Gaylord is “All Outdoors” and the mission of the Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau is to encourage and promote tourism in our area in order to generate new dollars for Otsego County, thereby enhancing the economic fabric of our community. In short, the Tourism Bureau shows past and potential visitors why our community is the ultimate up-north getaway!
Governed by a Board of Directors and funded by lodging members through Public Act 59, this non-profit organization is a resource for residents as well as visitors. The Tourism Bureau embraces the philosophy that if a community is a great place to live, then it’s also a great place to visit. Recognizing those who contribute substantially to the growth, improvement, or engagement of our local tourism product is also a priority for the Tourism Bureau. Recently, they created the Trailblazer Award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond in adding to our local tourism product. This year, the Board of Directors selected Kat Steinbrecher for her innovative remodels of empty buildings to create unique and memorable dining experiences at Porter Haus, Mary’s Stein Haus, Abi’s Bistro, and most recently, Kane’s Lobster Pot.
While investing in the community is highly important, the Tourism Bureau’s primary objective is to reach past and potential visitors. Their message is pushed out through a $900,000 annual marketing budget, which is used for targeted print, radio, digital, social media, display, retargeting, OTT, and TV campaigns. Media relations are also forged through familiarization tours and media hosting, which brings greater coverage to our area. This budget also contributes to the success of the Gaylord Golf Mecca, a separate branch of the Tourism Bureau that represents 17 spectacular golf courses and is the 2nd longest-running golf cooperative just behind Myrtle Beach.
Tourism is one of the most impactful industries in our community, and the Tourism Bureau’s Board of Directors and staff are passionate about enhancing our local offerings and providing visitors with the best possible impression of the “All Outdoors” paradise we call home.
Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau319 W. Main St Gaylord, MI 49735989-732-4000
Shared is one of many MBN interviews with Paul Beachnau from Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau over the years in the SoundCloud below:
