MSAE and Safe Meetings Partners Receive 2022 Governor’s Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration

On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, MSAE had the distinct honor of accepting the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan's 2022 Governor's Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration in conjunction with Destination Michigan, the Michigan Association of CVBs, MPI Michigan Chapter, Michigan Health and Hospital Association and Association Guidance. The award recognizes the remarkable collaboration of the Safe Meetings in Michigan Task Force, which was initiated and coordinated by MSAE. 

The collaboration, which consisted of 60 organizations and 70+ volunteers, created and published the Safe Meetings in Michigan Guidebooks, providing extensive guidance on planning and hosting safe meetings and events amidst the pandemic. More than 7,000 copies of the guidebooks and related resources have been downloaded by meeting professionals and association executives eager to resume in-person meetings safely. 

Created by the Michigan Travel Commission in conjunction with the Governor's Office, the Governor's Awards for Innovative Tourism elevate innovative, effective, creative collaborations in the tourism industry in Michigan.

MSAE celebrates the contributions of and extends congratulations to the following collaborators*: 

• Bill Aprill, DoubleTree Suites By Hilton Detroit Downtown - Fort Shelby
• Tammy Bagby, State of Michigan - Bureau of Community and Health Systems
• Kate Barber, Suburban Collection Showplace
• Kathy Bart, DeVos Place
• Allison Beers, Events North
• Kellie Blackwell, Disability Network - Capital Area
• Rebecca Blake, Michigan State Medical Society
• Kisti Boatright, Health Care Association of Michigan
• Angel Brewer, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals
• Mimi Brown, Mimi Brown Speaks
• Kristina Buckenberger, Kellogg Company
• Dave Buckenberger, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau 
• Andrew Buselmeier, The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport
• Andrea Cadotto, Visit Detroit
• Jody Cady, Volunteer
• Lisa Calhoun, Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Grand Rapids Airport
• Shelia Chalmers, AHC Hospitality
• Kim Corcoran, Destination Michigan/Meetings Michigan 
• Greg DeSandy, TCF Center
• Jennifer Dickie, AMR - Association Management Resources
• Larisa Draves, Michigan Association of CVBs 
• Michelle Duffy, MotorCity Casino Hotel
• Jennifer Ealovega, MotorCity Casino Hotel
• Becky Francoeur, Michigan Association of Realtors
• Brent Freed, Art Craft Display
• Laura Fuller, LeadingAge Michigan
• Carol Galle, Special D Events
• Mary Gettel, Health Care Association of Michigan
• Olivia Hagerman, AMR - Association Management Resources
• Lesley Harding, Creative Day Technologies
• Kim Harwood, Results at Hand
• Darren Ing, Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan
• Jean Jernigan, Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Karlene Ketola, Michigan Association of Family Physicians
• Greg Kigar, Lansing Lugnuts
• Shana Killips, The Henry Center
• Debbie Kopkau, Michigan School Business Officials
• Natalia Kovicak, The Right Place, Inc.
• Mary Manier, Experience Grand Rapids 
• Denise McGinn, Association Guidance 
• Terese McInnis, Traverse City Tourism 
• Karalee McKinstry, MPI Michigan Chapter
• Erin McLaughlin, AMR - Association Management Resources
• Kathy Morin, Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
• Tim Nelson, Experience Grand Rapids 
• Andie Newcomer, Experience Grand Rapids
• Laurie Nickson, Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children & Michigan Department of Education
• Kim Oderkirk, Association Services
• Donna Oser, Michigan Society of Association Executives
• Julie Pingston, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau 
• Mary Platt, Chase Creative
• Kate Pojeta, Event Garde
• Heather Porter, Suburban Collection Showplace
• Kim Rangel, Destination Consultants
• Susan Richardson, Visit Detroit
• Andrea Scheckel, AHC Hospitality
• Audrey Schwartz, Capitol Vantage Point / Dome Magazine
• Jennifer Seigneurie, Crystal Mountain
• Suzanne Sipe, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
• Leslie Smith, Engineering Society of Detroit
• Jennifer Sparrow, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
• Amari Steward, Flint/Genesee Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Erin Steward, Michigan Health and Hospital Association 
• Andrea Sundermann, Michigan Dental Association
• Jen Talik, AMR - Association Management Resources
• Kristen Taylor, Ngage Management
• Bob Thomas, Volunteer
• Kelly Van Dyke, AHC Hospitality
• T.J. Waldofsky, Discover Kalamazoo
• Chris Ward, Community Mental Health Association - Michigan
• Ashley Wojciak, Crystal Mountain
• Aaron Wolowiec, Event Garde
• Sonja Wood, Volunteer

*Note: Individual and organizational affiliations listed were identified at the time of the collaboration and may no longer be accurate.