This newsletter is being e-mailed to you as a service of the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) to keep you up-to-date on the latest services and service providers in Packer Country.

Our featured convention hotel this issue is:

Days Inn City Centre 406 N. Washington St. Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 435-4484

The newly renovated Days Inn City Centre – Green Bay is sure to make you feel right at home. Located in the heart of Green Bay, the Days Inn City Centre has beautiful views of the Fox River and river walk trail. The hotel features 98 comfortably furnished guest rooms, a state of the art business center, and complimentary high speed wireless internet. Guests can also enjoy the new exercise room, indoor pool, and whirlpool. Complimentary shuttle to Austin Straubel International Airport and Oneida Casino are also provided.

The Days Inn City Centre has meeting space for up to 300 people and can accommodate everything from general sessions to banquets. Across the street from the KI Convention Center, this hotel is an excellent candidate as an overflow property.

Our featured service provider this issue is:

Enchanted Florist 1682 Lime Kiln Road Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 468-0050 www.yourenchantedflorist.com

Enchanted Florist is a full service flower shop specializing in personalized customization of arrangements, plants and gift baskets. Enchanted Florist's team is always willing to go the extra mile to assure customer satisfaction by creating magical memories. They respond to your request by making sure your order is the finest possible, with a personal touch that graces every piece created. A perfect selection for your next convention!

Our featured attraction this issue is:

The Shops at Kettle Creek Crossing: The Artsy Crafter 2633 Development Dr. #10 Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 347-3474 www.theartsycrafter.com Nala's Fromagerie 2633 Development Dr. #30 Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 347-0334 www.nalascheese.com Wine Premiere 2633 Development Dr. #20 Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 347-9463 www.winepremiere.com

If you are looking for a truly unique off site group activity for your next convention, look to the shops at Kettle Creek Crossing. There you will find a store to bring out the artist in you, a European style cheese shop, and a stunning wine shop with over 1,000 varieties of wine. The Artsy Crafter, Nala’s Fromagerie, and Wine Premiere will work with you to plan a group outing of any size. From wine tasting to make and take craft classes, there are plenty of activities to satisfy everyone.

Did you know that the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau offers an array of complimentary services to groups hosting their meeting or convention in Greater
Green Bay? The Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau Sales and Service staff is here to help you with all aspects of your meeting planning. From transportation and registration to tours and off-site event planning assistance, our knowledgeable staff can help you find the right solutions to meet your group’s needs. Below are the services Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau can provide:

Online Housing Reservations
Organizations can utilize our automated Online Housing Reservation System. This convenient service allows your attendees to make their hotel reservations fast, easy and online through www.packercountry.com. Hotel reservation confirmations are sent immediately, so your attendees can feel at ease. This service is provided at no cost to the meeting planner. Benefits of the system include the ability to track room block pick up at all hotels utilized. It also eliminates the task of managing your attendees housing needs. The program is available for group of all sizes, whether utilizing one hotel or several hotels.

Registration
We can assist you with all your registration needs. For groups using 100 or more hotel room nights, the VCB offers services such as: pre-printed name badges, professional volunteer registration assistance, and visitor information packets. For groups of 400 or more attendees, the VCB is also happy to display its Packer Country information booth during your event in the convention facility.

Publicity
Upon request, the VCB will send your press release to the local media to help promote your event being held in Packer Country. When applicable, regional and state-wide releases can also be sent.

Welcome and Greeting
Besides helping you plan a successful meeting, making your delegates feel welcome is the most important mission of the Packer Country VCB. We would be happy to place welcome signs at Austin Straubel Airport and have our greeters on hand to extend a warm welcome and assist with transportation questions. Arrangements can also be made to have a city official write a welcome letter for your attendee welcome packets or give a personal welcome address at one of your functions.

Entertainment and Speakers
Whether you’re looking for a motivational speaker or a light-hearted act or vocal group, we can help. The Packer Country VCB has a wide variety of contacts to meet your needs.

Programs and Activities
The VCB is available to assist with a multitude of programs and can offer information and referrals in a variety of areas. Opportunities include golf tournaments; specialized arts, crafts, cooking and other hands-on activities; attraction tours and tour guides to areas of interest; fishing expeditions and other outdoor activities; spouse and children’s programs; shopping excursions; and bus transportation.

Meeting Planner Site Visits
The VCB will gladly coordinate site inspections of hotel properties and meeting facilities, including accommodation arrangements, agenda and staff escort.

Patti Drabes is the Group Services Manager at the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau. Patti looks forward to working with you and your organization in hosting a very successful meeting in Greater Green Bay. If you are interested in utilizing any of our complimentary services while your convention is in Packer Country, please contact Patti at: patti@packercountry.com or (920) 405-1159.

Hotel Happenings:

Cambria Suites is slated to open in early summer 2007. This new property is a hip, stylish new hotel brand from Choice Hotels and is located in the shadows of Lambeau Field. Green Bay is the second city to boast the new Choice Hotel brand. Holiday Inn – West is another new property opening in September 2007. It will feature 116 spacious guest rooms along with a full service restaurant and lounge.

The Howard Johnson Plaza and Conference Center was recently elevated from “Inn” to “Plaza” status. This was a result of winning the Gold Medal and President’s Circle awards for three consecutive years. Quality renovations and upgrades to the property were key in receiving the Plaza status. The Exel Inn of Green Bay has also completed several remodeling projects throughout the past two years. The Airport Settle Inn has undergone several renovations and changes including adding an elevator, business center, expanded breakfast selections, pillow top mattresses, new televisions, wireless internet, and remodeled bathrooms in all guest rooms. The Hampton Inn has completed a full renovation in the past year. Upgrades include an entirely new guest room experience topped off with Cloud 9 Bedding, a new business center, and all new carpeting throughout the hotel. The Best Western Midway Hotel, located a touchdown pass away from Lambeau Field, has gone smoke free on Fridays in the Bay City Smokehouse.

For more information on hotels and other happenings in Green Bay and the Lakeshore, please visit www.packercountry.com.

Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau is the official, accredited regional destination marketing organization committed to improving the visitor experience and increasing the economic impact of tourism for the Green Bay area, Oneida Nation, Algoma and Mishicot.

Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau, 1901 South Oneida St., Green Bay, WI 54307-0596
920-494-9507 or toll-free 888-867-3342