Come to Nebraska and golf.

That will be one promotional effort this summer as the state tries to build on a growing tourism industry, an industry that generates more than $4 billion a year and employees as many as 45,600 Nebraskans.

Gov. Dave Heineman promoted tourism during a conference call with reporters this morning, a preview to Seek Nebraska Week May 5th through the 12th, which will highly vacation and travel options in the state.

The 2012 Nebraska Passport encourages Nebraskans to visit all parts of their state, collecting stamps from 80 participating locations. Visitors can collect prizes for their efforts. For collecting 25 stamps, a visitor will receive a $25 GROW Nebraska gift card. For visiting half of the locations, a visitor will receive a Canon Powershot digital camera, just for sending in a tear-out page from the passport. A grand-prize drawing for an Apple iPad will be held in October.

Heineman says the state will promote certain themes to attract tourists this year, but will emphasize economical, family trips.

“Travelers will find that their lodging, dining and entertainment dollars go further in Nebraska,” according to Heineman. “We encourage Nebraskans and those in surrounding areas to get out and explore Nebraska this year.”

The Passport program organizes the 80 stops into 10 special interest tours: culinary, culture, family fun, festivals, golf, GROW Nebraska, parks, unique accommodations, water adventure and wineries.

State officials say the passport promotion highlights destinations including: 51st Annual Wilber Czech Fest, The Prairie Club golf course in Valentine, Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café in McCook, Lake McConaughy Visitor/Water Interpretive Center in Ogallala, High Plains Homestead in Crawford, Pawnee Plunge Water Park in Columbus and Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards in Lexington.

Nebraska golfing got an unexpected boost last year when United States House Speaker John Boehner mentioned playing at the Dismal River Golf Club in Mullen, Nebraska [View CBS video on YouTube].

Director Kathy McKillip with the Division of Travel and Tourism says surveys show Nebraskans need to take more pride in what their state has to offer.

“And we’re finding that we need to do better as Nebraskans in believing in ourselves and what our amenities and resources are and getting out and supporting those.” McKillip stated.

Even as Heineman promotes Nebraska tourism, he concedes the state needs to focus its efforts to promote tourism spots. Heineman says the state is working with a consultant on a strategic plan to promote tourism.

“So, we need to think about what do we have to offer here? How we want to promote it. I think we have a more diverse program or series of activities that we can promote in the state, but again we need to get focused what are the three or four that we’re really going to try to make a difference with,” Heineman stated.

State officials say travel expenditures in Nebraska have grown by more than $2 billion since 1990.

Interactive maps, road trip ideas, trip planners and more are available at VisitNebraska.gov. For more on the 2012 Passport program, go to nebraskapassport.com.

AUDIO: Gov. Heineman discusses tourism during conference call with reporters [4:35]

Governors gathered in Nebraska for an economic summit say the federal government is hindering state economic growth.

Gov. Dave Heineman, hosting the summit in Omaha as chairman of the National Governors Association, worries about the tax climate in Washington as well as federal regulations and the federal health care law.

“Those three things are creating uncertainty at the federal level and that’s why you see more cash on the sidelines than ever before,” Heineman says. “I would like to see the federal government provide stability when it comes to taxes, regulation and health care.”

The regional summit in Omaha is designed to exchange ideas about how to grow state economies and create jobs. Joining Heineman at the summit are Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. All are Republicans who complain that the administration led by President Barack Obama, a Democrat, retards economic growth and has kept the economy from fully emerging from the recession.

Snyder of Michigan added that the politics of Washington gets in the way.

“I believe the dysfunctionality of Washington is holding back our economic recovery in our states,” Snyder says. “And, if that could be resolved, we’d move forward faster.”

Branstad of Iowa says regulations being pushed by the Obama Administration threaten a big economic advantage enjoyed by the Midwest.

“We have an economic advantage, because we have reliable, low-cost energy,” Branstad says. “If that’s taken away from us by the EPA, that’s going to be a real downer for economic growth.”

The summit, part of the initiative promoted by Heineman as NGA chairman called “Growing State Economies”, wraps up today.

The three previous regional summits were held in Connecticut, Washington and Tennessee.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [:45]

AUDIO: Gov. Heineman, Gov. Branstad and Gov. Snyder discuss federal obstacles to economic growth [5:20]

Economic growth, education and health care; all topics being discussed the next couple of days in Omaha, the site of the National Governors Association regional economic development summit.

Gov. Dave Heineman, chairman of the NGA, launched an initiative called Growing State Economies, featuring four regional summits.

Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa and Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan have joined Heineman at the summit that will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. State officials from Nebraska and surrounding states will meet with business leaders from throughout the Midwest at the summit.

All three governors met with the news media this morning, discussing a variety of topics.

Michigan Gov. Snyder said his state has focused on helping business promote exports.

“Part of the key for America’s future is making us more and more an export-oriented state and country,” according to Snyder.

The tie between education and jobs has been emphasized during the meeting. University of Nebraska President, J.B. Milliken, delivered the keynote address today on how universities can contribute to a state’s economic growth.

Gov. Heineman said the states must push advanced education.

“Because a high school education is no longer sufficient,” according to Heineman. “Every single student today needs at least a two-year associate’s degree or a four-degree from a collegiate institution. So, we’re going to continue to prioritize education and jobs.”

Funding education has to become more of a priority, according to Iowa Gov. Branstad.

“We have had a decline in recent years in our state and in many states in terms of public support for higher education,” according to Branstad, “I’m proud to say we’re turning that around this year.”

The summit wraps up tomorrow. The three previous regional summits were held in Connecticut, Washington and Tennessee.

AUDIO: Gov. Heineman hosts news conference at economic summit [7:40]

A regional economic development summit will be held in Omaha, beginning tomorrow, the fourth and final regional summit to be held by the National Governors Association this year.

The summits are being held as part of Gov. Dave Heineman’s initiative as chairman of the NGA, entitled Growing State Economies. They bring public officials and business executives together to discuss how to foster job growth in states. Summits have already been held in Connecticut, Washington and Tennessee.

State Economic Development Department Director Cathy Lang says the summit will allow discussion about how best to grow the economies of the various states in attendance.

“The Department of Economic Development is excited for the opportunity to hear from other states and business leaders and learn from their strategies,” Lang says.

The summit in Omaha features Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa and Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan who will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Lang says the summit will give Nebraska an opportunity to share how the state has foster a strong business climate that has led to a state economy boasting an unemployment rate hovering around 4%, the second lowest in the nation. It also provides an opportunity for Nebraska to pick up ideas from other states.

“We look forward to hosting this summit in Nebraska and the opportunity to learn from everyone who’s participating,” Lang says.

The summit will be held tomorrow and Wednesday at the Embassy Suites in Omaha.