Bids, Big Reach, and Big Thanks: Recapping the Success of the WHLA Online Auction!

The numbers are in, the final virtual gavels have fallen, and we are absolutely thrilled to declare the Getaway to Wisconsin Hotels Online Auction (June 8–12) a massive success!

​Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members and the enthusiasm of travelers across the state, this year’s summer auction blew past expectations. Every bid placed directly fuels the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association’s (WHLA) vital advocacy, education, and industry initiatives, ensuring Wisconsin’s lodging community continues to thrive.

The June Auction By The Numbers

This year featured a record-breaking response from both our donating properties and eager bidders looking for their next Wisconsin escape. Check out these incredible highlights:

• 60 Dynamic Auction Packages: From luxury city stays to cozy lakeside retreats, the variety of packages donated by our members was unmatched.
• 96 Motivated Bidders: Eager travelers from all over went head-to-head for a chance to score their dream getaways.
• 1,661 Total Bids: The competition was fierce! Bidders actively drove up the excitement—and the support for our industry—right up until the final minutes.

Building the Auction: A Collaborative Effort

The success of this year's auction began long before the first bid was placed. In the weeks leading up to the event, WHLA reached out to lodging properties, tourism organizations, and industry partners across Wisconsin to help build an unforgettable collection of getaway experiences. Their enthusiastic response resulted in one of our largest and most diverse auction lineups yet.

Once the auction was ready to launch, we went all in on promotion. A sneak peek email introduced the upcoming auction to more than 64,000 travelers, while dedicated WisconsINN Getaways email campaigns, targeted Meta advertising, social media promotions, and a Facebook showcase featuring every auction package helped drive excitement and participation throughout the bidding period. Participating members were also encouraged to share their packages directly with their own audiences, extending the auction's reach even further.

Massive Exposure for Our Participating Members

This auction wasn't just a win for WHLA and the lucky highest bidders—it was a high-visibility showcase for our participating properties.

From luxury resorts and boutique hotels to destination marketing organizations and tourism partners, every donated package received dedicated exposure through email marketing, social media promotion, digital advertising, and the auction platform itself. Together, these efforts placed Wisconsin travel experiences directly in front of thousands of highly engaged consumers actively searching for their next getaway.

A Huge Thank You to Our Participants

An event of this scale is only possible because of the outstanding hospitality community we have here in Wisconsin. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to every member and newsletter reader who donated a package, shared a post, or placed a bid.

Participating Members:

• The Abbey Resort & Avani Spa
• Acorn Ridge Motel 
• Ambassador Hotel
• AmericInn by Wyndham Rhinelander
• Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison
• Best Western Premier Bridgewood
• Blue Harbor Resort
• Brewhouse Inn & Suites
• The Clarke Hotel
• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Stevens Point
• The Delafield Hotel
• Destination Door County
• Destination Madison 
• Discover Green Bay
• Fairfield by Marriott Milwaukee Airport
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Baraboo 
• Geronimo Hospitality Group
• Glidden Lodge Beach Resort
• Gordon Lodge
• Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
• Hampton Inn & Suites Beloit
• Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee/Franklin
• Harbor Winds Hotel
• Heidel House Hotel
• High Point Inn
• Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Brookfield
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison Central
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Oak Creek and Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee West
• Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown
• Hotel Marshfield
• Hotel Retlaw, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
• Hotel Verdant
• Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
• Indian Trail Resort
• The Ingleside Hotel
• Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
• Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
• Kohler Hospitality
• Kress Inn, an Ascend Collection Hotel
• Lake Geneva Lodge
• Lake Lawn Resort
• Landmark Resort
• The Lodge at Mauston
• The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
• Maxwell Mansion
• Milwaukee Marriott Downtown
• Moxy Madison
• Parkwood Lodge
• Radisson Hotel La Crosse
• Red School Resort
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown
• The Stella Hotel & Ballroom
• Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitor Bureau
• Townliner Motel - Washington Island
• Visit Milwaukee
• The Westin Milwaukee Downtown 
• Wilderness Resort

Missed Out? The Next Big Opportunity Starts This November!

If you missed your chance to donate or bid this June, don’t worry—the excitement returns later this year with an even bigger platform.

Mark your calendars for our next major auction happening this fall! The next opportunity to support our industry will take place both online and live in person at the 2026 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show, happening November 1–3, 2026, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
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Stay tuned for details on how you can donate a package for maximum industry exposure, or buy tickets to join us live on the trade show floor!

Register for the 2026 Conference!