If your campground or RV park is celebrating a milestone year in 2009 (20th, 25th, 40th, 50th, etc) anniversary in 2009, please let me know so that I can add you to my list at www.PromoteMichigan.Blogspot.com. I just need your campground name, city and website. This list will also be sent to area media and tourism organizations.
Thank you!
Dianna Stampfler
ARVC Publicist
Dianna@PromoteMichigan.com
I am excited to announce that I am working with WGVU Public TV/Radio in gathering exciting packages and items for their 2009 online auction – April 13-27 – at WGVUAuction.org.
Last year was the second year of the new format at WGVUAuction.org and it was a tremendous success. The most exciting part was the 10%+ increase in the return on retail value of our items. This year’s Auction is going to be better than ever for all involved.
First off, items will be posted online at WGVUAuction.org the month that they’re collected – which means the sooner you donate, the more online exposure you’ll receive. Potential bidders will be able to view the online packages 24/7 at WGVUAuction.org. Items will be promoted in an e-newsletter, which is sent out monthly to 1500 subscribers. There’s also an increased exposure of your donation during the Preview Show, which runs several times per week for nearly a month leading up to the actual Auction. Not all items will be included in the preview show…but those in by February 1 will be considered based on actual and perceived value (ie “one of a kind” items or experiences).
Many of you have contributed to the WGVU Auction in the past…but my challenge to you this year is to go above and beyond what you did last year, either in terms of the individual package itself or the number of packages. For example, if you gave one weekend stay – consider giving two this year. If you offered a round of golf for two – consider giving a foursome, with cart. The Auction will be divided up into two sections (April 13-20 and April 20-27), so your contributions could be split between the two, giving you even more exposure to this prime demographic market.
Travel- and entertainment-based items seem to do the best (which is good for me, given that’s my area of expertise). These include lodging packages, restaurant gift certificates, winery/brewery tours, concert/theater performances, casino packages, golf packages, museum memberships and things along those lines.
I’m also looking for the “one-of-a-kind” experiences – things like a day with the Brewmaster, a special vineyard tour or barrel sample with the winemaker, a private dinner with a guest chef at the home of the highest bidder, a day of fishing with a pro, a private backyard BBQ party with a local musician/band, backstage passes to a major concert or performance, a round of golf with a pro, etc.
The attached one-sheet has all the specifics about the Auction, such as number of page views, logo impressions, bids placed, registrants and items auctioned.
If you are interested in making a contribution, please complete the form attached and fax it back to me at 269-204-6232. Be sure to include as much descriptive copy as possible (feel free to email that description as a separate document). Then, email a digital photograph or two and a web site address that we may put up with your item on WGVUAuction.org. Remember…the sooner the better…to provide you with the most online exposure.
Download Auction One-Sheet Here
Download Auction Donor Form Here
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. You know my long-standing promotional history in Michigan – I will not steer you wrong…and I appreciate your willingness to consider my request!
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WGVU Public Radio & TV are licensed in the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek designated broadcast market. It is the 38th largest market in the United States, serving over 650,000 television viewers and 32,000 radio listeners weekly. WGVU broadcast stations are licensed to Grand Valley State University, operating from the Meijer Public Broadcast Center in downtown Grand Rapids campus.
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Dianna Stampfler (Promote Michigan)
WGVU Auction Collection Coordinator
Dianna@promotemichigan.com
269-330-4228
Author and canoe enthusiast Doc Fletcher takes you on twenty adventures down rivers across the state of Michigan in his first book Weekend Canoeing in Michigan: The Rivers, The Towns, The Taverns. From the Ontonagon River in the western Upper Peninsula to the Huron River in southeastern Lower Michigan, Doc gives you the information and the desire to take up your paddles and follow the words of Henry David Thoreau – “Everyone must believe in something. I believe I’ll go canoeing.”
For the casual canoeist looking for a fun 2-4 hour trip, this book has everything you need to get the most out of your day. Planning is often half the fun and Doc gives you all the information you’ll need – the canoe livery, an overview of the river, level of difficulty, what music you’ll need to get you in the proper frame of mind, the local radio station to tune in the Tigers’ games, how far it is from various Michigan towns (and Milwaukee – the home of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer) and the tavern where you can grab a bite to eat and a beer after the trip.
While you’re on the river, Doc provides you with landmarks to help determine the speed, depth, width of the river, obstacles you might encounter and camping locations. From well-researched sources such as tavern placemats, barkeeps and their patrons you’ll have lots of history to discuss as Doc describes the nearby towns and their stories.
