HARVEST Golf Outing – June 16th
19th Annual HARVEST Golf Tournament
Monday, June 16, 2014
10:30 a.m. Registration & Lunch
Noon Shotgun Start
Format: 4 Player Scramble
Cost: $150 Per Person
Includes: Lunch • 18 Holes of Golf on a Championship Course
•Gas Club Car • Driving Range with Unlimited
Range Balls • Dinner • Awards Presentation
The Majestic at Lake Walden
9600 Crouse Road
Hartland, Michigan
Click here for more information and to register.
Consider being a sponsor!
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Now Accepting Nominations for MARVAC Board of Directors
Are you interested in becoming more involved in the RV and campground industry? Why not serve on the MARVAC Board of Directors? Nominate yourself or another industry member today! The board meets six times per year to identify the needs of the industry, and strategize ways to protect your business.
We are accepting nominations for the following:
- 2 At Large
- 1 Campground
Nominations will be accepted through April 30th. For more information contact Brandy at the association office. bnelson@mmhrvca.org
Zimmerman Retirement, and Travel Michigan Update
MARVAC MEMBERS: The following is an article that George Zimmerman, Vice President of Travel Michigan wrote as his parting words for Michigan’s tourism industry. Over the past twelve years, the staff at MARVAC has worked with George and his staff at Travel Michigan and were privileged enough to be part of the Pure Michigan advertising campaign at its inception. George was the right person at the right time to take the Michigan tourism industry to the great heights of where it is today. Many of our members have reported the increase of RV owners who have traveled from outside the state to come to Michigan and experience the wonderful campgrounds and destinations we all have come to love and enjoy in our great state. Much of that business is the result of the Pure Michigan ads that we have all seen over the past six years. George was also one to walk the talk. He and his wife rented a motorhome over the Christmas holidays several years ago and made the trip to Florida, camping along the way. He has spoken of that trip many times and is a supporter of our industry. As George moves on to retirement, we wish him well and thank him for his contribution to the tourism industry, especially the recreation vehicle and campground industry.
NEWS FROM TRAVEL MICHIGAN VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE ZIMMERMANN
As I announced in late March, this Friday will be my last day at Travel Michigan. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the state of Michigan and the Michigan tourism industry in this capacity for the past twelve and a half years. I’d like to publicly thank the great teams at Travel Michigan and at our agencies McCann Detroit and Weber Shandwick. I feel especially blessed to have led Travel Michigan during the creation and launch of Pure Michigan in 2006. Working with the McCann team on developing this new brand is certainly one of the highlights of my professional life.
Frankly, none of what has been accomplished would have been possible without you, the Michigan travel and tourism industry. It was the tourism industry back in 2005, when our funding hit rock bottom at $5.7 million per year and we were dead last among the 50 states in hotel occupancy rate, that rallied and made the case for a significant state investment in tourism promotion. By 2006, our funding was more than doubled to $13.2 million and has risen steadily since, today standing at $29 million. Broad tourism industry support for Pure Michigan and its funding has been a key to the campaign’s success.
While Pure Michigan was a regional campaign when it launched in 2006, funding increases led the way to national Pure Michigan advertising starting in 2009 and more global promotion this year. According to the latest research, since its launch in 2006, Pure Michigan summer advertising has attracted 18.3 million out-of-state visitors to Michigan, visitors who spent $5.3 billion at Michigan businesses and paid $374 million in Michigan taxes, primarily in sales tax. The state has received $4.50 in taxes from out-of-state visitors for each dollar spent on Pure Michigan advertising.
It’s comforting to know that I am leaving at a time when the Pure Michigan brand and the Michigan tourism industry are both strong and thriving. Tourism industry unity is at the highest level since I started here in 2001, as witnessed by both the work being done by hundreds on the Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan and the record 1000-plus attendees at the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism in March. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know and work with so many of you in this great industry.
The MEDC is conducting a national search for the next Vice President for Travel Michigan, so more to come as that search progresses.
Finally, I wish you all peace, prosperity and continued success! Perhaps our paths will cross again, likely somewhere in Pure Michigan.
Safe travels always,
George
RECRUIT A NEW MEMBER!
As a member, you understand the value of MARVAC membership. Spread the word with your contacts and peers in the industry, and help expand our association. A growing MARVAC means greater recognition for the industry, more resources to support member programs, and a stronger voice when advocating issues with state and national legislative members. Click here to download a membership application.