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 Circle Michigan is isthere key to growth for you! Building relationships within the group travel industry. As ambassadors Membership benefits for members at trade shows and conferences, understands the business of Circle Michigan provides an essential face-to-face connection for our partners. Circle Michigan • American Bus Association National Tour Association group travel. Members Members receive hundreds valuable ofperks: group • - Ontario Motorcoach Association • Tour leads: • A partnership for success- • Pennsylvania Bus Association we pro tour leads throughout the year — all are the direct , we promote your busi result of the proactive sales solicitation conducted • International Pow Wow by Circle Michigan at trade shows, through sales • Travel Alliance Partners At Circle Michigan calls and on sales blitzes. Members are welcome to • Heartland Travel Showcase ness to more than a carload of guests; - join the Circle Michigan team on a sales blitz. • Active America West All members are showcased in Circle Going On Faith mote it to busloads of guests. • • Itineraries: • Select Traveler Michigan itineraries, which are heavily marketed to By monitoring travel trends and utilizing Travel planners from • Boomers In Groups the group tour industry. partnerships, Circle Michigan develops memo - plus Familiarization tours: • Circle Michigan Sales Blitzes rable itineraries that include our members from throughout the state join us on The short annual but jam- guide • all over the state. packed tours of different areas of Michigan. • Circle Michigan Familiarization Tours • Motorcycle travel forums Itineraries are the most sought after informa • Circle Michigan Magazine: includes a listing of members is distributed to and NEW! tion within the group tour industry. Members more than 10,000 qualified professional travel Recreational vehicle shows Each member is highlighted • of Circle Michigan are provided with exclusively planners throughout the U.S. and Canada. • Women’s travel groups developed itineraries available online, in print Coach Stop E-news: • Receptive Tour Operator • Summit West–Asian market and showcased at industry events. in two newsletters, The as membership well as itineraries. directory is • • Online listing: Members are available online at www.circlemichigan.com. • Trade show representation: ITINERARY Circle Michigan Experience Grand Rapids has been a member of Circle Michigan Southeast Michigan represented at the industry’s leading trade shows “ and conferences. for over 30 years. Grand Rapids motorcoach tours have increased due to being a member of Circle Michigan. My suggestion to Circle Michigan Foundation: • new members it to get involved. Circle Michigan members do a Meadow Brook Hall, Foundation provides a permanently endowed fund Rochester great job of selling and marketing each other. I am a past Circle Photo: Meadow Brook Hall for scholarships and field trips in Michigan. Michigan President, been involved with the marketing and Upstairs downstairs strategic planning committees. All allowed me to meet other Negaunee Christmas At home with automotive aristocracy members and learn about their area, attraction or hotel.” Day One Paradise – Mary Manier, Director of Sales, Experience Grand Rapids Brimley Begin the day at one of the automotive “ Circle Michigan soft sells its membership contagiously even industry’s greatest legacies — The Henry Ford in Dearborn. Meet with a tour guide to Grosse Pointe Shores. Then, stepwithout inside the the member present. The sales lead database is a huge 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 garageresource; is a education, networking and invites to partner with other Mackinaw City 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 doormembers to to sell directly to domestic and international package 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 travel buyers makes this membership an exceptional value.” 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 – Julia Luckey-Ottenwess, Director of Group Tours, average two hours each to explore. In traffic, it is about a 33-minute ride eninsula Frankfort Hillman Acme from city center to Meadow Brook Hall and Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island Elberta Some of the most important examples of West gardens in Rochester. Benzonia residential architecture in the United States 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. Houghton Lake barons, whose innovations opened doors for Matilda Dodge Wilson and her second hus- Southwest “ The Henry Ford has been athem member all over the world,of Circle yet all chose Michigan to stay band since and lumber broker, Alfred Wilson, later in their home state of Michigan. Open for expanded the property to include several Southeast its inception.Edsel Garden& Eleanor near FordIt pool, House,has provedtours, invaluable each provides a peek for into trade the pri- show andresidences. sales GrosseAu Gr Pointe Shores es vate lives of their owners, the Ford and the A National Historic Landmark, the 110- New Era missionPhoto: leads, Detroit Metro CVB bookings andDodge-Wilson networking.” families. room mansion replete with Tiffany glass, fine and decorative art receives 70,000 visitors a Mount The Detroit Metro CVB customizes many Pleasant – Carol Kendra, Vice President, Communications,year. Sales & Bay City tours for groups. A tour stop at one of the Service,Saginaw The Henryestates Ford 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 minutes. Group lunch and tour combinations 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.