Tourism Council

Mission Statement

The Whitewater Tourism Council markets the Whitewater area as a tourism destination. The tourism Council will promote new and existing attractions and events by providing resources according to Council policy.

Purpose

The purpose of the WWTC is as an advisory committee to assist in promoting new and existing tourism initiatives. WWTC will market Whitewater as a tourism destination by communicating the themes of local history, culture, area attractions and events to targeted market segments. .

State Definition of Tourism

66.0615(1)(fm) "Tourism promotion and development" means any of the the following that are significantly used by transient tourists and reasonably likely to generate paid overnight stays at more than one establishment.

2021 Whitewater Tourism Council

The WWTC is to be made up of a cross section of business and organizations serving tourists. lodging, retail, restaurant, UW Whitewater, Park and Recreations

Industry Representation:

  • President Therese Kennedy – UWWW Recreation & Sports Facility
  • Secretary Michelle Dujardin – City of Whitewater Parks & Rec
  • Member Kae Shisler – Lodging Property
  • Member Dave Saalsaa – Retail/Outdoor Sporting Goods
  • Member Andy Whitney – Ice Age Trail Alliance
  • Member Steve Johnson – Bicycling Advocate
  • Member Katy Grady – Restaurant – Chamber Representative

Staff:

  • Kellie Carper – Executive Director
  • Mary Cottle – Coordinator of Operations & Events
  • Katy Wimer – Content Creator

Liaisons:

  • DownTown Whitewater Inc,
  • Chamber Board,
  • Community Development Authority,
  • Common Council

Our Blog

Get to Know Us

Therese Kennedy

President – UW Whitewater Recreation and Sports

Therese is the Associate Director of Recreation Sports & Facilities at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She has served the community since 1991. Therese is a member of the following groups and organizations: Downtown Whitewater Inc. Promotions Committee, UW- Whitewater Community Optimist Club Member and Past President, Tip Off Club Board Member, Quarterback Club Board Member, UW-Whitewater Women’s Sports Foundation Board Member, Whitewater High School Athletic Booster Club, and Whitewater Community foundation.

Michelle Dujardin

Michelle Dujardin

Secretary – Whitewater Park and Recreations

I have selected to be part of the Tourism Council so that I can invest in Whitewater and be allowed the chance to give back in an array of different capacities. I have enjoyed every minute of my commitment and I'm very excited to continue my passion of giving back.


Michelle is Recreation and Community Events Programmer for the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department since October of 2007. Michelle is primarily responsible for programing oversight including; adult volleyball, preschool programs, youth sports, summer camp, and special events.

Kae Shisler

Kae Shisler

Council Member – Lodging

Kae lives in Milton with her Husband Mike and dog Harlo. Spending time with her immediate and extended

family is extremely important to Kae. Kae has been in the hotel business since 1977 working her way up from a desk clerk to a general manager.  Kae has worked for mainly Holiday Inn Express hotels but had an opportunity to be closer to home and open a new hotel in Whitewater.  It has been a great challenge opening a new hotel, working for a new brand all during COVID, but one Kae and her team have embraced. They are very happy to be part of the Whitewater community. Kae grew up in Black River Falls and worked at the Holiday Inn Express there when she first became involved with a Chamber of Commerce and found interest in how a community could grow tourism with the occupancy tax dollars the hotels would be collecting. Kae served on the Black River Chamber of Commerce Board for 6 years. Kae moved on from that hotel and community and has not had the opportunity, until now, to participate on a chamber or tourism board.  Kae is happy to be part of the Whitewater Tourism Board and looks forward to learning more about Whitewater and finding new ways to bring people to this beautiful community.

Katie Grady

Katy Grady

Council Member – Restaurant / Chamber of Commerce Rep

In January 2020, Katie Grady became the new co-owner of the Culver’s in Whitewater. Katie graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. For the past 10 years, Katie has lived in the area with her husband and two daughters! She looks forward to being involved in the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce and Whitewater Tourism Council.

Andy Whitney

Andy Whitney

Council Member – Ice Age Trail Alliance, Walworth / Jefferson County Chapter

After I retired from Scot Forge I become an Ice Age trail Volunteer. Two years Later I accepted the Coordinator position of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter. I moved to the Whitewater area to be closer to the Ice age Trail & fell in love with Whitewater. The city of Whitewater soon became a Trail Community & I was honored when they asked me to sit on the Tourism Council to integrate the beauty & activities of Ice Age Trail with the responsibilities  of the Tourism Council. I look forward to this lasting partnership. – Andy

Steve Johnson

Coming Soon:

Steve Johnson

Council Member – Cycling Advocate

Coming Soon:

Dave Saalsaa

Council Member – Retail

thin
Kellie Carper

Kellie Carper

Executive Director

Kellie Carper brings to the chamber and tourism council a passion for building relationships and actively serving the communities she calls home. She grew up in the Geneva Lakes area spending time in Fontana and Lake Geneva as a youth. Her family left the area during her high school days, but as is with most Wisconsinites she happily returned with her family in 2004. She has been a resident of Walworth County for over 15 years returning home to Lake Geneva to raise her children. Her daughter is a student at UWW and her son will be following his sister’s footsteps to campus in the next couple of years. Kellie joins the chamber and the Whitewater community with a background in hospitality, higher education, and small business management. She enjoys being a tourist in her own state exploring all that it has to offer. Kellie looks forward to supporting the business community in Whitewater, fostering growth, and creating engaging opportunities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy its rich history and friendly culture

Mary Cottle

Coordinator of Operations & Events

Mary joins the Chamber with many years of customer service and tourism experience. Her background includes work with a major domestic and international airline, restaurants, community services, and school services. She was born and raised in California but moved to Wisconsin in 2004 and has embraced the hometown hospitality found in the Midwest. Mary enjoys exploring the communities of Walworth county and beyond and is thrilled to be able to have an impact on Whitewater. She is an avid supporter of small businesses and enjoys helping locals and visitors alike learn about the communities she calls home.

Katy Wimer

Katy Wimer

Content Creator

Katy Daixon Wimer is a writer, photographer, and healing artist who lives out by Whitewater Lake in a cozy home with her husband and two cats. Owner of local businesses katy daixon photography and Wise Moon Healing Arts, Katy enjoys writing about/capturing the natural world. She's an avid hiker and a big fan of supporting local.


Katy serves as Content Creator and Blogger for Discover Whitewater because she wants to encourage others to explore the beauty and magic of Whitewater that she witnesses on a daily basis.



Get our Newsletter!

By clicking "Sign Up" I agree to the Terms of Service.