Michigan Tourism Investment Forum
The Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center and The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University are co-hosting the first annual Michigan Tourism Investment Forum on May 26-27, 2004, at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Michigan. The purpose of this 1-˝ day event is to help stimulate tourism-related investments in Michigan by increasing the investment community’s awareness of the many development opportunities available in our state.
The Forum will feature panel discussions and presentations on topics of importance to the tourism development and investment community, presented by industry leaders from both the private and public sectors.
Confirmed speakers include:
James F. Anhut, Senior Vice President of Brand Management, Staybridge Suites
Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong, Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University
Peggy Berg, President, The Highland Group
Dr. Kenneth D. Boyer - Professor of Economics, Michigan State University
James Burba, President, Horwath Hospitality Investment Advisors
Dr. Ronald F. Cichy, CHA, Director & Professor, The School of Hospitality Business, Michigan State University
Jim Coburn, Vice-President National City Bank, former President and current Treasurer of the National Marine Bankers Association
Dr. Joan P. Crary, Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Economics, University of Michigan
Dan Daniele, President, Baymont Inns & Suites
Tami Door, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Detroit Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Robert B. Duncan, Dean, The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University
Doug Etkin, President of Etkin Equities, LLC
Dr. Ronald C. Fisher, Professor of Economics, Michigan State University
Steven K. Hamp, President, The Henry Ford
Joel W. Hiser, CEO, Horwath Hospitality Investment Advisors
Dr. Donald F. Holecek, Director, Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center at Michigan State University
Sally Laukitis, Executive Director, Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Suzanne Mark, Vice President of Education and Professional Development, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
Dan Musser, Chairman, Grand Hotel
Dr. H. Christopher Peterson, Director, Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Walter Preble, Consultant and Conversions Specialist, Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
Dr. Gary Sands, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Wayne State University
William Sheffer, Director, Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds
Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon, Provost, Michigan State University
Wanda Spencer, President, The Spencer Group
Dr. John D. Warbach, Principal, Planning and Zoning Center, Inc.
David D. Waddell, Attorney, Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis & Dunlap, P.C.
Steven J. Yencich, President/CEO, Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association
Carol Zazo, Director of Marketing, The Henry Ford
Bill Zehnder, President, Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant
George Zimmermann, Senior V.P., Travel Michigan & Business Marketing, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Information and networking opportunities will be offered across the full range of developments with the potential to attract tourists: lodging properties (both small and large), casinos, marinas, campgrounds, spas, festivals and events, and shopping complexes, in projects that vary in scale from small to large. Emphasis will be placed not only on new developments, but also on the expansion or renovation of existing properties. In effect, the forum will be an efficient market where all of the players engaged in tourism development and operations are present in one place and at one time with the mutual objective of “making deals.”
Forum sponsors include:
AAA Michigan
Baymont Inns & Suites
Capital Choice Partnership/Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University
Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, Michigan State University
Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University
Hyatt Regency-Dearborn
Michigan Bankers Association
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Hotel, Motel and Resort Association
Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources
The School of Hospitality Business, Michigan State University
Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan
Travel Michigan
Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center, Michigan State University
For more information and registration information, please visit the Forum's web site at www.tourism.msu.edu/forum or contact Gary Warnell at the Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center at 517-353-0793 or by e-mail at warnell@msu.edu.
Space is limited, so register online today and take advantage of our early bird special!
