When Circle Michigan was formed in 1981, we were the first state association dedicated to exclusively promote group travel.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hello!from Janet Kasic Fast forward to 2014, CIRCLE MICHIGAN Circle Michigan group tourism in Michigan generates P.O. Box 541 Trenton, MI 48183 In 1981, film classics Raiders of the Lost Ark www.circlemichigan.com and Chariots of Fire brought the country into 1-800-513-6424 $1.575 billion movie theaters, while TV’s Hill Street Blues made in direct economic impact* millions want to stay home. And Mr. Black-Tie himself, Justin Timberlake, was born. That same year, a group of professionals met to establish a marketing association dedicated to group travel to and within Michigan. They called it Circle Michigan. We have been in the forefront of promoting group tourism ever since. From a handful of believers in ‘81 to today’s robust membership, Circle Michigan has come a long way. We now orchestrate marketing campaigns, media blitzes and conferences that engage and attract an evolving travel industry. We recognize that each member has a specific set of goals and resources to dedicate to group tours. Yet by working as one, our association ensures that all opportunities are in play to To experience Michigan, find creative tour increase awareness, enhance your branding and ideas and find everything a tour planner CIRCLE MICHIGAN attracts encourage groups to arrive at your door. needs to develop successful group tours to the state, visit www.circlemichigan.com. those dollars to our members Won’t you join us? Circle Michigan is dedicated exclusively to helping professional tour planners and suppliers meet challenges that are unique Janet Kasic to the group travel industry. Executive Director of Circle Michigan Join us! (800) 513-6424 Contact the Circle Michigan staff today for [email protected] more information about the organization 1-800-513-6424 www.circlemichigan.com and membership. *Source: American Bus Association Foundation/ John Dunham and Associates, Inc. New York, 2015 A partnership for success Membership benefits Circle Michigan is there for you!

At Circle Michigan, we promote your busi- Circle Michigan understands the business of Building relationships is key to growth ness to more than a carload of guests; we pro- group travel. Members receive valuable perks: within the group travel industry. As ambassadors mote it to busloads of guests. • Tour leads: Members receive hundreds of group for members at trade shows and conferences, tour leads throughout the year — all are the direct By monitoring travel trends and utilizing Circle Michigan provides an essential face-to-face result of the proactive sales solicitation conducted connection for our partners. partnerships, Circle Michigan develops memo- by Circle Michigan at trade shows, through sales rable itineraries that include our members from calls and on sales blitzes. Members are welcome to • American Bus Association join the Circle Michigan team on a sales blitz. • National Tour Association all over the state. • Ontario Motorcoach Association • Itineraries: All members are showcased in Circle • Pennsylvania Bus Association Itineraries are the most sought after informa- Michigan itineraries, which are heavily marketed to • International Pow Wow the group tour industry. tion within the group tour industry. Members • Travel Alliance Partners of Circle Michigan are provided with exclusively • Familiarization tours: Travel planners from • Heartland Travel Showcase developed itineraries available online, in print throughout the state join us on short but jam- • Active America West packed tours of different areas of Michigan. • Going On Faith and showcased at industry events. • Circle Michigan Magazine: The annual guide • Select Traveler includes a listing of members is distributed to • Boomers In Groups more than 10,000 qualified professional travel plus planners throughout the U.S. and Canada. ITINERARY • Circle Michigan Sales Blitzes Southeast Michigan • Coach Stop E-news: Each member is highlighted • Circle Michigan Familiarization Tours in two newsletters, as well as itineraries. • Motorcycle travel forums • Online listing: Meadow Brook Hall, The membership directory is and NEW! Rochester Photo: Meadow Brook Hall available online at www.circlemichigan.com. • Recreational vehicle shows Upstairs downstairs • Trade show representation: Members are • Women’s travel groups Negaunee Christmas At home with automotive aristocracy represented at the industry’s leading trade shows • Receptive Tour Operator Day One Paradise and conferences. • Summit West–Asian market Brimley Begin the day at one of the automotive industry’s greatest legacies — The Henry Ford in Dearborn. Meet with a tour guide to Grosse Pointe Shores. Then, step inside the • Circle Michigan Foundation: Circle Michigan Harris explore what Conde Nast Traveler calls one of main building within the village-like cluster the country’s best museums. of English Tudor buildings. The garage is a Mackinaw City Foundation provides a permanently endowed fund There are three main unique attractions: popular spot; its rotating floors made certain Mackinac Island Henry Ford Museum with the “Driving that any of the cars faced the garage door to for scholarships and field trips in Michigan. Indian River Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall, America” exhibit; Greenfield Village for a be ready for departure. Map Legen Model T ride; and the all-new Ford Rouge Rochester “Experience Grand Rapids has been a member of Circle Michigan d Suttons Bay Photo: Meadow Brook Hall Factory Empir , where visitors view live production Day Two Upper P e of the first aluminum truck. All three areas average two hours each to explore. In traffic, it is about a 33-minute ride for over 30 years. Grand Rapids motorcoach tours have increased eninsula Frankfort Hillman Acme from city center to Meadow Brook Hall and Elberta Some of the most important examples of West gardens in Rochester. due to being a member of Circle Michigan. My suggestion to Benzonia residential architecture in the United States “Circle Michigan soft sells its membership contagiously even were built in metro Detroit. These grand Built from 1926–29 during an era of East estates were the homes of the nation’s auto grand country estates, it does not disappoint. without the member present. The sales lead database is a huge new members it to get involved. Circle Michigan members do a Houghton Lake barons, whose innovations opened doors for Matilda Dodge Wilson and her second hus- Southwest them all over the world, yet all chose to stay band and lumber broker, Alfred Wilson, later resource; education, networking and invites to partner with other great job of selling and marketing each other. I am a past Circle “The Henry Ford has beenin their homea member state of Michigan. of Open Circle for Michiganexpanded the propertysince to include several Southeast Edsel Garden& Eleanor near Ford pool, House, tours, each provides a peek into the pri- residences. members to sell directly to domestic and international package Michigan President, been involved with the marketing and its inception.GrosseAu Gr Pointe Shores It has proved invaluable for trade show and sales es vate lives of their owners, the Ford and the A National Historic Landmark, the 110- New Era Photo: Detroit Metro CVB Dodge-Wilson families. room mansion replete with Tiffany glass, fine strategic planning committees. All allowed me to meet other and decorative art receives 70,000 visitors a travel buyers makes this membership an exceptional value.” Mount mission leads, bookingsThe andDetroit Metronetworking.” CVB customizes many Pleasant year. –Bay Carol City Kendra, Vicetours President, for groups. A tour stop Communications, at one of the Sales & – Julia Luckey-Ottenwess, Director of Group Tours, members and learn about their area, attraction or hotel.” Saginaw estates is always a plus. The home of Edsel Guided tours include the three main floors of the hall; average tour time is 75 Holland Chesaning Frankenmuth Ford’s father, Henry Ford, recently opened Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island Service, The Henry Ford minutes. Group lunch and tour combinations – Mary Manier, Director of Sales, Experience Grand Rapids Saugatuck Owosso Birch Run only for group tours. are available during the annual Holiday Walk. South Haven Enjoy dinner and the sunset over Lake St. Clair at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Arrange for box lunches and dine on Coloma Benton Harbor Wayland property, then head back to the city for free Hickory Corners time and an overnight before heading home.• Aubur Portage n Three Rivers Battle Hills Creek New Buf Niles Somerset Rochester Hills falo Grosse Point Shor Dearbor es n Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores Photo: Detroit Metro CVB

48 Circle Michigan Premier Group Travel Guide I 2015