http://www.statenews.com Michigan is heading into the national spotlight this summer as millions of dollars are poured into advertising campaigns and promotions to spark tourism in the state. It may not be Florida or California, but Michigan is taking strides to compete with leading tourism industries across the country and, according to officials in the state, it’s standing on its own. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:20:53 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40106 I’m finding this hard to believe. I suspect that maybe this ad campaign may draw in some people. I fear that the normal ever present road construction will quickly sour the trip. That and a lack of things to do in the state, I mean you can only go out to eat so many times in one day. We may trick them in once, but I seriously doubt they will refer a friend to visit Michigan, unless there friend has a light house fetish. Anyway, well written article. Good job Thu, 28 May 2009 13:53:21 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40106 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40113 Sounds like you need to get out and explore a little more, Kham. There’s lots of things to do in Michigan besides eat. How about camping in a state park? Hiking on the North Country Trail? There are hundreds of miles of trail to hike or mountain bike on. Boating or fishing for salmon, perch, and trout in the Great Lakes. Canoeing and kayaking on the rivers. People can bring their ATVs or dirt bikes to state lands in the summer, or ride their snowmobiles through the UP in the winter. Why not take a winery tour up by Traverse City or down on the Southwest side of the state. Maybe learn a little history up at Mackinaw Island. Don’t forget about Rothbury or the Women’s Music Festival in the summers, or dogsled race in Marquette in February. And that’s just off the top of my head. Thu, 28 May 2009 15:33:39 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40113 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40115 Michigan Blows Thu, 28 May 2009 15:36:05 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40115 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40117 I am happy to hear that Michigan is finally advertising all that it has to offer! It is a beautiful state…Mel S, you are right on in saying that someone who disagrees hasn’t explored much. I have traveled quite a bit and the beaches at the Pictured Rocks are the most beautiful I have seen. Maybe we needed economic woes to finally capitalize on our strengths. Thu, 28 May 2009 16:59:18 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40117 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40121 Grand Haven is one of the ‘best’ beaches and touring sites in the USA! Thu, 28 May 2009 18:10:51 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40121 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40122 I’ve lived here almost my whole life. Everything you stated Ive either done or have no interest in. Save boating, I work for a living so I cannot afford boating. Do not assume I don’t know this state. I bet I spend more time on this states roads than anyone posting. I have a collage education, in guess what, Tourism. There was no need to attack me, saying that I must not have looked out my back window. Because I have, and I have, unlike you, looked out Other states, and even countries windows. You know what Michigan has? Or rather what the world thinks we have? Snow, more snow, bad roads,the slowest construction workers on the planet, the murder/Motown city, light houses and woods. Lots of woods. We will always have some tourism, mainly due to the fact that people need somewhere to launch there boats, or there trying to get to Canada. I feel that the money spent on this ad campaign would have been better spent almost ANYWHERE in this state. If you want a tourist recommendation from me, I would say go to Canada. The further away you get from the US the cheaper things are, and the people are always nice to you, no matter what your race, religion, how pretty you are, or how well off you are. Thu, 28 May 2009 19:41:25 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40122 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40123 Hey Kham — lighten up buddy. Quite the negative-nancy I tell ya. Lack of things to do? Seriously? You must have one of those really nice couches made over in Grand Rapids or Zeeland — the furniture headquarters of America. Or are you a big television fanatic? Maybe the internet has got you down? Maybe you’ve been drinking salt water? We have freshwater in Michigan. You ever grill some fresh white fish, drink some Short’s beer, and watch a sunset on Lake Michigan or Superior? Or maybe you didn’t get the memo about enjoying life? We also have some of the best soil for growing fruits and vegetables. Do you eat anything besides McD’s when you’re roadtrippin’? By the way, you spelled “college” wrong. Go be a tourism major in another state. We don’t want you spoiling our fun. Thu, 28 May 2009 20:05:07 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40123 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40124 And blah — there are a lot of men and sail boats in Michigan that could use your negative blowing power. Maybe you ought to get involved in that market. Or you could find yourself a new home in Turkmenistan so that we don’t have to read about your lack of intelligence. Thu, 28 May 2009 20:14:09 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40124 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40132 My good god man. How old are you? My Point is that spending money on a ad campaign for tourism, that cost 30 million, is way to much. I doubt, we, as a state, will get that cash back from tourist. I am saying that money is better spent else were. You people, talking about all this great outdoor stuff, and I have to admit it is fun to do from time to time, you are still on the computer, right now. If the great Michigan outdoors is so great, why the hell do we build houses. You don’t have to drive very far to find a fresh water lake in NORTH AMERICA. p.s. Jack, if you want to meet up somewhere, just contact me man. No need to throw a fit. Fri, 29 May 2009 10:31:02 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40132 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40133 Jack, it was 8pm when you posted your hate for all to read, why weren’t you out enjoying life? ( insert other meaningless pseudo questions here ) Fri, 29 May 2009 10:40:24 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40133 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40135 Michigan will always be my home though I know I may never be able to go back there. Fat dumb white men sealed that deal. Born, raised and edjewmicated dere too. Even lost my virginity there. Wow! For 4 season recreation and topography it can go toe to toe with any other great state of our nation. California; fires, earth quakes, mud slides, crime, mega boob jobs. Outstanding vistas and golf courses though you got to give it that. Florida; hurricanes, floods, fires, no front toothed individuals, crime, not as much mass boob jobs. Lots of seafood and golf