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Solutions for Tourism Growth |
| LANSING, Mich., Sept. 24, 2003 - Michigan's travel and tourism industry
leaders will converge at the upcoming Michigan Tourism Conference, October
5 and 6 at the Valley Plaza Resort in Midland. Governor Jennifer
Granholm will present the keynote address at her first Michigan Tourism
Conference. In addition, the conference will offer Michigan businesses
the opportunity to explore practical strategies, concepts and solutions
for tourism development and marketing in the 21st century.
"This year's conference will feature speakers and workshops that explore real world solutions that are the key to growing a successful tourism private sector," said George Zimmermann, vice president of Travel Michigan. "We expect between 150 and 200 industry leaders and businesses will take advantage of this outstanding networking and partnership opportunity." The conference will kick off with the fall Travel Commission Meeting, during which the Michigan Travel Commission, Travel Michigan staff and contractors will present the initial results of research on the State of Michigan's tourism brand. Travel industry members are encouraged to attend the Commission meeting and to give feedback on the branding review work completed to date. Tourism Conference speakers include Steve Hamp, President, The Henry
Ford;
Other highlights for the 2003 conference include a great line-up of workshops, with topics including: Heritage Tourism and Product Development, Branding, Web Design and eNewsletter Strategies, Tips for Working with Travel Writers, Marketing Partnerships, and Tracking and Evaluating Your Promotions. Registration for the conference is $185 and includes all workshops, meals and a welcome reception. To register online, visit travelmichigannews.org . Tourism is crucial to Michigan's economy. Travelers spend more than $12.8 billion annually exploring the great state, accounting for 173,000 Michigan jobs and $812 million in state and local taxes. Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services. 2003 Michigan Tourism Conference
Sunday, October 5, 2003 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Michigan Travel Commission Meeting and Branding Michigan Discussion 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Opening Reception 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Dinner & Opening Presentation / Steve Hamp Chairman, Michigan Travel Commission Monday, October 6, 2003 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Speaker Legislative Overview / Steve Yencich President & CEO Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. General Session Overview of Travel Michigan Strategic Plan / George Zimmermann Vice President, Travel Michigan 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Workshops
Noon - 12:30 p.m. Conference Luncheon 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Luncheon Speaker / Bill Norman CEO, Travel Industry Association of America 1:30 p.m. - 2: 15 p.m. Concurrent Workshops
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closing Session & Presentation of Outstanding Achievement Awards / Governor Jennifer Granholm |
| Contact:
Travel Michigan http://travelmichigannews.org |