Doc Fletcher is a life-long Michigander who is truly “smitten with the mitten”. He took his first canoe ride in 1978 on the Pere Marquette River and ever since gets into a canoe whenever possible.
ORDER BOOKS AT A WHOLESALE RATE OF $10.77 (MINIMUM ORDER OF SIX BOOKS) DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER — ARBUTUS PRESS — BY CALLING TOlL FREE 866-794-8793. THIS PAPERBACK BOOK RETAILS FOR $17.95.
Hard to believe the summer is nearly over! I’m working on my next ARVC news release on the availability at member campgrounds for Labor Day Weekend. If you have spots open, please let me know by Friday, August 22. My release will go out on Monday, August 25 and will also be posted on the MichCampgrounds.com website.
I also welcome your POSITIVE comments about how the summer of 08 has been for you…did you see higher numbers because travelers were sticking close to home? Were stays longer than normal due to the consolidation of vacation schedules?
Also…if your community hosts a Labor Day celebration or event (such as the Mackinac Bridge Walk), please let me know about those as well.
When responding to this email, please be sure to include:
Campground Name
City
Phone
Website
Thank you!
Dianna Stampfler - Promote Michigan
Dianna@promotemichigan.com
Roll ‘Em: Film sets up shop in Leelanau
RV park is site for star-studded Hollywood movie
LAKE LEELANAU — Tourists and locals in this small, usually quiet resort town were abuzz with excitement as production crews prepared to film a movie.
Workers painted, drilled and pieced together a two-story trailer at Lake Leelanau RV Park for the set of “Youth in Revolt,” a flick starring Michael Cera, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Jean Smart.
“The people who reside at the park, the snowbirds, they’re just all atwitter, like Hollywood has come to our little corner of the world,” said Phillip Thies, owner of Jaffe’s Resale & Consignment shop in the heart of town. “They’ve certainly made it known they’re available to be an extra.”
The campground is one of several Michigan filming locations, including Frankfort, Interlochen and Royal Oak.
“Never in my wildest imagination would I have ever thought they’d be doing a movie in here,” said Don Wilson, who owns the RV park.
READ THE FULL STORY AND VIEW PICTURES HERE:
As an ARVC Michigan Campground, here is your opportunity to make the difference in someone’s life as well as promote your park during the 2008 camping season and beyond.
ARVC Michigan is teaming with Michigan Community Blood Centers — www.miblood.org — this season with blood drives at member campgrounds.
Blood needs don’t go away in the summer and at the same time many donors are away from home, so keeping the blood supply pumped up is a big seasonal challenge. To help meet it, Michigan Community Blood Centers can take blood donation on the road with their Blood Bus, a self-contained donation station, or by bringing equipment and drawing blood in a community room or clubhouse.
Kona Kenny, mobile recruiter from the Grand Valley region of Michigan Community Blood Centers met with lots of campground owners at the Spring ARVC Michigan Campground Owner’s Convention and Trade Show in Midland the end of March. She was able to explain the program and sign up parks who were interested in holding blood drives this summer. Several parks already have taken advantage of this promotion including the Grand Rogue and Lincoln Pines Resort.
Michigan Community Blood Centers supplies hospitals in several regions throughout the state; however not every campground is in in a coverage area so you will have to make a contact to find out if your campground is within a Blood Centers region.
Please try to take advantage of this opportunity and give consideration toward a wonderfully unselfish act during your camping season. Michigan Community Blood Centers as well as ARVC Michigan through its public relations company, Promote Michigan, will be helping you support this chance to give your guests the opportunity to become a compassionate donor.
Here are several contacts to try so that you may be able to put this on your campground events schedule.
Kona Kenny
Mobile Recruiter Grand Valley region of Michigan Blood Centers
616-774-2300 / 1-866-MIBLOOD
Dianna Stampfler
Promote Michigan Public Relations for ARVC Michigan
269-330-4228 / Dianna@promotemichigan.com
Wayne Purchase
Executive Director ARVC Michigan
888-406-2726 / info@michcampgrounds.com
Deb Nagel
President ARVC Michigan / Lincoln Pines Resort
616-984-2100
Tom Briggs
Grand Rogue Campgrounds
616-361-1053 / grandrogue@yahoo.com
2008 Michigan Lodging and Tourism Legislative Conference
Radisson Hotel, Lansing
Wednesday, May 7th
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$60 per person
An Historic Opportunity
Michigan’s Tourism industry applauds the bipartisan efforts of Governor Granholm and Michigan’s Legislature in providing millions in funding for Travel Michigan’s promotion program.
