Native American Tourism of Wisconsin

What Native American Tourism of Wisconsin does

Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) is a nonprofit tribal tourism coalition headquartered in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, representing 11 federally recognized tribal nations in the state. The organization's functional role is destination marketing and stakeholder coordination on behalf of its member tribes, operating as the unified consumer-facing brand for Wisconsin tribal tourism and serving both member tribal nations (as constituents) and visitors to Wisconsin (as the indirect end market). NATOW does not own or operate hospitality assets; its core deliverable is content, marketing, and channel relationships that direct visitor flow to member-tribe destinations and events.

The core product surface consists of the NATOW consumer website and travel guide (which aggregate cultural events, powwows, museums, and tribal tourism experiences across all member nations), complemented by physical QR-coded travel-center displays placed at Beloit and La Crosse and recurring institutional events such as the annual NATOW conference and the Masquerade Gala. Underlying distribution is delivered via a partnership stack rather than proprietary technology: NATOW underwrites member tribes' annual dues to the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) to secure national and international listing, and it maintains placement in mainstream Wisconsin travel channels including Travel Wisconsin and Discover Wisconsin.

The business model is nonprofit and member-funded. Revenue mechanics center on tribal membership dues, underwriting of third-party association dues (AIANTA), event-based fundraising (Masquerade Gala), and likely grant and sponsorship activity. There is no transaction-based pricing model, no ticketed core product, and no disclosed headcount-funded operating budget. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, led by Executive Director Kimberlee A. McGeshick with governance from a board composed of member-tribe representatives.

Name

Native American Tourism of Wisconsin

Legal name

Native American Tourism of Wisconsin

Website

https://natow.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Native American Tourism of Wisconsin is a Lac Du Flambeau-based nonprofit coalition of 11 federally recognized Wisconsin tribal nations that markets Wisconsin tribal tourism destinations, cultural events, and powwows through its website, partner channels, and AIANTA distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tribal Destination Marketing & Tourism Promotion

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAAAEAH

Community-Based & Indigenous-Led Ecotourism

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Ecotourism Operators & Nature-Based Tours

SECONDARYTHAJADAK

Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYMPAEAAAD

Tribal/First Nations Casino Operations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Gambling, Betting & Casinos/Casino Operations (Land-Based)

SECONDARYTHAAAHAI

Community-Based & Indigenous-Owned Nature Lodges

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Nature Lodges & Eco-Resorts

Keywords

• Tribal tourism
• Destination marketing
• Cultural tourism
• Nonprofit coalition
• Event planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lac Du Flambeau

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NATOW underwrites annual dues for each tribe's participation in AIANTA, representing the first initiative of its kind to form a full statewide coalition within AIANTA's membership.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) is a nonprofit coalition that promotes tribal tourism and economic development across Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized sovereign tribal nations. It operates the natow.org website and digital travel guide, curates information on tribal-owned casinos, cultural museums, agritourism, outdoor recreation, and event venues, and conducts regional, national, and global outreach to drive visitors and economic activity to member tribes. The organization does not sell travel services directly; it markets and connects visitors to tribal businesses and attractions.

