Economic Impact of Eco Tourism: Year-round Destinations

An Innovative Cities Lecture

Local events play a powerful role in strengthening city economies, generating activity from day trips to overnight stays. This session highlights how two Wisconsin communities attract visitors, host more than 80 events annually, and measure both economic and community impact.

Visit Eau Claire drives economic growth by expanding travel and tourism through destination marketing, strategic development, and strong community partnerships. Serving a wide range of markets—from convention delegates to sports groups and family leisure travelers—they operate year-round to support downtown businesses through targeted grants and marketing initiatives.

As a Wisconsin Main Street Community, the Downtown Racine Corporation produces more than 80 events each year. Each event is intentionally designed—free or ticketed—to draw visitors in every season with distinctive programming. Using attendance data, staff prepare detailed impact reports that document economic benefits and show where visitors come from.

Biographies

Kenzi Havlicek serves as the Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire, where she leads efforts to showcase and promote the incredible community she calls home. With a passion for highlighting Eau Claire’s vibrant arts, culture, music, and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, she works closely with community partners and alongside the talented Visit Eau Claire team to share the story of the Chippewa Valley.

Her marketing journey began at Iowa State University, where an internship promoting hospitality and tourism ignited her lifelong passion for business and marketing. After graduating, she joined Visit Eau Claire as a Social Media Specialist and, over the past 15 years, has steadily advanced within the organization to her current role as Executive Director.

Kenzi values collaboration and teamwork, believing that the strongest results come from working together to make the community the best it can be. She is actively involved in both the community and the tourism industry, serving on the Pablo Center at the Confluence Council and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Eau Claire Committee. At the state level, she serves on the Destinations Wisconsin Marketing Committee and the Travel Wisconsin Marketing Committee. She also contributes nationally through Destination International’s 30 Under 30 Alumni Committee. Kenzi takes great pride in promoting Eau Claire every day, a place she considers a true gem of arts, culture, and outdoor adventure.

Kelly Kruse is an accomplished creative professional and community leader with an MFA in Graphic Design and a strong passion for urban revitalization and visual storytelling. She serves as the Executive Director of the Downtown Racine Corporation, where she leads transformative programming, public art initiatives, and over 80 annual events that enrich the cultural and economic vitality of the district. In her role, she also manages Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) for both Downtown Racine and Douglas Avenue, helping local businesses thrive and shaping vibrant public spaces.

In addition to her leadership in community development, Kelly is an Assistant Professor at Carthage College, where she inspires the next generation of graphic designers by bridging professional practice with academic insight. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to blend strategic vision with creative innovation, making a lasting impact both in the classroom and throughout the Racine community.

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