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ARCHIVES
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Jan 2003
February 7, 2003
Vol. 2
Issue 1
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December 20, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 11
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November 26, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 9
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October 29, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 8
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October 2, 2002
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September 5, 2002
Vol. 1
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July 29, 2002
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June 28, 2002
Vol. 1
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May 23, 2002
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April 17, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 1
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Laying the Foundation for a Stronger Industry Future
By Steve Yencich, President of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM)
and President/CEO of the Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association (MHM&RA)
 Tourism business owners often wonder why our industry doesn’t leave a larger political footprint at the state capital. Others wonder why we’ve fallen so short of enacting legislation to delay the start of schools until after Labor Day. More recently, people have questioned why our industry didn’t exert its muscle to protect Travel Michigan’s funding. Why didn’t we advocate on its behalf and attempt to protect the promotion funds that can so dramatically impact our livelihood? There are reasonable answers to all these questions, although they’re not necessarily pleasant.
Everyone understands that you can’t build a house unless you’re willing to dig a solid foundation. In some ways it’s the dirtiest and least satisfying part of the process, but it’s also the most important. The future strength and stability of a home rests on its foundation.
Decades ago, farmers recognized the importance of collective action in Lansing. Teachers unions, doctors, auto manufacturers and insurance agents long ago recognized the importance of marshalling their forces to help steer the legislative decisions that can dramatically impact their businesses. So why haven’t we?
Understandably, many of us, weighted down by the demands of running a profitable business, (or fighting for survival in a recessionary economy), don’t feel we have the time. For right or for wrong, others simply believe it’s somebody else’s job. Not to mention that the basic structure of our industry doesn’t exactly lend itself to collective action. We are, by nature, a diverse and wide-ranging collection of businesses, many of which are seasonal, with a preponderance of small business and sometimes highly regionalized competitive interests.
Regardless of the reasons why, we’ll never realize the full potential of our industry unless we’re all willing to engage ourselves in the legislative process. It doesn’t matter that we’re the second largest industry in the state; nor does it matter that Michigan is by far the most unique and attractive destination in this part of the country. We’ll never be a whole lot better than we are, unless tourism business operators plug themselves into governmental affairs. In short, our industry has failed to collectively lay a foundation on which to launch our governmental affairs efforts.
That’s the bad news, and as the saying goes, “nothing changes, if nothing changes.” But the good news here is there are some ways that we can personally improve our industry’s lot in legislative life; and they’re not as difficult or time consuming as you might think.
Add these to your “Things to Do” list and take a few minutes to strengthen our industry’s ability to better advocate on behalf of your business.
1. Join an Association
If you’re not a member, join the association that best represents your specific business. There are excellent associations that represent the virtually all components of the tourism industry. The strength of each is determined by the number of members they represent. Whether you’re a campground operator, festival organizer, hotel manager or snowmobile dealer there are TICOM member associations that exist expressly to serve your needs. Join one! When these associations become stronger, so does our industry.
2. Contribute 1-2 days of Volunteer Time to your Association
If you’re already a member – or once you join – contribute a day or two of your time to that association. Join a committee, help plan an event, represent your industry at a meeting or even just attend one of your association’s educational seminars. The real strength of an association comes from the synergy created when members volunteer just a few hours of their time. When this happens our entire industry becomes stronger.
3. Make a $50 contribution to your Association’s PAC
Political Action Committees exist to enable organizations to help elect legislators that are supportive of the concerns of their members. Farmers, doctors, teachers and union members all support their PACs. Bluntly speaking, so should you. And at a cost of just over 13 cents a day, your $50 personal contribution is the most affordable means you have to help elect legislators who support your concerns. When this takes place, the Tourism Industry’s ability to represent our collective concerns becomes much stronger.
Finally, support your Association’s efforts through the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan. TICOM representatives have already met with key legislative leaders and are awaiting a meeting with representatives of the Granholm administration. We’ve delivered a special flyer and videotape ("Travel & Tourism Means Jobs for Michigan") to the entire Legislature, in order to describe the important contributions that our industry makes to Michigan’s economy.
In short, TICOM is taking the initial steps towards increasing our industry’s clout in Lansing. You can help by supporting your own association, volunteering your time and contributing to your PAC fund. By supporting and working with your association, you can help TICOM lay the foundation for a stronger legislative future. And that’s good news for Michigan’s Travel & Tourism Industry.
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