VISIT Milwaukee Promotes Sales and Services Team Members

VISIT Milwaukee has promoted Marissa Werner to senior sports & entertainment sales manager, Lauren Hyps to senior convention sales manager, and Michelle Haider to senior meeting & event services manager.

Since 2011, Werner has worked tirelessly to bring sports and entertainment meetings and events to the city of Milwaukee, including the NCAA Men's Basketball Championships, BIG EAST Volleyball Championships, PGA Championships, USA Gymnastics and USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. Throughout her 15 years of tourism experience, Werner has built long-standing relationships with sports groups around the country, making Milwaukee a popular destination for sports event planners. She was named a Game Changer by Connect Sports in 2016.

With over 20 years of hospitality and tourism experience, Lauren Hyps has been with VISIT Milwaukee since 2008, having previously worked at the Milwaukee Hyatt Regency and Pfister Hotel. In her role at VISIT, she has won major conventions for the region, including the National Governor’s Conference and the National Rifle Association. She was named an Industry Leader by Connect Association in 2016.  

“Marissa has been an asset to the sales team since joining VISIT and we are grateful for all of her work to bring millions of dollars in economic impact to Milwaukee,” said Jeff Baryenbruch, executive director of sales for VISIT Milwaukee. “Similarly, Lauren Hyps has showcased Milwaukee’s strengths to meeting planners of all types, which has resulted in hundreds of conventions and events for the City.”

Haider joined the VISIT team in 2011 as a convention services assistant and was promoted to convention services manager within weeks. Since then, she’s worked with hundreds of national conventions and events, and manages internal events for VISIT Milwaukee.

“After our sales team books an event in Milwaukee, meeting planners trust Michelle to connect them with partner businesses and resources. Michelle successfully leads our citywide efforts to ensure a warm welcome for our large and VIP conventions and events,” said Dave Larson, director of convention services for VISIT Milwaukee.

About VISIT Milwaukee: Celebrating 50 years in 2017, VISIT Milwaukee is the Greater Milwaukee area’s convention & visitors bureau, marketing the destination as a top choice for business, convention, and leisure travel to national and international visitors to increase the economic impact of tourism in the region. Each year, tourism supports over 50,000 full-time jobs and brings in over $5 billion to the community.  VISIT Milwaukee has over 680 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. The City of Wauwatosa, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.