UPWARD2

When

Tuesday May 29, 2012 - Golf scramble - noon EST

Business After Hours/Reception - 5:30 pm EST

When

Wednesday May 30, 2012 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT

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Where

Island Resort and Casino 
US 399 Hwy 2
Harris, MI 49845 

 
Driving Directions 

Professional Development Workshops and Roundtable Topics:
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Social Media
  • Low Cost Business Marketing
  • Grants and Resources
  • Community Collaboration
  • Tourism Success Stories
  • Industry Concerns
  • Business Promotion and Advertising
  • And more!

 

Business and Community Showcase 

Booth

The business and community showcase booths are 10' x 3'. A table, skirting and two chairs will be provided to accommodate your table top display.


We encourage community sharing! You may include anyone you want in your space. Booths are $99 and one ticket to the conference is included in the price of a booth.

Registration Information:  

  • $59.00 admission includes continental breakfast and lunch
  • $99.00 showcase booth includes one summit registration
  • $49.00 golf scramble and reception to follow (May 29th)
  • $59 special lodging rate includes:
    • Gaming package
    • Complimentary beverage
    • Restaurant discount

Media Sponsors: Eagle Radio Classic Hits

Bay Radio Logo

Point Radio Logo

TV6 FOX UP

Daily Press

RRN

Participating UPWard partners:

Delta Chamber Logo

Delta CVB

Northern Initiatives

Davie Multimedia

Schoolcraft County

MW - MISBTDC - PTAC Logo

Things to do in the U.P.

Marquette CVB

 

Contact

Robert Micheau 
UPWard Initiative 
rmicheau@jobforce.org 
906-280-4358 
 

2012 Tourism and Professional Development Conference

2012 Tourism Conference Lighten UPMay 29th - Golf scramble - Noon EST - Sweetgrass Golf Course 

Business After Hours/ReceptionIs - 5:30 pm EST - Island Resort & Casino

May 30th - Tourism Conference and Showcase - Island Resort & Casino

 Keynote: Bruce Goddard - Lighten UP! A View from a Hearse 

Bruce GoddardMost of you have probably never heard of Reynolds, Georgia but you may be familiar with a town like it. Our speaker says it was a town that was very conducive for a child growing up in the early sixties to learn all the lessons he would ever need in life. He says he wouldn't take a million dollars for growing up in that little town.

He will make you laugh. He will make you cry. But above all, he will make you thankful for the true blessings of life and doing business in a small community.

 Luncheon Keynote: David Lorenz, Manager, Public and Industry Relations, Travel Michigan  

David Lorenz

David Lorenz is the Manager of Public and Industry Relations for Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation - the official State of Michigan tourism promotion agency. He oversees Travel Michigan's public relations activities. He also manages Travel Michigan's efforts in the areas of international marketing, packaged travel, conventions and meetings, industry relations, golf and sports-event promotion.

 

Prior to coming to Travel Michigan in October 2002, Mr. Lorenz was the Manager, Partnerships and Promotions, for Meijer, Inc. where he was responsible for the facilitation of collaborative marketing programs with key consumer goods manufacturers.

Breakout Sessions:

Upping Your Wattage - Customer Service Training 

B.D.D.

Mike Dupont, Dan Doyle and Steve Buckbee

B.D.D. Training Associates

Customer Service Excellence

Upping Your Wattage: Improve your connection and communication with staff and customers to increase the wattage of your business so we all shine better!

Low Cost Business Marketing 

Jodie BissonetteJodie R. Bissonette
VP - General Manager
Gaslight Media

Why have a Web site? Building a business plan for your Web presence: Investing in your Web site will ultimately save you time and money.

Learn more about the marketing value of Pinterest and QR codes.

Agritourism & Direct Marketing: Are They For You?    

Michelle Walk

Michelle Walk

MSU Extension

Agricultural tourism, is a growing segment of U.S. tourism.  Encompassing everything from a visit at a farm stand to a week-long stay at a farm, agritourism is an excellent way to bolster a rural economy.  The U.P. already draws visitors eager to see the beauty of our natural resources.  Inviting them to see local food production on farms is a logical next step.  Find out which of the many agritourism options might be in your community and how to connect with this growing tourism sector. 

Business Development Through Social Media

Northern Initiatives

Northern Initiatives

Of all social networking sites, Facebook is the most visited by users from the United States. Learn how to use Facebook effectively for your small business: Grow your fan base, engage with your audience, and measure success.

 

Marketing 101

 Joanna W-A

Joanna Wilbee Amis

HobNob Communications, President

 

Wilbee Amis will share strategies that any business, regardless of size, can follow to stand out from the competition. The session will include tips for making good marketing decisions, critical mistakes to avoid, the latest social media options available and most importantly how to maximize exposure on any budget.

“Destination…Store!”   

Denise Hansen

Denise Hansen

 Professional Retail Marketing Consultant

In this presentation, learn how to:

  • Provide a rich experience for customers
  •  Develop a holistic approach that involves both emotional and rational triggers of customers
  • Realize higher traffic and longer stays than typical retailers
  • Create an interactive experience that no one else can  replicate, therefore making YOU a Destination Store!