Photography By Blair

Pure Michigan Conference 2012 Grand Rapids

Photos — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:52:11 +0000

Pure Michigan Conference 2012 at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids was the best conference ever. Over 900 participants this year and the mood was very positive. Michigan is ranked No. 7 nationally in both total and leisure travel by the U.S. Travel Association. From our Governor Rick Snyder and many of our State representatives and “Miss Michigan” Elizabeth Wertenberger. Also in attendance was Dan Musser from the Grand Hotel and Mary McGuire from the Travel and Tourism Bureau on Mackinac Island. Michigan was well represented at this conference. George Zimmermann the director of “Pure Michigan” and Steve Yencich director of the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association along with the mayor of Grand Rapids George Heartwell presented us with a very bright outlook for the future of tourism in Michigan. It was again an honor to photograph this event.

Below are some highlights and additional information, links for your pleasure.

According to at least one study, Pure Michigan returns more than $2 in tax revenue for every $1 invested, making this a very successful program that takes pressure off future budgets. … Our first priority in Michigan is revitalizing our economy and creating jobs. The Pure Michigan campaign attracts thousands of new tourists to Michigan, creating opportunities for local business owners such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels, bait shops, boat rental companies, and everything in between.We had a very early spring in March this year.

One of our “Pure Michigan” ads links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW8X1bw7LxU&feature=bf_prev&list=ULB2o7PSwuWYw

Elizabeth Wertenberger “Miss Michigan” 2011

The morning dancers to wake us up, get us and motivated for the day ahead. What an amazing performance. Hat’s off to them.

There also were many awards presented for excellent achievements in the tourism industry which are all well deserved when you here and understand there story. Quite amazing.

Over all, I was motivated to see Michigan move forward in a positive energy for the future of our state.

Additional pictures can be viewed at :

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150799605869200.415773.260949219199&type=3

Tourism officials and industry analysts say the campaign is paying big dividends for Michigan: 2 million visitors who wouldn’t otherwise have visited, spending $605 million. And between 2009 and 2010, the tourism industry grew by $2 billion, enough to generate an additional 10,000 jobs for Michigan, they say.

“I think the Pure Michigan campaign has to rank among the most well-crafted and appropriate destination campaigns in the United States, Yesawich said. We focus on destination marketing. George Zimmermann is doing a terrific job, in a challenging economic environment, to make Michigan a summer seasonal destination.”“According to at least one study, Pure Michigan returns more than $2 in tax revenue for every $1 invested, making this a very successful program that takes pressure off future budgets. … Our first priority in Michigan is revitalizing our economy and creating jobs. The Pure Michigan campaign attracts thousands of new tourists to Michigan, creating opportunities for local business owners such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels, bait shops, boat rental companies, and everything in between. According to the 2010 study, the latest available, more than 2 million visitors who would not have traveled to Michigan otherwise spent $605 million statewide as a direct result of the $9.8 million Pure Michigan program. This research revealed that this new visitor spending generated $43 million in incremental state tax collections, creating a return on investment of $4.32 for each state dollar spent on tourism advertising”.

Key to Industry Success? Keep Working to Maintain Rapport with Policymakers

One of the biggest threats to our industry’s success is complacency. It would be easy to think now that we’ve won $25 million in annual funding for Pure Michigan, we can forget about legislators and just go back to work. But while improved, Michigan still ranks only 14th nationally in total tourism spending. (Shouldn’t we be in at least the top ten)? More importantly, doing nothing would eventually put us in the same place we were back in 2003, when our industry had no unified message and absolutely no collective rapport with legislators in Lansing.

If we want to make gains in the future, it’s important for us to continue to do the things that have brought us success in the past. We must continue to keep Michigan’s tourism Industry, it’s issues, and the important role tourism plays in our state’s economy in front of legislators, the media, industry stakeholders and the voting public, (especially in this election year).

That’s why MLTA created the Tourism Improving Michigan’s Economy (TIME) Alliance, Inc. Last fall, when 64 freshmen legislators had yet to complete their first year, TIME mailed a series of five letters to all members of the House and Senate to provide basic information on Michigan’s Tourism Industry. But orientation efforts can’t and didn’t stop there…

“Take TIME for Tourism” Radio Ad Campaign Delivers our Industry’s Message

As we move closer to all-important House elections, we’ve taken such efforts to the next level with the creation of the “Take TIME for Tourism” radio ad campaign. This initiative employs a series of 60 second radio ads which discuss basic tourism industry facts.

Thus far, seven ads have been produced and aired. However, the truly creative aspect of this campaign is that none of the ads are read by radio personalities. Instead, all ads feature the voices of the industry leaders who invested in this important informational campaign. While these are radio ads, our staff has added videos to each to make them a little more interesting. Here are six of the seven ads we’ve aired to date. Just click on the their names to listen to the ad.

