The mission of TICOM is to strengthen Michigan's travel and tourism industry as a vital component of economic development and quality of life through governmental advocacy, public relations, collaboration, and other promotional and educational efforts.
Most industry associations are designed to allow their members to network with like organizations that have common concerns, interests and goals. The Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan brings together a very diverse group of members whose commonality is their interest and relationship to Michigan’s 3rd largest industry, tourism.
Membership categories include; destination marketing organizations, attractions, regional and state wide tourism organizations, state associations that represent boating, camping, recreational vehicles, lodging, wineries, snow-sports, festivals and events, and more. These member organizations represent a wide range of tourism-related jobs and the generation of revenues which dramatically impact our state and deserve the attention of our legislators. Our varied membership lends strength and credibility to lobbying efforts for tourism support in Lansing when we speak with one voice.
Additional membership benefits include:
- Networking opportunities with the tourism industry professionals and leaders that represent a diverse group of allied organizations.
- Attend quarterly meetings where the agendas are designed to report industry events and activities, on a local, regional, and state-wide basis.
- Share your organization’s issues, concerns and challenges and receive input, feedback, and supportive advice from allied organizations.
- Learn of legislative issues that impact the tourism industry and have opportunity to participate in a legislative conference in Lansing.
- Access professional research and tools of the trade utilized by tourism industry partners.
- Hear regular reports from Travel Michigan the state travel bureau and increase your awareness of their marketing efforts and learn how you can take part in.
- Find out about the latest tourism research efforts and during regular reports MSU representative.
TICOM : A History of Industry Advocacy
- Advocated for the continued funding of the Michigan State University Tourism Resource Center when this program was in danger of elimination. TICOM, as an industry organization, led a grassroots effort through letters, phone calls and meetings with MSU administration.
- TICOM was invited to have a seat on the Michigan Interagency Tourism Council and has actively participated with this otherwise exclusively governmental group since 2008. The Council, now led by George Zimmermann, Vice President, Travel Michigan, consists of top level representatives from the Michigan Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Transportation, Energy Labor & Economic Growth, MEDC/Travel Michigan and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The committee meets quarterly to discuss tourism-related projects of mutual interest and to encourage interagency awareness and collaboration.
- TICOM led the call for nominations for the Governor's Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration. Through the various TICOM members and their individual networks, the first year of these prestigious awards were presented at the Governor's Annual Tourism Conference in March, 2009.
- TICOM, working in cooperation with the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association, garnered support in Lansing for another successful Legislative Day. The grassroots effort includes a brief seminar, followed by a luncheon and visits to state legislators in the fall of each year.
- TICOM has worked in cooperation with other organizations (most notably the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association and the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus) to provide strong support for the continued funding of the Pure Michigan campaign at the 2009 funding level of $30 million.
