 | From cocktail secrets to mustard mysteries, State Street sights to sassy cows, the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has been hard at work addressing the need for tourism offerings that go beyond typical sightseeing. Now, the GMCVB invites visitors to fully immerse themselves in hands-on adventure with Essential Madison Experiences, a collection of brand new, only-in-Madison experiences. Developed in partnership with the GMCVB, nine Dane County businesses created one or more authentic experiences to take meeting and convention groups behind-the-scenes of favorite attractions and showcase the best that the greater Madison area has to offer. Experiences include: |
- Bitters Boot Camp – Avenue Club & Bubble Up Bar
- Build a Wisconsin Cheese Board – The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club
- Paint Madison with Wheelhouse Studios, Paddle to the Point, Winter Walk with Wisconsin Union (three separate experiences) – Wisconsin Union
- Mustard Bites: A Tasteful Adventure – National Mustard Museum
- Distillery Tour – Death’s Door Distillery
- Stroll Down State - Capital City Food Tours
- Garden to Glass: Totally Tropical – Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Meet the Sassy Cows – Sassy Cow Creamery
- Gardens to Glass: Iconic Olbrich Botanical Gardens – Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- A Betty Lou View of Madison – Betty Lou Cruises
Partners collaborated with the GMCVB and Joe Veneto of Opportunities Unlimited to produce the experiences over a seven-month period. The process included development, scripting, staging, and training of staff and guides. Partners also participated in thorough testing of the experiences to ensure that each offering was unforgettable and fully interactive – participants won’t be sitting on the sidelines here.
“Meetings and conference attendees want engaging and immersive experiences in the destinations that they visit,” remarked Veneto. “Essential Madison Experiences provide attendees with unforgettable experiences that are authentic, unique and local. For planners, the GMCVB has made it easy to design and deliver a successful experiential meeting!”
The new website experiencemsn.com has video and photo previews of the Essential Madison Experiences. One classic Madison restaurant offers a unique experience to introduce visitors to Wisconsin’s favorite drink: the Old Fashioned. Enlist in Bitters Boot Camp at the Avenue Club and Bubble-Up Bar and learn the ins and outs of this iconic cocktail. Participants will sample several versions of the Old Fashioned and craft their own unique bitters from an array of spices, herbs and flavors.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens invites groups to escape to the tropics and explore the Bolz Conservatory. Participants will get an insider’s view of this indoor, tropical oasis and learn about stories, people, and some of the 650 species of plants that made the Conservatory special. Guests will finish with a signature drink created from ingredients within the garden.
Essential Madison Experiences are available for groups, including conventions, meetings, motorcoach groups, and reunions. Individuals and small groups will be able to take part in regularly scheduled drop-in events set up by each partner.
For more information and to book your first experience, visit experiencemsn.com. Images are available upon request.
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