courses though you got to give it that! Common with coastal states. Pass the horse radish. Thanks! Don’t get me started on Utah. Fri, 29 May 2009 11:18:13 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40135 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40142 It’s almost 2pm and I’m still enjoying life. Isn’t reading the paper online a great way to save trees? I’ve been out to eat a lot of times and I still enjoy going out to eat. It’s funny about those freshwater lakes in North America. I mean all that fresh water in Arizona and Utah and California, you’d think they’d have an abundance? Why on earth would anyone want to come enjoy two of the largest fresh water lakes in the world? Wouldn’t that be silly. Quite the contrary my good man or woman — (I don’t want to discriminate here). And I don’t even need a boat to enjoy it. All I need is a 5 dollar bathing suit from Old Navy. “Special K” — I have to agree with you that 30 million is a lot for an ad campaign. But when you put all of the pieces together and think about the fact that tourism is nearly 50% of the state’s economy, it might bode well. You, in the “tourism” field, ought to know. If you want to harp on the folks that made such a decision why don’t you bring some facts to the table? Eh? Don’t they teach you about facts at tourism school? ‘Finding it hard to believe’ doesn’t quite cut it. Show a little pride for the homeland, or bring us some new information, eh Special K? Fri, 29 May 2009 14:16:34 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40142 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40144 I am NOT harping on anyone, You little egotistical tapeworm, are harping on me, insulting me, for my different perspective. As for your 3 desert states mentioned, what percent of the land mass is that? And how many fresh water lake would you pass getting to Michigan. Best question yet would be why am I replying too that senseless statement. Better yet, lets meet up somewhere. You can bully me and insult me in person at a much faster rate, while stating NOTHING the whole time. What do ya say you educate me Jack, wanna meet up at a bar later tonite? Maybe we can watch the sunset together over a shorts beer. Sounds romantic. Fri, 29 May 2009 15:31:56 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40144 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40147 Did I read this right?, “The $30 million budget already has helped boost tourism in the state and will continue to draw in visitors from all over the country, said Dave Lorenz, manager of public and industry relations for Travel Michigan. A $10 million cable TV advertising campaign will also help promote Michigan tourism in different states. Millions of dollars in funding for ad campaigns might seem excessive in hard economic times, but the tourism industry cannot afford to lose the money, Schmidt said.” 30 MILLION dollars in Michigan went to ADVERTISING and TOURISM??? Is the state CRAZY? Our unemployment rate is pushing 12% and deemed to be higher even next year. We need JOBS, did I spell that right? J-O-B-S People are losing their homes, taking huge paycuts and the state is spending $30 MILLION dollars on this? WAKE UP! “ Fri, 29 May 2009 16:18:57 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40147 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40148 I HOPE that you now have a better day. Someone stopped by to say HI. Gee I do have to say that Jack does sound pretty cool though. Hey you like to ruffle feathers, so you should enjoy all the attention that you are getting. But trust me you could learn a little something here from Jack. But you know I already think your pretty cool, but boy do you like to play the bad boy attitude. So when people tell you to lighten up, don’t be suprised. Your a bad boy with a great heart inside, you can’t fool everyone, at least you can’t fool me, so smile! PS. I love a good cold beer myself. Fri, 29 May 2009 16:28:31 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40148 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40156 Sorry, I was enjoying my rage abit to much there. Professional help is being sought. Fri, 29 May 2009 17:19:02 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40156 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40161 Stop hatin’ on Kham everyone, he has a “collage” degree in “tourism!” (in what?) But yeah. Pumping state money into tourism creates no jobs. Hotels owners, restaurant managers, boat rental agencies, bartenders, servers… they’re all goners. Woe is the state of Michigan AGAIN. Great article. I’ve been all over the world, Michigan is one of the best places out there. Sat, 30 May 2009 14:01:07 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40161 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40162 So am I reading this right — bar fight? Mono y mono? I like the sounds of this. Maybe we could get on Celebrity Death Match. It looks like you’ve got a fan, aka “Wow Kham”. Is that your mother concerned about your mental health, wondering what kind of heathen she bred? Or just another MSU hotty (one of the best looking schools in America)? You ought to get her email K-dawg. Nobody is gettin’ down on you K-dawg. We just love our state and when somebody says there is nothing to do we take that pretty personal. And now that you’ve done everything there is to do in the greatest state in the union, we should probably call it quits. These tapeworms are really crampin’ my style. Bronx Bar in Detroit? We could throw down with some Iggy Pop on the stereo — show some love for a Michigan rocker. Sat, 30 May 2009 19:53:55 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40162 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40163 Students that come here out of state and enjoy the Michigan life for 4 years or more, after graduating they ALL stay in Michigan because it soo great!!!!! YAY MICHIGAN!!! That PROVES IT! Link Text Flush 30 million more dollars down the tubes and build NOTHING. WE LOVE IT!!! p.s. Jack, I love you deeply, and I’m sorry that your party lost the last presidential election. Better luck next go round. Sat, 30 May 2009 20:31:31 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40163 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40187 You ought to get her email K-dawg. Oh ya that’s right you already do. Wow it would of been smart to to e-mail her, coz she could of met up with you. I bet the bar is small enough for her to find her way around. And there is nothing like a cold shorts beer on this side of town. Iggy Pop, a throw back to the 70’s, I bet that wasn’t her cup of tea. Probably more Aerosmith, Cars or Bad Company. Oh ya Fleetwood Mac sounds like a good one too. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:43:36 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40187 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40195 But i know you already know that. Say hi to your friend Jack the two of you are inseperable. Just like another friend of mine. Have a good time! You are so creative I can’t seem to stop thinking about you. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:20:53 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/40195