" wine licenses to restaurants.
- Passing a law mandating the University of Wisconsin System begin classes after September 1st.
- Playing an instrumental role in the promotion and development of regional convention centers such as the Midwest Express Center in the City of Milwaukee.
- Supporting a law to make Wisconsin smoke-free in public places.