As part of a broader marketing effort designed to attract business, convention and leisure travelers to the city, VISIT Milwaukee has unveiled an immersive video series and two 30-second commercials designed to showcase the city and celebrate its citizens. Released on Aug. 13 and 14, the virtual and commercial video projects come on the heels of the announcement that the 2020 Democratic National Convention, originally set for Aug. 17-20 at Wisconsin Center, will be taking place virtually. 

The four-day event, which was expected to bring approximately 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee, will remain anchored at Wisconsin Center, where official convention activities will still take place. However, guests and segments will be streamed in from across the country. According to news reports, the change came after Mayor Tom Barrett implemented a 225-person limit on people assembling in one place due to coronavirus. 

Despite the loss of convention visitors, VISIT Milwaukee is seizing the opportunity of being in the global spotlight to elevate the destination’s perception by using the power of video to tell its story.

“There’s nothing like being in Milwaukee in person, of course, but we also know this year is unlike any other,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “These videos provide a look at our city through the eyes of the people who know it best from across the community, and we couldn’t be prouder to provide this experience to the visitors who couldn’t visit in person this summer, including DNC delegates, donors and members of the press.” 

She added that in the midst of the pandemic, many destination organizations like VISIT Milwaukee have had to reimagine how they promote their communities. 

Created to allow visitors to explore the city from the safety of home, the narrated video series comprises 30 vignettes featuring passionate Milwaukeeans sharing their thoughts about what makes their city such a unique and energizing place.  

“We began planning this video series six weeks ago when we realized that a lot of the convention would be virtual, even though we didn’t know then how much would,” explained Claire Koenig, senior media relations manager at VISIT Milwaukee. “We plan to use these videos far beyond the DNC — we’ll be using them for virtual site visits, to promote the city to prospective meeting planners and to send to leisure travel journalists when coming here in person isn’t feasible.” 

Created by Milwaukee agency Hanson Dodge, the two commercial spots, titled “Unique Unites” and “Powered by the People,” showcase the innovative, diverse and dynamic people and institutions that make the Milwaukee community so vibrant.

Featuring performances by local musicians SistaStrings and Milwaukee’s Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton, as well as footage of Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, the short clips tell the story of Milwaukee as a welcoming and modern community filled with civic-minded people with progressive Midwestern values. 

VISIT Milwaukee plans to widely disseminate the commercial clips during the DNC to attendees, virtual delegates, caucus members and via social channels, according to CVB officials. 

“Now more than ever, it is important to showcase what makes Milwaukee unique through a powerful, positive message that encourages viewers from all over the world to take a closer look at Milwaukee and come experience it for themselves,” Williams-Smith said. 

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