STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Take a victory lap, Stevens Point.
Mayor Mike Wiza and many other leaders can finally breathe after pulling off both Riverfront Rendezvous and the USGA Men’s Senior Open on the same weekend. Just how big of a win this will be for the city remains to be seen as hotel tax and sales tax revenues come in. “The only thing we can directly measure is room tax money. We can tell that once those quarterly reports come out,” said Wiza. “We are also asking businesses to voluntarily submit some information so we know how well we did as a community so we can put that information out there.”
Those metrics include year-over-year sales numbers for the same week from 2022. Wiza says they want to know if businesses did significantly better, or if there was no change. That will allow them to get a good feel for what the impact was.
Estimates had shown that Central Wisconsin as a whole could see $20 million.
Wiza adds that his last words to the USGA reps as they were leaving town on Monday included an invitation to come back sometime soon. “We are willing and able to host any of [their] other events. I am not privy to the negotiations here at SentryWorld with the USGA or anyone else. But once we land those, we are all in.”
He does feel that the city made a good impression on the golfers and tournament officials this week with many noting that the course was well-groomed and parking was easy. Support from the community doesn’t hurt either as many restaurants and stories rolled out welcome mats for the golfers and everyone else involved with the tournament.
“We are making a good impression. I know the community has stepped up. It’ll be varying degrees of success for everyone I’m sure but having the community’s full support, and inviting everyone to have a good time in our community, that goes a long way when the decision-makers choose where they want to have their next event,” added Wiza.
As for what to do in Stevens Point this week, Wiza says their usual live music performances are all on tap. They’re also ready to welcome the nearby Iola Car Show and Swap Meet this weekend.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- USGA wrap
8:10- Return to “business as usual”
10:20- Upcoming economic development projects
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