Bring High-Impact Opportunities to Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a competitive destination for major events, opportunities, and activations that generate tourism, visibility, and economic impact. 

Through the Opportunity Attraction Fund (OAF) Sponsorship, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partners with organizations to attract opportunities that bring visitors, drive spending, and elevate Wisconsin's reputation nationwide.

WEDC partners with organizations to bring high-impact opportunities to Wisconsin and maximize their statewide economic impact.

How Sponsorship Works

WEDC provides flexible sponsorship support tailored to opportunity size, audience reach, and projected impact.

Attract Opportunities to Wisconsin

Strengthen competitive bids and bring new events and activations to the state.

Host Opportunities in Wisconsin

Enhance execution, marketing, and overall impact of opportunities already secured.

Proven Impact Across Wisconsin

600,000+ ATTENDEES

NFL Draft — Green Bay

$1M+ ECONOMIC IMPACT

World Snowshoe Championships — Ariens Nordic Center

3,000+ PARTICIPANTS

Junior Gold Championships — Green Bay Region

High-impact opportunities drive visitation, economic activity, and statewide visibility.

Eligibility

You may be a fit for OAF Sponsorship if your opportunity:

✔ Is taking place in Wisconsin
✔ Attracts visitors from outside the state
✔ Competes with other locations or regions
✔ Generates economic activity (lodging, dining, retail, etc.)
✔ Provides regional or national visibility
✔ Has a defined organizer or partner entity

Eligible organizations include:

  • Local governments (cities, villages, towns, counties)
  • Tribal governments
  • Destination marketing organizations (DMOs)
  • Business improvement districts
  • Private opportunity or event organizers

What Makes a Strong Opportunity

WEDC prioritizes opportunities that:

  • Attract out-of-state visitors and participants
  • Generate media and marketing exposure
  • Drive local economic activity
  • Enhance Wisconsin’s brand and visibility
  • Deliver a compelling and well-executed experience

Proven Impact Across Wisconsin

Wisconsin has successfully partnered to attract and host high-impact opportunities that generate tourism, economic activity, and national visibility.

World Snowshoe Championships – Ariens Nordic Center

An international competition attracting global participants and generating more than $1 million in local economic impact.

NFL Draft – Green Bay

More than 600,000 attendees and significant statewide economic benefit, positioning Wisconsin on a national stage.

Junior Gold Championships – Green Bay Region

A large-scale participatory opportunity drawing thousands of athletes and visitors while activating multiple communities.