Key tourism industry providers and officials traveled to this year’s Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Kalamazoo, where I caught up with many of them along the way.
Kelly Wolgamott remembers General Motors’ marketing slogan “People in Motion.” Lansing’s former marketing professional at Oldsmobile’s career is now completely devoted to travel movement… and people moving to Michigan.
“It starts with a visit to 06,” said Wolgamott, who now directs “Travel Michigan” for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She added that “67% of vacationers find their home based on that visit. It’s powerful.”
She has been working for twelve years at the organization that created the internationally famous ‘Pure Michigan’ advertising campaign.
“We all know the emotional connection to the campaign, but it’s all real data – the proof points – about the campaign and the value of what it does for the state. The ‘Pure Michigan’ campaign entices visitors to Michigan to work and live here.”
Liz Ware is a perfect example. She first came ashore in Michigan aboard a boat from her home in Chicago after living in Washington DC, San Antonio and Montana.
“I’m all in for Michigan. I’m not going anywhere,” said Ware, who bought a house in Grosse Pointe. Her family purchased the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, a historic, scenic property that they have invested heavily in rejuvenating and renewing over the past decade with great success.
The Ware family also owns the Silver Birches house on Mackinac Island, and Liz still loves her ferry rides back and forth to the island, especially when the Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry passes under the famous Mighty Mac Bridge.
“It’s so cool to see that structure from underneath and the cars driving over it,” Ware said.
“Our bridge tours under the Mackinac Bridge last from 9:30 a.m. to noon,” says Eric Heffernan, manager of St. Ignace Operations for Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, an operation that tries to recreate a Disney-like experience. “It’s not just about the boat trip. We want guests to feel welcome from the moment you enter. It comes from the Shepler family and their traditions.”
Shepler’s also wants to modernize. “We are exploring a digital baggage tag system so that Ferry passengers to Mackinac Island, like the airlines, can easily track their luggage.”
Ware is a member of the Michigan Travel Commission and the new Michigan Hospitality and Tourism Alliance.
Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, does so as well. “We are dealing with a bipartisan caucus on hospitality and tourism in the state legislature,” Winslow revealed. He mentioned Senators John Damoose of Harbor Springs and Kevin Hertel of the Detroit area, plus House members Will Snyder of Muskegon and Nancy DeBoer of Netherlands.
“Our goal is to build and protect tourism and restaurants in the state of Michigan. Michigan is a great place to live, but we need other people across the country to know this too, by restoring funding levels to the Pure Michigan Campaign,” Damoose said.
Mackinac Island, where cars are prohibited, has an airstrip. Flying cars aren’t landing there yet, but Chris Moyer of Motor City-based Visit Detroit says he’s seen prototypes of flying cars.
“Detroit is the home of American innovation – and I’m not just talking about 120 years ago with the Model T, the first paved road and the first stop sign. We have just built the first electric vehicle charging road and we are working on drone technology. Mobility for Detroit now means the multifaceted approach to getting people, ideas and goods where they need to go.”
Look to the skies in Traverse City on June 29 and 30 to see the US Navy Blue Angel air show over 98eNational Cherry Festival, a grand, week-long affair.
“The air shows are free, but the secret is that on Friday, June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. you can see the Blue Angels practicing the same show with a smaller crowd,” said Trevor Tkach, president of Traverse City Tourism and former executive director of the festival . “And there is no safer place to attend an air show than above water.”
As the Navy visits Traverse City, Patrick Perry, general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing Hotel, anticipates possible “eagle visits” from the presidential candidates this campaign season. He said he had experience working with the U.S. Secret Service when he managed a hotel in Traverse City.
Farther south along Lake Michigan, Saugatuck Mayor Lauren Stanton said USA Today ranks the watery city, with its Venetian summer festival, dunes, quaint downtown streets, galleries, food scene and lakeside beaches, after Stuart, Florida, ranked second among America’s ‘Best Coastal Small’. Towns.”
“We are thrilled to have been nominated by a panel of experts and voted on by readers. Saugatuck beats places like Newport Rhode Island; and Gulf Shores, Alabama and Key West said Stanton, a former news anchor who also owns the famed Red Dock Bar and Retro Boat Rentals.
Contact Michael Patrick Shiels at MShiels@aol.com His new book, Travel Tattler – Not So Torrid Tales, can be purchased through Amazon.com and his radio show is weekdays from 9am on WJIM AM 1240
This article originally appeared in Lansing State Journal: Shiels: Kelly Wolgamott talks travel at Pure Michigan tourism conference
