Michigan’s first conference on Culinary Tourism was recently held at the Kellogg Center at MSU in East Lansing, MI. The conference was a hot ticket, and nearly 200 tourism industry stakeholders are getting ready to learn about Michigan’s new initiative to increase tourism.
The Lansing State Journal takes a look back at the conference:
Wineries, micro breweries and orchards spattered across Michigan are fueling a new effort to drive tourists to the state.
The idea is to bring together the food and tourism industries together to help cater to 27 million Americans who focus on culinary or wine-related activities while vacationing, and increase the state’s $71 billion food and agriculture industry, officials said.
“Michigan is blessed with a very diverse agriculture,” said Keith Creagh, newly appointed director of the state’s Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. “The first steps in growing that part of the tourism industry are conferences like these where people can network.”
The hope is to market Michigan’s culinary destinations similarly to California, New York and Louisiana – states popular with food lovers.
Read the entire article on the Lansing State Journal’s website.
Absolute Michigan was there on the scene and live blogged the event. You can check out their inside look at the event in their post Live at the Michigan Culinary Tourism Conference.
Photo credit: Willow Vineyards by photoshoparama