WISCONSIN TOURISM Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble says Wisconsin tourism is on a pace this year to grow roughly 7 percent over 2009, but still won’t be back to 2008 levels until at least next year. In a new WisBusiness interview, Trumble says getting leisure travelers to return to their old ways is easier than convincing businesses to spend again on conventions and meetings, the areas that showed the greatest decline in 2009. Trumble says the department will have some additional initiatives on business travel next year. ECONIMIC SUMMITS Five statewide groups have kicked off a series of three Economic Summits aimed at reducing unemployment and growing Wisconsin's economy. The first summit covered strategies for creating good-paying jobs and developing a business friendly environment. It also looked at generating the angel and venture capital needed by business start-ups and expansions. Later summits will look at managing the state budget deficit and improving the state’s competitiveness. The goal is to develop recommendations in advance of the next state budget. NEW BUSINESS VENTURE The state Department of Commerce has certified its 15th company this year as a Qualified New Business Venture based on development of new technology. Sheboygan-based Surgical Site Solutions has developed a system to speed up preparation for surgery. More than 120 state companies, including 15 this year, have earned the certification, which makes company investors eligible for a 25 percent tax credit on their investments.