The new ballpark name will be called American Family Field in an announcement yesterday from American Family Insurance.  The new name will take effect January 1, 2021.  According to Jack Salzwedel, American Family chair and chief executive officer, “The name is short, simple and sweet with its alliteration of ‘family’ and ‘field’. The words ‘American Family’ capture our brand and reflect the family-orientated atmosphere that our research showed fans clearly value in the ballpark.”
The report goes on to mention that In addition to the renaming of the ballpark in Milwaukee, American Family also acquired naming rights to the Brewers spring training complex in Maryvale, Arizona. The complex, which completed an extensive renovation last year, is being renamed American Family Fields of Phoenix.
#visitmilwaukee  #milwaukeebrewers  #americanfamilyfield
Photo credit: Visit Milwaukee

Many businesses have been waiting to see if they will be in the security perimeter that will exist during the Democratic National Convention, July 13-16 in Milwaukee.  Officials released the security perimeter today.  They also stated that no businesses would be forced to close as a result of this secured area.  The area below outlined in orange is the secured perimeter.  
#DNCMKE  #visitmilwaukee  

It's that time of the year when Cafe Benelux unveils the Ice Bars in Milwaukee.  This will be done in conjunction with Gallery Night which opens on Friday, January 17 in the trendy Third Ward.  According to a recent news report by Fox 6, 'A large bar and throne made of ice will be installed by Art Below Zero in front of Café Benelux on North Broadway'.  Here is a link to Gallery Night so you can check out all the galleries that are participating and other activities going on in the Third Ward.    

​The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be here  in 185 days, 12 hours and 52 minutes, but whose counting! This anticipated convention will showcase Milwaukee to the world and we want to help you plan your event over the DNC.  Michael Greco, Director of Business Development at PRA Business Events along with our team at Dm-Connection & Events have many resources to assist with your planning efforts: transportation, decor, entertainment, staffing, etc.  We look forward to working with you!
#visitmilwaukee #eventprofs #dmconnectionandevents
#PRAbusinessevents  #DNCMKE

Milwaukeeans already know that our city is a hidden gem and the best kept secret with our Fresh Coast. We are ready to showcase our city to the world when Milwaukee hosts the Democratic National Convention July 13-16, 2020. 

​Forbes just published their US list of 25 best places to travel and Milwaukee made that list.  
You can read the entire article here.  

I had the opportunity to take a hard hat tour of the Brookfield Conference Center earlier this week and was extremely impressed with the overall size of the conference center and also how fast everything is coming together.  Two days after taking my photos, the carpeting in the Connect Ballroom was already down.  The Connect Ballroom is 18,000 sq. ft. and can break out into eight different configurations.  There is a Collaborate Ballroom of 6,000 sq. ft and Celebration Plaza (outdoors) of 9,000 sq. ft which connects to the 168 room Hilton Garden Inn hotel to the center.  
The Center boasts a state-of-the art kitchen - $1.8 million was invested in this to help cut down on labor costs.  They have a dishwasher that can handle 300 dishes per minute and have the highest quality ovens.   Another nice bonus is the free parking surrounding the conference center with 1,200 parking spots and options for additional parking as needed.  There is a lot of natural light coming in the center with windows all around the building, which is something attendees enjoy.   
​You can look at artist renderings, floorplans and suggested menus online here 
Contact Dm-Connection & Events to book your next event in this new space, it offers many options for creativity and themed events!    
#brookfieldfonferencecenter  #visitbrookfield   #dmconnectionandevents

The Wisconsin Center District recently announced they will have its architect, construction manager and other key players named soon.  The plan is to have the team assembled by year end according to Mike Abrams, senior director at Denver-based CAA Icon, which the center's  district hired to oversee the project. The preliminary timeline is to have a vote in April 2020 on financing with the project starting late 2020 or early 2021.  A recent report from Crossroads Consulting Services and Populous recommended the main exhibit space, ballroom and smaller meeting rooms, which now total 265,800 square feet, be expanded to 422,800 to 437,800 square feet.  Crossroads estimates that visitor spending of $69 million would increase to $100 to $109 million within three years of the expansion's completion.  Jobs now estimated at 900 would eventually increase to around 1,300 to 1,500 according to the report.  
#visitmilwaukee  #wcd  #conventioncenterexpansion  #eventprofs
photo credit:  Wisconsin Center

USA Gymnastics recently announced the 2020 American Cup, The USA's most prestigious international gymnastics competition will make it's first visit to Milwaukee on Saturday, March 7th, 2020.  The Nastia Liukin Cup will be held the night before for 36 Junior Olympic gymnasts.  "Milwaukee has a strong connection to USA Gymnastics" said Raj Saha, Fiserv Forum general manager.  Two Milwaukee area gymnasts have won American Cup titles, in 2004, Paul Hamm, won the all-around and went on to claim the 2004 Olympic all-around gold.  Chelsie Memmel won the uneven bars title and went on to become the 2005 World-all-around champion, as well as earn the 2008 Olympic team silver medal, according to USA Gymnastics.  This is the first time the all-around World Cup Series has been involved in the Olympic qualification process.   You can read more about the American Cup including ticket prices for the event here.  
Photo of Simone Biles in 2016 Rio American Cup courtesy of USA Gymnastics.    

The Lux Domes sitting on top of Café Benelux (located in Milwaukee's Third Ward) were so popular last year they sold out in hours.  This year the reservations start on Black Friday (November 29th).  The only way to have early access is to sign up for the Lowlander email.  An email will be sent out with links to the online reservation system 24 hours in advance before it goes public.  
​You can sign up here for the emails.  
According to a recent news report from Fox 6, 'Each $200, 90-minute reservation for eight includes a complimentary drink package as well as special keepsake mugs for guests, with the ability to add on a variety of additional festive food and beverage packages', the release said.
What a unique and fun way to celebrate the Holidays in Milwaukee by sitting outdoors in a heated Dome.
​#visitmilwaukee #luxdomes #cafebenelux      

Golf fans know the Ryder Cup will be coming to Whistling Straits September 22-27, 2020.  The impact this tournament will have on Wisconsin is huge.  Tournament organizers have said they expect 50,000 people per day to be watching the tournament and the overall economic impact of $135 million dollars to the region.  
Although the Ryder Cup is just under a year away, that impact is already being felt around the state with tee times being booked up already at other top courses around the area like, Erin Hills, home of the 2017 US Open.  The Bog in Saukville and Geneva National in Lake Geneva have had strong interest in booking tee times over the week of the Ryder Cup.   You can read the entire article here.  
Check out the drone flyover of the Whistling Straits course for the Ryder Cup 2020
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