Schedule of Events for “Driving Tourism 2008”

Special General Session Presentation
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Tuesday, April 15th
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

"Stars of the Industry Dinner and Awards Ceremony"
MSU Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo
Tuesday, April 15th
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 13, 2008
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MHMRA Executive Committee Meeting
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. MHMRA Board of Directors Meeting
3:00 - 3:30pm MHMRA Board of Directors/Travel Commission Informal Meeting
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Travel Commission Meeting
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration Opens
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

“Driving Tourism” Reception/FAM Tour
The Grand Rapids Art Museum, the first newly-constructed, LEED-certified art museum in the world
8:00 p.m. Dinner on Own

MONDAY, April 14, 2008
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Full Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Opening General Session (Welcome)
8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Keynote - Erik Hastings
“Big Marketing Ideas for a Small Budget”
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Michigan 2008 Tourism Forecast (MSU)
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Networking Break
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. AAA Awards Luncheon
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Legislative Panel
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Break
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
  • Judy King, Quality Management Services, Customer Service
  • International Tourism Marketing (Toby McCarrick)
  • Rollin’ RV Revenue (Dottie Maitland)
  • Student Roundtable
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Break (Refresh for Dinner and Reception)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

“Pure Michigan Reception”
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
(MI Wines, MI Foods)
8:30 p.m. Booth Newspaper Hospitality Suite

TUESDAY, April 15, 2008
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Keynote - Josh Hallett
“Promoting Your Destination in the Age of YouTube, MySpace and Facebook”
9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Travel Commission
"Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan Implementation Successes"
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

George Zimmermann
“Pure Michigan” 2007 Results, 2008 Action Plan
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. All Industry Luncheon-Vendor Stations-Silent Auction-Network, JW Marriott Grand Rapids
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. John Sarver
"Michigan's GREEN Lodging & Tourism Initiatives"
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Networking Break
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Special General Session Presentation
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
  • CVB Panel, Urban Marketing
  • Lights, Camera, Action ........ Michigan!
  • What’s Your Story? Tapping Travel Media
  • Legal Breakout, Human Resource FAQ, Steve Palazzolo
  • Student Panel
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

“Stars of the Industry Reception” (JW)
Network-Vendor Stations-Silent Auction winners-Door prize winners
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. "Stars of the Industry Dinner and Awards Ceremony"
Featuring MSU Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo

*Schedule is subject to change.

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