Product overview

Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) is a tribal tourism promotion organization, not a traditional software product company. The organization serves as a coalition representing Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized sovereign tribal nations. The core 'product' is a tourism promotion platform consisting of the NATOW website and travel guide that provides information about tribal attractions, casinos, cultural sites, event venues, recreation activities, and agritourism experiences across tribal territories. The organization connects visitors with tribal businesses including gaming facilities, hotels, restaurants, museums, golf courses, campgrounds, and event/convention centers. NATOW's services include marketing outreach, event planning resources, and partnership programs with organizations like AIANTA and NAAF to promote tribal economic development through tourism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NATOW Website and Travel Guide The primary online destination platform for NATOW, featuring travel guides, tribal profiles, attraction listings, event planning resources, and curated information about Wisconsin's 11 sovereign tribal nations. It serves as the central digital entry point for tourists seeking cultural, casino, agritourism, and outdoor recreation experiences on tribal lands.
• Tribal Tourism Promotion Services Community-led marketing and outreach services that promote Wisconsin tribal tourism regionally, nationally, and globally, designed to drive visitors and revenue to Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized tribal nations and their member businesses.
• Event Planning Resources and Venue Connections Curated information and venue-matching resources for hosting corporate retreats, weddings, family events, and conferences at tribal-owned convention and event facilities across Wisconsin's member nations.
• Agritourism Experiences Promotion Curated promotion of agritourism experiences across tribal lands, including wild rice harvesting, tribal farms, orchards, and fish hatcheries, connecting visitors with Native-led agricultural and culinary traditions.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2021Historic partnership forming a full statewide coalition within AIANTA's membership. NATOW underwrites annual dues for each tribe's participation. Members can attend major international tourism tradeshows, establish presence on AIANTA's consumer website NativeAmerica.travel, and access educational and networking programs including the annual American Indian Tourism Conference.
• Woodland Indian Art, Inc. (WIA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization that expands awareness and appreciation of Woodland Indian Arts and Culture through education, events and markets. WIA has produced the Woodland Indian Art Show and Market on the Oneida Reservation since 2006.
• Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides grants to eligible organizations for business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services to support Native farmers and ranchers.
• Travel WisconsinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWisconsin's state tourism website promoting Native Wisconsin and tribal culture as part of the state's visitor experience.
• Beloit Travel CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel center partnership displaying QR codes linking to NATOW's website and travel information for promoting tribal tourism.
• Explore LaCrosseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel center partnership displaying QR codes linking to NATOW's website and travel information for promoting tribal tourism.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council: Regional inter-tribal organization serving Wisconsin and Upper Michigan tribes — NATOW's Executive Director lists a GLITC email address, indicating operational overlap. Comparable as a tribal coalition body, though focused on broader tribal services (health, education, economic development) rather than tourism specifically.

Regional players

• Travel Wisconsin: Wisconsin's official state Destination Marketing Organization and a NATOW partner that promotes Native Wisconsin content on its consumer site. Operates at the state level rather than tribal, but shares the destination-promotion function and audience overlap.
• Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC): National indigenous tourism association for Canada, performing an equivalent coalition-building and destination-marketing role for First Nations communities. Highly analogous institutional model, though serving a different national geography.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: U.S. nonprofit that promotes preservation and public engagement with historic and cultural sites, including significant Native American heritage sites. Comparable in promoting heritage tourism and cultural site visitation, though broader in scope than tribal-specific tourism.
• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian: A major federal cultural institution dedicated to Native American history, art, and culture, with a strong digital and physical presence that shapes visitor interest in indigenous cultural tourism. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but a meaningful driver of the demand NATOW seeks to capture.

Direct peers

• American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA): The national nonprofit association serving indigenous tourism across the U.S., and NATOW's primary strategic partner. AIANTA operates the NativeAmerica.travel consumer site, runs the annual American Indian Tourism Conference, and coordinates international tradeshow representation — directly analogous to NATOW but at the national level.
• Oneida Nation Tourism (New York): Tourism arm of the Oneida Indian Nation in New York, promoting Turning Stone Resort Casino and surrounding cultural and recreational assets. While one of NATOW's member tribes (Wisconsin Oneida) is a separate entity, the business model of sovereign-nation-led tourism promotion is directly parallel.
• Choctaw Nation Tourism: Tribal tourism promotion entity for the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma, marketing casinos, cultural experiences, and outdoor recreation across tribal lands. Comparable coalition-style promotion model targeting visitors seeking authentic Native American experiences.
• Navajo Nation Tourism Department: Official tourism promotion entity for the Navajo Nation spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Operates a similar model — sovereign-tribal-led destination marketing of cultural sites, scenic byways, and outdoor experiences — at a larger geographic scale.
• Cherokee Nation Tourism: Tribal tourism organization promoting cultural, historical, and entertainment offerings of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Highly comparable as a sovereign-nation-led tourism promotion body with cultural sites, gaming resorts, and outdoor recreation as core attractions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NativeWI
• Facebookfacebook.com/nativewisconsin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/native-american-tourism-of-wisconsin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Native American Tourism of Wisconsin