While this one-time infusion of funding is tremendously appreciated, it reinforces the need to secure permanent funding for expansion of the “Pure Michigan” campaign.
To prime the tourism pump with $60 million, allowing Travel Michigan to expand in entirely new markets - only to see them go dark in those markets because we failed to secure permanent funding would be a travesty.
The best vehicle to secure permanent gains for our state’s economy is passage of SB 690 which will grow tourism as it increases revenues to the school aid fund and revenue sharing programs for cities, villages and townships.
Schedule
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration - Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. Welcoming Comments - George Moroz/TICOM
8:35 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. George Zimmerman - Tourism Promotion ROI
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Representative Kate Ebli - Tourism Promotion
Representative Ken Horn - Tourism Task Force Report
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Larry Alexander - The Importance of Urban Tourism
Steve Yencich/Bret Marr - Issue Briefing
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Summer Minnick, Michigan Muncipal League
“The Importance of Revenue Sharing for Municipalities”
10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Legislative Visits with our Representatives
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch / Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (invited)
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Visits with our Senators
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Legislative Debriefing via www.SurveyMonkey.com
TO REGISTER FOR THIS CONVENTION ($60 PER PERSON), PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.michiganhotels.org/assoc/meetings.html
Here are 10 great reasons to head out to your favorite Michigan campground this spring:
1. Wildflowers. April showers bring May flowers, like the trillium that blanket the forest floor. Harbor Springs hosts an annual Trillium Festival each spring, this year set for May 20-29. To learn more about wildflowers in Michigan, visit the Wildflower Association of Michigan online at www.wildflowersmich.org
Spring also brings the blossoms on the apple and cherry trees, making this one of the most fragrant times of the year to get out and travel the Great Lakes State. The Blossomtime Festival (April 27-May 4) in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor and Blossom Days on Old Mission Peninsula (May 17-18) are two events not to be missed.
Of course when it comes to spring flowers, one can’t forget the annual Tulip Time Festival in Holland (May 3-10), it’s a sure sign of spring!
2. Woodland Edibles. Morel mushrooms, wild ramps, leeks and fiddleheads are all delicacies that can be found by foraging through the woodlands of Michigan. After a successful “hunt” you can savor these mouth-watering finds, paired with a fine Michigan beer or wine. Several cities throughout the state – including Mesick and Boyne City – have been hosting festivals celebrate the “mighty morel” for more than 40 years. For recipes and other ideas on how to savor these scrumptious selections, check out Earthy Delights online at www.earthy.com
3. Fishing. Whether you enjoy fly fishing on the rivers and streams, heading out on a charter on the big lake or casting a line for pan fish in an inland lake, you’re sure to catch something while spring fishing in Michigan. From walleye, trout, steelhead and salmon to perch, bass and bluegills, this is a fisherman’s paradise. Spring is also a great to visit one of the state’s six fish hatcheries or the famed Fish Ladder in Grand Rapids. The National Trout Festival (April 23-27) in Kalkaska, the Freeland Walleye Festival (April 25-27) and the Mancelona Bass Festival (May 28-June 1) are among the many opportunities to enjoy spring fishing celebrations in Michigan.
4. Wine Tasting. While the 50+ wineries throughout the state of Michigan are open year round, spring is the ideal time to visit as this is when the new releases are available for tasting. Be sure to purchase a bottle or two, to pair with those woodland edibles and fresh catches! For a list of the state’s award-winning wineries, visit the Michigan Wine Council’s newly revamped website at www.michiganwines.com
5. Bird Watching. Nature centers, sanctuaries and wildlife viewing areas are thriving with opportunities for spring bird watching. The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory Annual Spring Fling (April 25-27) in Paradise, the Tawas Point Birding Festival (May 16-18) in Tawas and the Kirtland Warbler Festival (May 17) in Roscommon County are among the many spring birding events that you may want to check out this season. For more about birding, visit the Michigan Audubon Society website: www.michiganaudubon.org
6. Paddling. With thousands of miles of rivers and streams, not to mention the inland and Great Lakes, spring is the perfect time to get out in your canoe or kayak and head out on the water for some peace and quite. For more information, check out the website for the Michigan Association of Paddlesport Providers: www.michigancanoe.com
7. Peddling. Michigan is home to some of the most scenic biking trails, ranging in distance and level of difficulty. Whether you’re taking a short family trip along a paved trail or are heading out for an off-road mountain bike adventure, you’ll find plenty of opportunities around the state. For more information, check out the website for the League of Michigan Bicyclists: www.lmb.org
8. Hiking. Local author Jim Dufresne has published several exceptional books including “50 Hikes in Michigan: The Best Walks, Hikes and Backpacks in the Lower Peninsula” and “Best Hikes with Children – Michigan” which offer great insight into the trails and scenic sites throughout the state. These, and other titles, are available at bookstores and libraries throughout Michigan.
