The state’s main tourism trade suppliers and officers traveled to the Pure Michigan Governor’s Convention on Tourism, held in Kalamazoo this yr, the place I caught up with lots of them on the transfer.
Kelly Wolgamott remembers the Basic Motors advertising slogan “Individuals in Movement.” The profession of Lansing’s former Oldsmobile advertising skilled is now totally devoted to movement in the best way of journey…and other people shifting to Michigan.
“It begins with a06 go to,” mentioned Wolgamott, who’s now main the Michigan Financial Improvement Company’s “Journey Michigan.” She added that “67% of leisure vacationers discover their house based mostly on that go to. It’s highly effective.”
She’s been with the group that created the internationally-acclaimed “Pure Michigan” promoting marketing campaign for 12 years.
“Everyone knows the emotional reference to the marketing campaign, however it’s all true information – the proof factors – in regards to the marketing campaign and the worth of what it’s doing for the state. The ‘Pure Michigan’ marketing campaign entices guests to Michigan to then work and dwell right here.”
Liz Ware is an ideal instance. She first got here ashore in Michigan aboard a ship from her house in Chicago after dwelling in Washington D.C., San Antonio and Montana.
“I’m all-in on Michigan. I’m not going wherever,” mentioned Ware, who purchased a house in Grosse Pointe. Her household bought Mackinac Island’s Mission Level Resort, a historic, scenic property they’ve invested closely in rejuvenating and remaking, with nice success, over the previous decade.
The Ware household additionally owns the Silver Birches house on Mackinac Island, and Liz nonetheless loves her ferry rides backwards and forwards to the island, particularly when the Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry goes beneath the famed Mighty Mac Bridge.
“It’s so cool to see that construction from beneath and the vehicles driving over it,” mentioned Ware.
“Our bridge journeys beneath the Mackinac Bridge run from 9:30 within the morning till midday,” mentioned Eric Heffernan, supervisor of St. Ignace operations for Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, an operation which endeavors to emulate a Disney-like expertise. “It’s not simply in regards to the boat experience. We wish friends to really feel welcome from the minute you pull in. It stems from the Shepler household and their traditions.”
Shepler’s additionally strikes to modernize. “We’re researching a digital bag-tag system so ferry riders to Mackinac Island, just like the airways, so Mackinac Island passengers can simply observe their baggage.”
Ware serves on the Michigan Journey Fee and the brand new Michigan Hospitality and Tourism Alliance.
Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Affiliation does, too. “We meet with a bi-partisan hospitality and tourism caucus within the state legislature,” revealed Winslow. He listed Senators John Damoose, of Harbor Springs, and Kevin Hertel from the Detroit space, plus Home members Will Snyder of Muskegon and Nancy DeBoer from Holland.
“Our aim is to construct and shield tourism and eating places within the state of Michigan. Michigan is a tremendous place to dwell, however we’d like different folks within the nation to realize it, additionally, by restoring the Pure Michigan marketing campaign funding ranges,” Damoose mentioned.
Mackinac Island, which forbids vehicles, has an airstrip. Flying vehicles don’t land there but, however Go to Detroit’s Chris Moyer, from the Motor Metropolis, says he’s seen prototypes of flying vehicles.
“Detroit is the house of American innovation -and I’m not simply speaking about 120 years in the past with the model-T, the primary paved highway and the primary cease signal. We simply constructed the primary electrical car charging highway and we’re engaged on drone know-how. Mobility for Detroit now means the multi-faceted method to getting folks and concepts and items the place they must be.”
Look skyward in Traverse Metropolis June 29 and 30 to see the U.S. Navy Blue Angel’s airshow over the 98thNationwide Cherry Pageant, a serious, weeklong affair.
“The air reveals are free, however the secret is on Friday, June 28 from 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. you’ll be able to see the Blue Angels follow the identical present with much less crowds,” mentioned Trevor Tkach, president of Traverse Metropolis Tourism and former government director of the competition. “And there’s no safer place to see an airshow than over water.”
Whereas the Navy visits Traverse Metropolis, Patrick Perry, normal supervisor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing Lodge, is anticipating potential “eagle visits” from the Presidential candidates throughout this marketing campaign season. He mentioned he’d skilled working with the U.S. Secret Service on these when he managed a lodge in Traverse Metropolis.
Additional south alongside Lake Michigan, Saugatuck’s mayor Lauren Stanton mentioned USA At the moment named the watery city, with its summer time Venetian Pageant, dunes, quaint downtown streets, galleries, meals scene and lakefront seashores second solely to Stuart, Florida, amongst America’s “Greatest Coastal Small Cities.”
“We’re thrilled to be nominated by a panel of specialists and voted on by the readers. Saugatuck beat locations like Newport Rhode Island; and Gulf Shores, Alabama and Key West mentioned Stanton, a former information anchor who additionally owns the famed Purple Dock Bar and Retro Boat Leases.
Contact Michael Patrick Shiels at MShiels@aol.com His new e book: Journey Tattler – Not So Torrid Tales, could also be bought throughAmazon.com and his radio present is weekdays from 9-noon on WJIM AM 1240
This text initially appeared on Lansing State Journal: Shiels: Kelly Wolgamott talks journey at Pure Michigan tourism convention
