The Power in Numbers

from Michigan Meetings + Events Summer 2023

A True Team Player

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ARNOLD of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church for the article on Traverse City in this issue, I learned that her organization always does a charitable activity in association with its annual gathering.

This year they’re setting aside several hours on opening day, before the official schedule gets underway, to create meal packs that contain rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamins—enough to feed six people at a cost of $2 per pack. Most recently, meals were shipped to Ukraine. Now, some are likely to go to Syria and Turkey, which were devastated by an earthquake last year.

Conference participants donate the money themselves to cover costs of supplies as part of their registration. When registration opened on March 1, members had already pledged enough to produce 18,000 meals at this year’s conference—one donor gave $1,000. During the gathering, the organization also stages a 5K run to raise money for children’s hunger relief, with proceeds going entirely to agencies throughout Michigan that support programs that feed kids.

I was impressed by both the magnitude of these efforts and the group’s dedication— and undertaking such charitable efforts as part of a business gathering seems to be growing. Trevor Tkach, president and CEO of Traverse City Tourism, told me that it’s increasingly common for groups to build an activity that benefits those in need into their meeting agendas—not just in Traverse City, but industrywide. Sometimes, these efforts help local communities where the events are held. I’ve heard about groups packing backpacks for local schoolchildren or volunteering for a nearby nonprofit project. Other times, like with the Methodists’ meal bags going overseas, results of initiatives are directed elsewhere. Over the past 10-plus years, Michigan’s hospitality industry has provided volunteer labor and supplies to the tune of nearly $1 million to improve Michigan’s historic, cultural, and natural attractions.

Any way you look at it, it’s hard to imagine a more positive trend than a group coming together for a common purpose—putting its collective power to use for the greater good.

PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES LAURIE BURGER

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EDITORIAL INTERN ELIANA KINZER

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

David Buckenberger, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau | Kim Corcoran, Destination Michigan/Meetings Michigan | Larisa

Draves, Michigan Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus | Susan Estler, Travel Marquette | Linda Hoath, Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau | Mary Chris Hotchkiss, Petoskey Area Visitors

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Correction: On page 56 of the Spring 2023 issue of Michigan Meetings + Events, the caption for the photograph in the article “Up to the Challenge” mistakenly says Kristy Poore is pictured in the Graduate East Lansing. She is standing in the Graduate Ann Arbor. Michigan Meetings + Events regrets this error. graduatehotels.com/ann-arbor

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