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ARCHIVES
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Special Edition 10
December 10, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 10
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Issue 9
November 26, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 9
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Issue 8
October 29, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 8
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Issue 7
October 2, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 7
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Issue 6
September 5, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 6
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Special Edition 5
August 16, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 5
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Issue 4
July 29, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 4
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Issue 3
June 28, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 3
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Issue 2
May 23, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 2
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Introductory Issue
April 17, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 1
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New Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Committee
By Senator Gerald Van Woerkom
 As some of you may know, the people of Michigan’s 34th District recently elected me to the state senate. Most recently I was appointed Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Committee. I am excited about this opportunity to build upon my past experience in the House of Representatives and set forth an agenda that will expand the tourism industry in Michigan. Over the next several months, I plan to meet with industry leaders to discuss the current status of tourism in Michigan and what role the state can play in strengthening the industry.
One of my first priorities will be to improve coordination and communication between state agencies, local convention and visitor bureaus and private businesses. In the past there has been a disconnect that has lead to each group working alone and sometimes against each other. It is time to bring all the parties together to foster cooperation and better utilize their resources. The state can set an example by working across state agencies on issues that impact Michigan tourism.
Another area that needs to be addressed is the labor shortage in the tourism industry. Tourism does create many jobs in Michigan, and there is some concern that there are not enough qualified workers to fill these jobs. The first goal will be assessing the labor needs of the industry and what areas of work training, leadership development and human resources need to be improved. For the tourism industry to succeed, it is critical that we have a skilled workforce in place to interact with Michigan tourists.
These are just a couple of issues that I plan to focus on over the next year. I look forward to continuing my work with the industry and making Michigan a top destination point for travelers.
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