Dan Musser – Grand Hotel - Importance/Effectiveness of Pure Michigan campaign

Amy Seng - Ludington CVB – Tourism’s impact on local jobs

Brad Van Dommelen – Traverse City CVB - Permanent funding for Pure Michigan

Tom Nemacheck – UPTRA - Importance of Pure Michigan and tourism for Upper Peninsula

Dave Clouse – Education Foundation - Number of colleges offering hospitality degrees

Peter Fitzsimons – Petsokey Area CVB - Jobs (direct and secondary) tourism provides

Lilac House Bed & Breakfast 2012 Season

Photos — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:51:34 +0000

The Lilac House Bed & Breakfast will open for the 2012 season May 11th.

Step back in time, spend a leisurely vacation in historic accommodations at “The Lilac House Bed and Breakfast”.

A block from the boat docks, on the corner of Market and Astor Streets on beautiful Mackinac Island.

So much history to see on Mackinac Island.

A little background on “MACKINAC”. The name is pronounced “Mackinaw” and is Chippewa Indian for “Turtle”. An apt description, since the Island, when viewed from above, resembles a partially-submerged turtle with a semi-flat shell.

and of course Lilacs everywhere and the Famous Lilac Festival In June….

For additional information visit the link below:

http://www.lilachousebedandbreakfast.com

or call us to make a reservation.

906-847-3708 or 305-304-0320

Resident photographer Steven Blair offers Photography Art and Island Treasures located right on property at the

“Artistic Mackinac Gallery & Studio”. Feel free to stop in and visit. He has a wealth of information of Island history.

Lilacs symbolize love.

Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of about 20–25 cultivated species of flowering plants in the olive family (Oleaceae).

In addition to the cultivated species of Lilacs, there are many more hybrids, and over 1,000 total varieties of Lilac bushes (along with a few varieties of actual trees).

Lilacs are native to Eastern Europe and Asia. The colonists brought them to America in the 17th century.

The term “Lilac trees” can be mistakenly attached to any of the many varieties of Lilac bushes. Lilac shrubs/bushes grow from six to twenty feet tall. True Lilac trees, like the Peking tree Lilac and the Japanese tree Lilac, both from Asia, may reach heights over 30 feet.

Lilacs can vary in shape and/or form. Some may be rounded, vase-like, tall and spreading, tall and straight or a combination of these shapes.

Flowering varies between mid-spring to early summer and, unfortunately, normally only lasts two to three weeks, depending on the species and the weather.

Lilac flowers span a wonderful array of colors (white, violet, blue, lilac, pink, red, purple and some even bicolored). Shades vary depending on weather (hot versus cool and dry versus wet), year, soil, environment and overall location differences.

Lilacs have pyramidal clusters of blossoms with both single and double varieties – all with glossy green leaves.

It is the cultivar and species of Lilac bush which affects the fragrance, NOT the flower’s color.

Aside from Roses, there is no flower as beautiful and aromatic as Lilacs. Of the two, Lilacs have a stronger, more intoxicating scent which carries quite a distance.

Although Lilacs display flowers among the most delicate of the ornamentals, the plants are among the hardiest. Some newer hybrid varieties can survive winter temperatures of -60ºF.

You prune Lilacs immediately after the enjoyment of the fragrant blossoms in the late Spring/early Summer.

Lilacs were grown in America’s first botanical gardens. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them in their gardens. Lilac bushes can live for hundreds of years, so who knows, a bush planted way back when may actually still be around…

Mackinac Island Weddings 2011

Photos — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:48:36 +0000

2011 Wedding Season on Mackinac Island was “Spactabulas”. So many beautiful summer days, Brides & Grooms and family and friends made for the most pleasurable season ever. The countless hours that are put into making your special day is endless from scheduling all the important meetings from the dress, tuxes, venues, music, reception, minister, ceremony venue, guest list, photographers, guest room for all your friends & family, and then you arrive to catch your Wedding boat to Mackinac Island. Then you arrive and are picked up by horse and buggy and taken to your Hotel/Inn/Resort and your Wedding dreams began. Below are some of the most memorable wedding pictures and stories of 2011.

Heather & Jason 62511

A beautiful June afternoon at Mission Point Resort starting with the ceremony at the Gazebo and then a Cinderella carriage ride through the Island.

That takes you through downtown Mackinac Island,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

To the lakeshore over looking the straights of Mackinac,

To the ride pass Grand Hotel to West Bluff.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Then the ride from West Bluff to East Bluff,

Passing by the Fort Mackinac to East bluff,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Heading to East bluff over looking The straights of Mackinac and Round Island Lighthouse,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

and the ride back to Mission Point Resort.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Then some family pictures on the lawn,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

to that special time with the bride and groom.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Then to the reception to celebrate into the evening.

Congratulations to Heather & Jason.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

A very beautiful couple, just the two of us, Kelly & Kevin on the porch of the Grand Hotel.

A gorgeous day for their Wedding on Mackinac Island.

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

A ride downtown Mackinac Island.

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Another beautiful Wedding at the Grand Hotel with the Bride in the lobby before the celebration.

Lindsey & Horatio 9-18-11

Pre-Wedding ceremony pictures on the front steps of the Grand Hotel.

Lindsey & Horatio 9-18-11

Ceremony at the Tea Garden on the front lawn of the Grand Hotel.