Tourism show has increased traffic
Presque Isle Tourism Council Director Kammie Dennis reported to the County Development Commission last week that this year?s Sportsman?s Show, at Onaway High School was such a success that attendance was up five percent over last year?s show.
?We had a really good weekend ? we invited outdoor writers this year, and Mike Avery was here and did his radio show live from the school,? Dennis said of the annual event.
?We had all those guys at a Friday night vendors? reception and were able to ?rub elbows? and had a good time trading information and socializing.
?We put them up at Nettie Bay Lodge, hunting camps, and Manitou Shores.?
MSU Extension community and economic development director Mary Ann Heidemann concurred with Dennis? wrap on the show.
?I was invited by Kammie to the vendor reception and was very impressed,? Heidemann said.
?THE FOOD was great and all the vendors were there in a big crowded room and people had the opportunity to network. The superintendent of Onaway Schools, Bob Szymoniak, sought me out that night and said how much he enjoyed talking to Val (Jaroch) about technical education in Onaway Schools.
?He made a point to say they were more than willing to work with us on any kind of training or education issue ? work together with us,? Heidemann said.
Following the good sportsman show report, Dennis presented the 2004 edition of the Presque Isle County Tourism Guide booklet.
The guide, which features a back cover with an aerial photo of the Rogers City Harbor, the Rogers City logo, and the web site address, as well as, information and phone numbers of the chamber of commerce, the tourism council and city hall, also ?sells? every major town and location in Presque Isle County.
THIS YEAR?S booklet features a special center section tear-out for business and residential relocation guide.
The guide features highlights about the county?s population, housing, industry and employment, medical and health services, as well as quality of life and tax free development sites and education and schools.
All areas of the county are represented and the booklet is offered far and wide across the state. It is widely available at all tourist centers in Michigan.
Dennis said the booklets are especially grabbed up in Clare and Coldwater tourism centers with extras always being requested.
IN OTHER business:
?The ?Cool Cities? Conference in Lansing was attended by more than 1,400 people from across Michigan. A report will be forthcoming from Jeff Hopp and Anne Belanger following work on the information from the Cool Cities Committee.
?Mark Schuler and Kammie Dennis were appointed to the Heritage Route and CDC Board. Jim Braidwood?s appointment expired
?The 2004 meeting days were approved as the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the county courthouse.
?The Ocqueoc Outdoor Center will be transferred in fee-simple terms on the 55-acre facility.
Jim Zakshesky, county building inspector and Frank Krist, of the District 4 Health Department are in the process of preparing their findings upon inspecting the facilities.
In January, the tourism council and MSU Extenson director Dave Glenn will get together to help determine future uses for the center.
The next meeting of the CDC will be January 15 at 6 p.m.