field office. So people's voices need to be heard.
>> In other news, the eyes of the sporting world are on green
Bay this weekend as the Packers host the NFL Draft at Lambeau
Field. Here and now, senior political reporter Zach Schultz
was there for the first day of the draft and tells us the state
hopes the economic impact will be felt for years to come.
>> Okay. Welcome to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
>> When the National Football League announced the green Bay
Packers would host the 2025 NFL draft, there was little doubt
Packers fans would show up a party in the shadow of Lambeau
Field, with no cost to get in. By the end of the night, the NFL
announced attendance on the first day hit 205,000 people.
>> The draft is really like an all eyes on us moment for
Wisconsin, and that's really important because we are turning
football fans into Wisconsin fans.
>> And Sayers is Wisconsin's tourism secretary, and she knows
not all of these football fans are local. We saw jerseys
representing all 32 teams in the league, and even some of those
wearing Packers jerseys traveled from out of state. Wisconsin
spent more than $2 million to help prepare for and promote the
event. >> We have been preparing.
>> For a long time. We knew we could do it. And so I think
people are going to have a seamless experience, and that's
what it's all about. >> We booked an Airbnb in
Appleton like a year ago. >> Aaron and Tricia Leonard
their two young children. They were surprised to find
activities for their kids throughout the day like this.
Football skills event. >> I was just thinking about
like, I was doing pretty good. >> Yeah, it's been a great
experience, especially for a five and soon to be three year
old. It's been great for the kids.
green Bay for games before, but for others, this trip was a
first. >> This is awesome. I've seen
people from every fan base. It's a beautiful area. Hotels are
nice. >> I would love to come back to
watch a Packers game at some time. That's on my bucket list.
>> Wisconsin is on a hot streak when it comes to hosting large
events, and Sayers says the key is turning those visitors into
repeat customers. >> I think we're making an
impression. You know, we hosted the RNC. We are now hosting the
draft. We were showcased through Top Chef just recently. We have
a lot of marquee moments happening in golf. We were
welcoming Indy car back, and I think it's just showing like,
yeah, Wisconsin can do this. We can absolutely host people, can
have a great time. They go home with stories. They actually want
to come back for their family vacations. That's what it's all
about. >> Just to drive up here to it
was kind of cool to look at, you know, all the things that we
could do. You know, we thought maybe we'll bring our kids here,
maybe we'll do this, maybe we'll do that.
>> Well, a cloudy day in April may not show off. Wisconsin at
its best. The food is always good, and there were long lines
for standards like burgers and trucks like the Frybread Shack.
>> Frybread are special recipe that we make with our Doyle.
>> Azari Leoso and his team are from the Bad River band of the
Lake Superior Chippewa. truck. There's not too many
indigenous foods out there, so it means a lot. And we're we're
very honored to be out here representing on behalf of native
Americans across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan. We're from
northern Wisconsin. The bad River reservation. So we're very
honored to be a part of this and to be accepted in here and share
a little bit of our culture with everyone.
culinary food traditions, our outdoor recreation, which is
world class, our unique accommodations, our unexpected
attractions. So many of these things that we know travelers
are looking for. We have it in Wisconsin and the draft is just
giving us a stage to show it all off.
rare sporting events where every fan can walk away happy. None
more so than the crowd of Packers fans. When the team
finally made their selection. >> The 13 time world champion
green Bay Packers draft Matthew Golden, wide receiver, Texas.
>> Go big. >> Reporting from green Bay. I'm