Tow Show Location

Chula Vista Resort and Hotel has been the long-standing site for the Wisconsin Tow Show.  Over the years, we have heard both good and bad experiences at Chula Vista.

The hotel provides ample space for both vendors, equipment, trucks and food service areas.  We utilize two areas of the Chula Vista, one which is about 100,000 square feet (for the pig roast, vendors and exhibitors, and some truck parking) and the other lot for truck parking (which is about 50,000 square feet).  Thus, the total need for space is at least 150,000 square feet, which Chula Vista has been able to accommodate.

The banquet hall space has always been more than enough room for our purposes and the meeting spaces are also very good.  Staff are generally responsive to our needs and work well with us to have a good experience.

Chula provides us with all the space we need for meetings and seminars at no additional charge for the room.  The only charges would be for any audio and visual needs as well as any beverages.

Some drawbacks are the age and condition of the hotel and rooms, and there is a concern future expansion of the hotel may significantly impact the ability to hold a Tow Show as many have come to expect.

However, we have received word from Chula Vista staff that no expansion is planned at this time, and if any expansion were to happen, it would likely be near the Fairway Villas.  Thus, our regular site for the Tow Show and truck parking would not be impacted.

There have also been concerns about the overall food choices and quality of the meals.  Some have raised concerns about food remaining warm during the lunch cookout, while others have complained about the overall quality of the food.

Chula Vista has been a predictable location for the Tow Show, which can attendees know what to expect and how the general flow of the event will be.

At the same time, there are concerns that it has become too stagnant and that a change of scenery would be in order to draw more people to the Show.

The Great Wolf Resort is a new option to consider which is more centrally-located in the Dells, surrounded by shopping, restaurants and bars, a kids play facility, and a second hotel (Staybridge) nearby for anyone looking for rooming options.

The Tow Show itself would not be physically located in the Great Wolf Resort, but rather an adjacent parking lot which is about 92,000 square feet.  We have been told by the property owner that we would be able to utilize the lot for the Tow Show.

The Great Wolf Resort would not be able to accommodate us for the evening banquet.  Their largest banquet room can hold up to 180 guests.  We would need space for at least 225 guests, perhaps more.  Thus, Buffalo Phil’s (The Crystal Room) nearby would have to take care of the banquet.

A tour of the Crystal Room provided an up close look at the facility, which the event planner said could accommodate more than 300 guests.  However, some board members felt the room was a bit small and that even 200 or more guests would be a tight fit.

The Crystal Room has a full bar and is a nice looking facility, but the audio/visual options are limited and some who are seated may have to deal with obstructed views.

The Kids Party would presumably be held at Knuckleheads, which is an activity center for kids, which serves mostly pizza.

While the parking is very large, there is a question as to whether it could accommodate all the vendor and exhibitor spaces, the pig roast tent, and all the trucks.  The basic math says 92,000 square feet may not be enough space for everything.

We do not know if the Association would be assessed a fee for usage of the parking lot.  In addition, we do not know if the property is agreeable to allowing us to essentially take over the entire lot for about 3 days.

All meetings, seminars, and ladies lunch would be held in the Great Wolf Resort.  Great Wolf will not cater or deliver food out to the parking lot, thus we would need a plan for breakfast and lunch.

There is no security staff or cameras in the parking lot area.  This may be a concern for the vendors and exhibitors and we might have to consider hiring a private security service.

Electrical power is in great need for the Tow Show, both for vendors and the pig roast.  It appears there is some electrical units in the parking lot, but it may not be enough.  This could be a significant obstacle for the Tow Show.

Great Wolf Resort would definitely be a change in scenery for the Wisconsin Tow Show with a lot to offer in the surrounding area.  But some of the major logistics of the event could be difficult to overcome.