As the director at the Green County Tourism office, I get along very well with the rest of the staff. That’s a joke — because I’m an office of one.
I share a copy machine across the hall at Green County Development Corporation, so I wander over for copies or chit chat with Cara and Mary Jane. Since tourism is economic development, some of my visits are actually work related. My friend Diane, the Cheese Days office manager, helps me by proofreading, stuffing envelopes and listening to ideas. But for the most part in my role as director for Green County Tourism, I’m the “chief, cook and bottle washer.” Which means doing everything from the most important tasks to the smallest, most menial tasks.
So this month, I’m using my multitasking abilities for a self-interview.
What’s your background?
Bachelor degree in business with emphasis in marketing.
How did you get started in tourism?
I saw a newspaper ad, which now seems very old school. My first position in 2001 was managing a heritage tourism grant through Wisconsin Department of Tourism. At the time, Green County’s community resource agent at University of Wisconsin-Extension was doing some tourism in addition to his primary job. When the grant funding was reduced, I was asked to take over as half-time tourism coordinator. It transitioned to full time county director in 2005.
What do you like most about your job?
Because of the how the position started, I was able to shape it into what it is today. I do just about everything the state tourism office does — but on a much, much (much!) smaller scale. Publications, maps, event calendar, budget, public relations, advertising, web sites, content marketing and more. I enjoy the variety. I enjoy having the autonomy to take on new initiatives. I do some of the graphic design and most of the writing.
What’s not to like?
Selling ads for the Green County Visitor Guide is overwhelming and requires hundreds of phone calls and emails. I want each participating business to shine, so if we’re creating their ad I dig in and find what’s unique, sometimes pulling in a photographer to help tell the story. The final step is generating invoices and bookkeeping; a repetitive and boring process.
Who’s your boss?
I answer to an oversight committee of five Green County board members and two citizen member appointees.
How has tourism marketing changed since you’ve been involved?
When I started, Green County was among the first Wisconsin destinations to have a dedicated tourism website. I’ve witnessed the launch and growth of social media as a tourism marketing platform, and with that the need for digital assets and online content. It used to be that if you could afford network TV advertising, you’d have a captive (but very diverse) audience for your message. Then along came Netflix, with no ads at all. Now there’s online programmatic advertising where you’re buying a specific audience with targeted interests. However, with so many messages being generated in so many ways, the competition is fierce.
Does having a job in tourism mean you get to travel?
Sometimes. A number of years ago I was asked to join in on a Wisconsin Department of Tourism travel writer/media tour in New York City. But usually it’s closer to home, like walking over from my office to Baumgartner’s for an afternoon with “Limburger Queen” Stephanie Klett, now former Wisconsin Tourism Secretary, or driving to Wisconsin Dells for a tourism conference. When I’m planning my own vacations, I’m always looking for inspiration from websites, travel blogs and visitor guides.
— Noreen Rueckert is director for Green County Tourism, executive director for Green County Cheese Days, and helps out with Main Street Monroe’s Concerts on the Square. Her favorite cheese is rumored to be Feta. She has the best office in the county – overlooking Monroe’s Square from the tower of the Historic Green County Courthouse. She dabbles in photography and graphic design, adores cats and iced coffee, and secretly loves the Cheese Days Song.
