Courtesy of the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
For the second year in a row, Traverse City Tourism President and CEO Trevor Tkach will serve as president of the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.
Other officers for 2023 are Susan Estler, executive director of Travel Marquette, vice president; Bob Lukens, Muskegon County community development director, secretary; and Julie Pingston, president and CEO of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, treasurer.
MACVB advocates for policy and funding that supports a strong travel economy in Michigan, says Tkach, noting that he relishes the leadership role because it keeps him connected with destination management organizations (DMOs) throughout Michigan. That helps him develop “a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities impacting a wide range of Michigan communities,” he says, adding, “We have a lot of common ground, even though our communities are all so different.”
Tkach says the MACVB board devoted significant time to developing a new strategic plan in 2022 and 2023 brings opportunity to follow up with action.
“It will be great to get to help steward that plan forward this year as we implement the priorities,” Tkach says. “The MACVB board and team have a good working relationship to build upon, and I’m honored to be nominated again and to serve the membership once again.”
Larisa Draves, MACVB executive director, explains that the organization will continue to work on critical issues for members in 2023 including things like funding for large special events, Pure Michigan, and DMOs, with a focus on protecting existing funding and parity between the revenue provided from hotels and short-term rentals.
Tkach says 2023 also brings an opportunity to build awareness of the importance of tourism among the approximately 50 new legislators serving in Lansing.
“One of our top priorities is helping inform and educate them about benefits of travel as an economic driver,” Tkach says. “It’s a net export that brings in outside dollars to our communities; it helps to drive positive perceptions of our state and to attract new talent and investments; it supports entrepreneurs; and visitors help support a vast range of businesses and community assets.”
