Tourism is the world’s largest industry and Traverse City is getting its fair share of the (cherry) pie.
     That’s the word from Tori Piersante of Traverse City Tourism (formerly the Convention & Visitors Bureau).
     “We spend $3 million a year to promote tourism and surveys show that we get back $6.87 for every dollar spent,” Tori told Rotarians at the weekly meeting.
     She and her fellow employee Mary Winowiecki are among a group headed by Rotarian Brad VanDommelen who generate their own publicity through the production of TV and radio spots, print ads, brochures and even ads on buses in big cities like Chicago.
     Those ads are supplemented by the highly successful Pure Michigan campaign, which features the voice of actor Tim Allen.
     “Our goals are to educate people about our region and show them the world-class opportunities we have here,” said Tori. “I’ve had many people visit here the first time from out of state and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know Michigan was like this.’ We just want to get them here that first time.”
     She also talked about how their Community Champions program is helping with that. Several Traverse City area business leaders have steered national and state conventions and meetings to Traverse City.
     “We’ve always gotten people in Michigan to come to Traverse City,” said Tori. “Now we’re seeing a trend where more and more people from outside Michigan are coming here.”
     That means, she said, more local jobs and more money pumped into the local economy.
 
Tori Piersante is the Vice President of Sales for Traverse City Tourism, celebrating just over three years with the organization.  Tori handles the national sales efforts with concentration in the Washington DC and Chicago areas.  She has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality/ tourism industry, having worked for the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Lansing Convention Center and hotels and resorts in Florida, Massachusetts, Vermont and Michigan. 
 
Tori’s passion for the hospitality industry is matched by her colleagues at Traverse City Tourism and she’s very proud to represent our community to potential convention and leisure clients.   Steve Wade introduced program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsha Minervini​ presented a certificate to Nicole, our exchange student from the Philippines who’s heading home soon… Bob Portenga is looking for volunteers for Kids Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 20^th… President-elect Dale Chilcote is heading to Brazil to represent our club… Al Zelinski announced that the Rotary Lawn Chair Drill Team will hold its first practice leading up to the Cherry Festival parade on Thursday, June 18… Lee Torrey took home the 50-50 drawing worth $34… President George Powell, his days dwindling as our fearless leader, opened the meeting… Sid Lammers introduced visiting Rotarians and guests… Greg Luyt led us in song… Gary Hogue offered the invocation.