Sports & Entertainment
News and developments in Milwaukee’s sports and entertainment industries, from team ownership to event venues.
Potawatomi’s hotel exceeds expectations in first year
A casino without a hotel is like a brat without a bun, said Ryan Amundson, external communications manager for Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.
After nearly 25 years of existence as a bingo hall and casino, Potawatomi finally built a hotel, and it is now gearing up to celebrate the hotel's one-year anniversary on Aug. 18.
The hotel has been well received, said hotel director Hassan Abdel-Moneim.
“This was the largest casino in probably the country that didn't have a hotel,” he said. “Our customers just flooded us…It gives customers with an hour, hour-and-a-half drive away the option to stay so they don't feel rushed.”
After nearly 25 years of existence as a bingo hall and casino, Potawatomi finally built a hotel, and it is now gearing up to celebrate the hotel's one-year anniversary on Aug. 18.
The hotel has been well received, said hotel director Hassan Abdel-Moneim.
“This was the largest casino in probably the country that didn't have a hotel,” he said. “Our customers just flooded us…It gives customers with an hour, hour-and-a-half drive away the option to stay so they don't feel rushed.”
Event business booms at Best Place
Since opening a new event space at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery last August, owner Jim Haertel and his team have hosted close to 150 weddings on its grounds, on top of 150 other events.
The new venue, known as The Great Hall, joined Blue Ribbon Hall, a separate 2,000-square-foot event space at Best Place, that also caters to public and private events.
Steep demand for Blue Ribbon Hall drove Haertel to open another event space at Best Place. With help from five contractors, renovation of The Great Hall, which is about 4,000 square feet, was completed from April to August last year, in time for Haertel's son's summer wedding.
Haertel poured nearly $1 million into the renovation project, partially financed with $400,000 in state and federal historic tax credits.
Best Place, located at 901 W. Juneau Ave. in Milwaukee, formerly housed Pabst Brewing Co.'s corporate offices, and the segment that now holds The Great Hall encompasses Capt. Frederick Pabst's former office.
The new venue, known as The Great Hall, joined Blue Ribbon Hall, a separate 2,000-square-foot event space at Best Place, that also caters to public and private events.
Steep demand for Blue Ribbon Hall drove Haertel to open another event space at Best Place. With help from five contractors, renovation of The Great Hall, which is about 4,000 square feet, was completed from April to August last year, in time for Haertel's son's summer wedding.
Haertel poured nearly $1 million into the renovation project, partially financed with $400,000 in state and federal historic tax credits.
Best Place, located at 901 W. Juneau Ave. in Milwaukee, formerly housed Pabst Brewing Co.'s corporate offices, and the segment that now holds The Great Hall encompasses Capt. Frederick Pabst's former office.
Local food on the rise at corporate events
While the local food movement is not a new trend, it has recently started to trickle into the corporate event space.
“It's definitely increasing. We've done a lot more corporate events in the last few years, or at least a couple, where clients are asking for (local food),” said Steve Johnson, executive sous chef at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee.
With seven restaurants on the property, Potawatomi has relationships with many local vendors that provide it with locally sourced, sustainable food. When its Locavore restaurant opened a year ago with a focus on Midwestern eats, those relationships expanded.
“It's definitely increasing. We've done a lot more corporate events in the last few years, or at least a couple, where clients are asking for (local food),” said Steve Johnson, executive sous chef at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee.
With seven restaurants on the property, Potawatomi has relationships with many local vendors that provide it with locally sourced, sustainable food. When its Locavore restaurant opened a year ago with a focus on Midwestern eats, those relationships expanded.
“The Misfit Economy”
While outlaws and rebels are often pushed to the fringes of society, a duo of authors argues that today's entrepreneurs can learn from their innovation tactics.
Associated Bank and United Way become leading sponsors of Milwaukee Film Festival
Nonprofit organization Milwaukee Film, which puts on the annual Milwaukee Film Festival, announced on Thursday it has received leading sponsorship funding from Associated Bank and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County for this year’s festival.
Weekend Preview
The Wisconsin State Fair is underway, and there are a variety of other festivals and events on tap for the weekend.
- Advertisement -
Wisconsin State Fair kicks off today with new food, activities
The Wisconsin State Fair’s 11-day stretch of food and festivities started Thursday morning as Gov. Scott Walker joined other public officials and fair leaders for an opening ceremony on fair grounds.
Associated Bank and United Way become leading sponsors of Milwaukee Film Festival
Nonprofit organization Milwaukee Film, which puts on the annual Milwaukee Film Festival, announced today it has received leading sponsorship funding from Associated Bank and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County for this year’s festival.
Wisconsin State Fair kicks off today with new food, activities
The Wisconsin State Fair’s 11-day stretch of food and festivities started Thursday morning as Gov. Scott Walker joined other public officials and fair leaders for an opening ceremony on fair grounds.
Associated Bank and United Way become leading sponsors of Milwaukee Film Festival
Nonprofit organization Milwaukee Film, which puts on the annual Milwaukee Film Festival, announced today it has received leading sponsorship funding from Associated Bank and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County for this year’s festival.
