A Comprehensive Review of Michigan's Tourism Industry

Michigan's casino gaming industry has rapidly become a major component to the state's tourism industry. As the industry expands in Michigan and the acceptance to gaming increases, it is likely that the industry will become even more connected to the state's tourism marketing campaigns. Tourism is extremely important to many communities in Michigan and learning more about Michigan's tourism industry is key to almost every community in Michigan.

The Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center at Michigan State University and The School of Hospitality Business 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 1-½ day event is to help stimulate tourism-related investments by increasing the investment community's awareness of the many development opportunities available in Michigan.

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. Here is a partial list of the confirmed moderators and speakers:

Welcome address

MSU Provost Lou Anna K. Simon

The State of the Michigan Tourism Industry: Cool Cities

George Zimmerman, Vice President, Travel Michigan

The Investment Climate for the Lodging Industry

James Burba, President, Horwath Hospitality Investment Advisors

The Investment Climate for Commercial Recreation Enterprises

William Sheffer, Director, Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds

The State of the Economy: Is it a Good Time to Invest in Tourism?

Dr. Ronald C. Fisher, Professor of Economics, Michigan State University

Finance: Finding the Money

Joel W. Hiser, CEO, Horwath Hospitality Investment Advisors

Designing, Renovating & Repositioning Hotels

Peggy Berg, President, The Highland Group (moderator)

Development Zones, Land Use and the Environment

Dr. John D. Warbach, Principal, Planning and Zoning Center, Inc.

Attractions: Job Creators, Traffic Generators & Revenue Enhancers

Dr. Donald F. Holecek, Director, Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center at Michigan State University (moderator)

Asset Management

Wanda Spencer, President, The Spencer Group

Consumer Trends: Implications for Tourism Development

Dr. H. Christopher Peterson of the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

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 the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, the Michigan Hotel, Motel and Resort Association, the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Travel Industry Coalition of Michigan and the Hyatt Regency-Dearborn.

For more information or to register, please visit the Forum's web site at www.tourism.msu.edu/forum or contact Alex Nikoloff at the Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center by phone: 517-353-0793, or by e-mail: nikoloff@msu.edu.