What is a tourism investment forum?

Tourism investment forums are special events where all of the players engaged in tourism-related development and operations are present in one place and at one time with the mutual objective of “making deals.” The exchange of information at these events is facilitated through structured sessions (i.e., general and concurrent sessions typically featuring expert panels focused on topics of common interest) and less structured sessions (i.e., a reception and exhibits/displays) that allow participants to network freely.

Participants may include developers, financiers, architects, consultants, builders, insurers, franchisers, interior designers, landscapers, furnishing suppliers, government regulators and economic development officers, and many others.

Why does Michigan need a tourism investment forum?

What can be done to reverse Michigan travel trade deficit?

The possibility of hosting a Michigan-specific tourism investment forum was considered by a panel of industry leaders at the annual Michigan Tourism Outlook Conference at Michigan State University. Based upon the positive feedback received, faculty in the Michigan Tourism Resource Center and The School of Hospitality Business began planning the first Michigan Tourism Investment Forum.  We believe that what has proven to be a popular and successful model for stimulating major hotel and resort development can be adapted to serve the Michigan tourism investment community.

The Michigan Tourism Investment Forum will offer information and networking opportunities 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 short, we are striving to produce an event that will serve Michigan's highly diverse and loosely linked tourism industry by providing in one place and at one time  timely investment information as well as ready access to a full range of partners who are needed to engage in the development process.

The tentative lists of topics are as follows:

• State of the Michigan Tourism Industry
• State of the Economy - Is It a Good Time to Invest in Tourism?
• Cool Cities
• What Can Governments Offer?
• The Investment Climate for Lodging
• The Investment Climate for Commercial Recreation Enterprises
• Attractions: Job Creators, Traffic Generators and Revenue Enhancers
• Designing, Renovating and Repositioning Hotels
• Bringing It All Together: Public-Private Partnerships
• Finance: Finding the Money
• Development Zones, Land Use and the Environment
• Asset Management

Anyone who is involved or wants to be involved in tourism development should consider attending this forum. These include:

• Those currently engaged in tourism businesses that are considering making new investments;
• Those who are considering entering the industry for the first time;
• Those who provide financing for tourism developments;
• Those who design, construct, furnish, or provide consulting or other products or services to developers;
• Those who frame development policies/regulations and those who implement them;
• Those who are engaged in promoting economic development (e.g., state, county, region, tribal economic development officials);
• Those associated with destination marketing organizations
   

What are the registration fees?

Forum registration fees are as follows:

Regular registration: $299 by May 19, 2004
Late registration: $349 after May 19, 2004

NOTE: Registrations at the door are not guaranteed