Madison — One of Wisconsin’s largest tourism organizations is thanking one of their strongest voices in Madison. On Monday, Representative Joel Kitchens was awarded the “Key to Hospitality Award” from the Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association (WHLA) as a part of its Stars of the Industry Luncheon in Milwaukee. Representative Kitchens says he is thrilled to receive the award.
“I am very honored to receive the inaugural Key to Hospitality Award,” Kitchens said, “I thoroughly believe that the hotel and lodging industry is not just vital to our state’s economy but in building strong family relationships and the work ethic that will take us into the future.”
For nearly 130 years, the WHLA has represented hotel and lodging operators throughout the state. It is now the sixth-largest organization of its type in the nation. Kitchens says he expects the WHLA to continue to grow.
“I don’t need to tell anyone that people love visiting Wisconsin. In fact, tourism is one of the biggest industries in our state making a $23.7 billion impact and creating nearly 200,000 full and part-time jobs – many of those in the hotel and lodging industry,” Kitchens said, “It’s estimated that for every $1 invested, $7 comes back to the state.”
In the biannual state budget, Representative Kitchens fought for a 7.5% funding increase for tourism. He also helped create an Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund to help bring major events to Wisconsin. That fund is seeded with $10 million to help get it off the ground.
Representative Kitchens represents Door, Kewaunee, and parts of Brown County.