9. Golfing. Michigan is home to more than 800 golf courses and during the spring season, the rates are often lower, there are fewer people (and bugs) and the temperatures are pleasant. For a detailed list of courses throughout the state, visit Travel Michigan’s award-winning website at www.Michigan.org
10. Geocaching. The hottest new trend for campers and outdoor enthusiasts can be found all around Michigan. This high-tech treasure hunt takes you off the beaten path by using a portable GPS system to find hidden “caches” in various locations. To learn more about this exciting new outdoor activity, visit www.geocaching.com
No matter which spring activity accompanies your camping trip, be sure to travel with camera in hand to capture the awakening of all around you. To learn more about how to enjoy Michigan’s “Springtime Splendor” and cure your cabin fever, visit www.SpringtimeSplendor.com.
The Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds – Michigan represents 250 member campgrounds with more than 32,000 sites available throughout the state. Whether pitching a tent, parking an RV or reserving a rustic or modern cabin, Michigan campgrounds offer a great way to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with families. Campers in Michigan enjoy the great outdoors while fishing or canoeing on the countless lakes, rivers and streams or hiking, biking and riding on the miles of trails that wind throughout the state. There’s definitely no shortage of activities, no matter where the campground is located.
The new 2008 Michigan Campground Directory, published by ARVC-Michigan, is now available at various locations statewide, including all state Welcome Centers. A PDF version is also available for viewing online at www.michcampgrounds.com. The directory not only lists campgrounds by region, but also includes helpful information on the type of sites available, various amenities such as restroom, laundry and dumping station facilities; recreational offerings such as pools and golf courses; and seasons of operation.
Thank you to all of you who stopped by my booth at the Annual Spring Convention to check your FREE listing on the award-winning Travel Michigan website: Michigan.org. In all, more than 30 property sites were updated. For those of you who were not aware, Michigan.org was the #1 state travel website in the country for 2007.
Those of you who didn’t get a chance to visit with me, or who were unable to attend the conference, I suggest you check your FREE listing on Michigan.org before the summer travel season gets underway.
Just log on to www.michigan.org and enter your campground name in the upper right hand corner to search for your page.
If you don’t find yourself listed, please let me know and I’ll help you out. I’ll need all of your contact information, website link, 1400 character description and a photo.
If your page is there, but you are missing a photo (or wish to post a different one) or you want to change your contact information and/or description just send me the changes and I’ll update it on my end. Remember…this is your opportunity for you to “sell” your property to the millions of travelers who visit this site each year!
If you have any questions, drop me an email and I’ll help in any way that I can.
Dianna Stampfler
Promote Michigan
Dianna@PromoteMichigan.com
Even if you’re not “tech savvy” you can follow these simple steps to set up a “Google Alert” for your property and monitor any media coverage you may get. You can also set up a separate alert for your name (for those of you involved in activities outside of the camping world, such as serving on local boards or commissions). You may also want to set up something for Michigan camping in general, which helps you keep on top of coverage for the industry itself (which is what I do).
For those of you who haven’t done this…here’s a quick “how to” for you…I suggest you print this off instead of having to jump between this message and the Google screen.
1. Go to www.google.com
2. Click on “News”
3. Click on “News Alerts” on the left hand column
4. Type the name of your campground in quotes (“Campground ABC”) in the Search Items box
(you might set up multiple alerts, especially if your name is often printed in different ways).
5. Select “Comprehensive” as the type of alert you would like to receive (meaning that you’ll get news alerts as well as searches from blogs and other sites).
6. Select how often you want to receive your alerts (I ask for them “as-it-happens” so I’m always on top of things)
7. Enter your email address.
8. Wait for Google to send you an email confirmation, then follow the link to validate your request
If you have any questions…just let me know and I’ll walk you through it.
Safe Travels!
Dianna Stampfler
Promote Michigan
Dianna@PromoteMichigan.com
