Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Host Committee Welcomes Auto Show Guests
4 January 2001
Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Host Committee Welcomes Auto Show Guests
Several Strategies Planned to Leave a Positive Impression of Michigan
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 4 The Michigan Economic Development
Corporation's (MEDC) Host Committee is rolling out the red carpet to key
business and media members visiting the 2001 North American International Auto
Show in Detroit.
From billboards to Michigan-themed shuttle busses, the committee has
several strategies designed to leave auto show visitors with a lasting and
positive impression of Michigan. The majority of the committee plans will
take place during the auto show preview week from January 8-12.
"The Host Committee is going above and beyond the call of duty to make
certain visitors to the North American International Auto Show have a pleasant
stay," said Doug Rothwell, president & CEO of the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation. "These innovative and exciting tactics are just the
beginning of the committee's full court press to impress Michigan's
influential visitors."
The mission of the MEDC Host Committee is to position the state as the
premier site for both tourism and economic development by impacting key out-
of-state decision makers visiting Michigan. The committee targets
conferences and events that draw the highest level of decision makers and
media. A few of the Host Committee's plans for the 2001 North American
International Auto Show include:
* Billboards: Four billboards will be on I-94 between the airport and
the Lodge Freeway. Two of the billboards on the eastbound side of I-94
welcome visitors to Michigan and the other two billboards on the westbound
side of I-94 will thank visitors for attending the auto show.
* Greeters: Several greeters wearing green and red coats will welcome
auto show visitors at Detroit Metropolitan airport and help with luggage,
transportation and maps.
* Reporter Notebooks: Journalists will be provided with Michigan-themed
reporter-style notebooks. A coupon for a free "scoop" of Baskin-Robbins ice
cream will also be provided to reporters with the notebooks.
* Michelin Media Center: This center will include staff members to
provide information about Michigan and answer any Michigan-related questions.
In addition, a photographer will be available for reporters to "check out" at
the media center. The photographer will shoot digital photos that can be
provided to out of state reporters on CD ROM or sent via e-mail.
* Shuttle Busses: Two shuttle busses that will transport out of state
media from their hotels to Cobo Hall during preview week will be wrapped with
a State of Michigan welcome message.
* Governor's Letter: About 2,500 personalized letters from Governor John
Engler will be mailed to key business decision makers and out of state media
attending the auto show welcoming them to Michigan and encouraging them to
visit http://www.michigan.org . When the show is over, the same visitors will be
sent another Governor's letter thanking them for visiting and encouraging them
to return to Michigan.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation board committed $400,000
to finance the Host Committee initiatives for 2001, including the North
American International Auto Show. The Host Committee is chaired by Heinz C.
Prechter, chairman and founder of ASC Incorporated. Other members include:
* Larry Alexander, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
* Susy Avery, Travel Michigan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
* Rod Alberts, Detroit Auto Dealers Association
* Richard Blouse, Detroit Regional Chamber
* Bill Chapin, Automobile National Heritage Area
* Beth Chappell, Compuware Corporation
* Keith Charters, Michigan Natural Resources Commission
* Paul Hillegonds, Detroit Renaissance
* David Johnson, Bay Harbor Company
* Birgit M. Klohs, The Right Place Program
* Bob Lyons, Michigan Trenching Service, Inc.
* Peter McPherson, Michigan State University
* Jon Nunn, Grand Action
* Lou Pavledes, Cobo Center
* Lester Robinson, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
* Peter Secchia, Universal Forest Products, Inc.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a partnership between the
state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing
strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high
quality of life. For more information, on the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation's initiatives and programs, visit the website at http://www.michigan.org