Craig Trost
Travel Wisconsin Communications Director Craig Trost is an experienced communications and public policy professional dedicated to making Wisconsin the best state in the country to play, live and work. A native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Trost spent his childhood as a Packer fan in Minnesota. He returned to earn a degree in journalism with an emphasis on public relations and advertising from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, after which he pursued a career in public service. Trost has been active in strategic and political communication in Wisconsin for the last two decades.
Early in his career, Trost worked for former Governor Jim Doyle and later led strategic communications and public policy efforts for several state lawmakers, including Representative Mark Pocan. Highlights of his government career include working with legislators and staff of both major political parties on bipartisan legislation, including the independent review of officer-involved death law and the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act. In addition to communications, Trost is skilled in strategic planning, grassroots organizing, nonprofit fundraising and public policy.
In 2019, Trost was appointed Communications Director for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, where he combines his communications expertise with his love for Wisconsin to promote the state as a top travel destination. In just two short years, he has led the PR program to an HSMAI gold Adrian Award, increased Wisconsin’s earned media and social media influencer footprints, pioneered a public relations Co-Op program and integrated public relations into all major marketing campaigns.
Trost aims to inspire the next generation to be civically engaged. Throughout his career, he has supervised and mentored more than 100 interns. Trost also gives back to his community, spending the past 25 years volunteering for the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government program, where he teaches civics to high school students.