Thinking about visiting Milwaukee? See why this weekend is a good time to do it



MILWAUKEE (WITI) It's National Tourism Week and Visit Milwaukee has teamed up with the mobile app Uber, which connects people with taxi drivers.

Places like Milwaukee's Public Market didn't get popular just because. It's taken a lot of hard work, as each market vendor will tell you.

"Little bit of grocery for everybody," said Anne Nehring, vendor.

Nehring will point out that their work includes building closer ties with organizations like Visit Milwaukee.

"I think they're becoming more aware of how important we are to bringing people to the city and how important it is to get people to the city," said Nehring.

Which is exactly the goal of National Tourism Week. Getting people to visit, and not just out of towners, but even people from across town.

"It could be from the suburbs, someone who doesn't get down here much.
The main focus is to have people come into the area and visit spots, they don't go to normally," said Paul Schwartz, market employee.

Well, how do we do that?

"Just open your smart phone app, you can see that the closest driver is three minutes away," said Nick Anderson.

On Saturday, visit Milwaukee teamed up with Uber, the mobile app that connects people with drivers. Uber has been in Milwaukee since February.

"Uber is another way to get around. We'd like to think we are creating a reliable, efficient, transportation option," said Anderson.

Uber gave app users unlimited free rides to about 15 Milwaukee hotspots, including Carnevor Steakhouse. Amar Kasheek says owners like himself need to embrace their local tourism groups, especially in the digital age.

"To the customers being able to make a review instantly on their phone and being able to spread it virally, you really have to be on your game and make sure every table is happy and every person that leaves is happy," said Kasheek.

Achieving this can put a business on course to becoming an uber-success.

Uber footed the bill for all of the free rides and National Tourism Week wraps up Sunday, May 11th.