Circle Michigan Announces New Board President
Just as it has been a leader and innovator in the auto industry, Michigan has also been at the forefront of the tourism industry. In 1981, “Circle Michigan” was founded as the first destination marketing organization in the U.S., providing travel and itinerary services to tour and group travel planners throughout the U.S. Circle Michigan executive director, Janet Kasic, recently announced the election of Melisa Brown as the 2014 president of the board of directors. Brown brings more than twenty years of group tour sales and marketing experience to the board. She currently serves in the role of Tour & Travel Sales Manager at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort; she joined the hotel in 2003. In addition to her vast hotel experience, Brown has more than eight year’s experience in tourism marketing for a regional convention and visitors bureau.
“I am both honored and excited about this opportunity to work closely with my fellow board members, Circle Michigan members, and statewide partners to increase Michigan’s already healthy group tourism business,” said Brown. “With our partner members throughout the state and the awareness of Michigan that has been heightened through the “Pure Michigan” branding, we are positioned to offer even more varied and creative tour ideas to share with planners looking to develop successful and memorable visits to our state.” “According to Travel Michigan, visitors spent $18-billion dollars while traveling in Michigan in 2012. That spending accounted for 200,000 Michigan jobs.”
Board Members of 2014 also include:
President, Melisa Brown - Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Vice President, Misty Martinchek - Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
Secretary/Treasurer, Anne Phillips - MotorCity Casino Hotel
Sarah Barnard - Traverse City Tourism
Vickie Evans - The Henry Ford
Lisa Kukulski, CMP, CTA - Discover Kalamazoo
Bruce Lynn - Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point Lighthouse)
Nicole Nation - Mission Point Resort
Herb Zeilinger, CTIS - Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB
To learn more about Circle Michigan, visit circlemichigan.com or contact Executive Director, Janet Kasic at 800.513.6424.
