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Turning Tourism Priorities into Action

Join tourism professionals from across Michigan for the 2026 TICOM Tourism Conference, a one-day event designed to bring together leaders, partners, policymakers, and industry professionals for timely conversations, practical ideas, and meaningful connections. The conference will feature legislative and Travel Michigan updates, marketing research, rapid-fire idea sharing, breakout sessions, sponsor networking, and discussions focused on the issues and opportunities shaping Michigan’s tourism industry.

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Thursday, November 19, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Graduate Hotel, East Lansing

[REGISTER NOW]
Registration details coming soon.

About the Conference

The TICOM Tourism Conference is designed to foster collaboration, share insights, and highlight emerging trends across Michigan’s tourism industry. This one-day event will bring together destination marketing organizations, state associations, hospitality partners, attractions, transportation providers, arts and culture organizations, outdoor recreation partners, suppliers, and other tourism stakeholders.

Attendees will hear from industry leaders, participate in timely discussions, connect with peers, and leave with ideas and resources they can bring back to their organizations and communities.

Who Should Attend

This conference is designed for professionals and partners across Michigan’s broad tourism industry, including:

• Destination marketing organizations and CVBs

• Statewide and regional tourism associations

• Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and hospitality partners

• Attractions, museums, arts, and cultural organizations

• Outdoor recreation and agritourism partners

• Transportation providers

• Local government and economic development partners

• Marketing, media, and tourism suppliers

• Students and emerging tourism professionals

Why Attend

The TICOM Tourism Conference will offer timely updates, useful takeaways, and opportunities to connect with tourism partners from across the state. Attendees can expect to:

• Learn about key legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan tourism

• Hear updates from Travel Michigan

• Explore tourism marketing research, trends, and emerging technologies

• Gain ideas from peers through a rapid-fire “Great Ideas” session

• Learn about grant and funding opportunities for tourism-related projects

• Connect with sponsors, speakers, and industry colleagues

• Take part in conversations about the future of Michigan tourism

Tentative Conference Schedule

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Registration and Light Breakfast/Coffee

8:45 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. Welcome, Dan McCole, TICOM President and Julie Pingston, Venue Host

8:50 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Legislative Panel Moderated by Matt Sowash, Michigan Legislative Consultants

9:45 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Travel Michigan Updates, Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan

10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break and Sponsor Visits

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. General Session: Marketing Research, Lu Zhang

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Great Ideas Session: Rapid Fire Ideas from Conference Attendees

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Luncheon and Sponsor Visits

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Breakout Session 1

Option A: Accessibility, Jeff Garrett, ADA/504 Accessibility Coordinator, Michigan Arts and Culture Council

Option B: To Be Announced

1:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. Afternoon Break

2:05 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. Breakout Session 2

Additional breakout details coming soon.

3:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. General Session: Missy Stults, PhD., City of Ann Arbor, Sustainability Speaker

3:40 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. General Session: Nonprofit Grants Panel 

4:20 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closing Comments, Dan McCole, TICOM President

4:30 p.m. - Final Visit to Coffee and Beverage Bar / Departure
 

Schedule subject to change.

Featured Sessions

Legislative Panel

This session will provide timely insight into legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan’s tourism industry. Panelists will discuss key topics affecting tourism partners across the state and help attendees better understand the broader policy landscape.

Travel Michigan Updates

Hear updates from Travel Michigan and learn more about statewide priorities, current initiatives, and opportunities for Michigan’s tourism industry.

Marketing Research

This general session will explore marketing research, tourism trends, and insights that can help inform destination, hospitality, and tourism-related organizations.

Great Ideas Session

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear quick, practical ideas from tourism colleagues across Michigan. This rapid-fire session is designed to spotlight what is working, spark new thinking, and encourage peer-to-peer learning.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions will provide deeper discussion on timely topics, including accessibility, tourism trends, partnerships, and other issues relevant to Michigan’s tourism industry.

Grants Panel

This session will explore grant and funding opportunities that may support tourism-related projects, partnerships, placemaking, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, community development, and other industry priorities.

Speakers

Speaker profiles and headshots coming soon.

Confirmed and invited speakers will be added as details are finalized.

Registration

Registration information coming soon.

Please check back for registration details, pricing, deadlines, and additional conference information.

For questions, please contact:

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Larisa Draves, CMP
TICOM Executive Director
Office: 231-823-0015
www.mitourismcoalition.org

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to the sponsors helping make the TICOM Tourism Conference possible.

TBD
 

Additional sponsors will be announced soon.

Interested in sponsoring the TICOM Tourism Conference? Please contact Larisa Draves for sponsorship opportunities.

Thank You to the TICOM Tourism Conference Planning Committee

Thank you to the members of the TICOM Tourism Conference Planning Committee for helping plan and support this event.

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Kim Corcoran, Meetings Michigan
Larisa Draves, TICOM
Jill Halpin, My Michigan Beach
Holly Laurencelle, Advance Travel & Tourism
Mike Price, Michigan Sports Commission
Chad Wiebesick, Destination Ann Arbor

Event Policies

Consent to Use Photographic Images

By registering for the TICOM Tourism Conference, attendees acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during the event and may be used by TICOM for promotional, educational, or archival purposes.