Southeast Michigan Geotourism Conference Touts Regional Attractions, History and Natural Resources

Oct. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Can our rich history, diverse attractions and abundant natural resources play a major role in our region’s economic revival?

Organizers of the first Southeast Michigan Geotourism Conference: Maximizing our Assets by Capitalizing on our Attractions, History and Natural Resources to be held on the campus of Eastern Michigan University believe so. They hope the conference serves as a catalyst for a regional marketing effort and draws an audience who envision southeast Michigan as a major tourist destination. Visit http://semigeotourismconference.com for full details.

Co-hosted by Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Geography and Geology and Southeast Michigan Heritage Tourism Alliance (SEMHTA), the conference - which coincides with national Geography Awareness Week - will be held on November 18, 2010 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the EMU Student Center Grand Ballroom.

The focus of the conference is to raise awareness of the vast tourism opportunities present in southeast Michigan that encompass historic sites, popular attractions and recreational activities, and to demonstrate the positive impact geotourism can have on our region’s economic development.

“Geotourism, a concept introduced in 1997 by National Geographic’s tourism editor Jonathon Tourtellot, is considered ‘best practice’ tourism,” says Professor Kelly Victor-Burke, EMU geography instructor and conference committee co-chair.

“This involves tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, such as its culture, environment, heritage and the well-being of its residents. Tourism that focuses on the well-being of local residents is vitally important not only as a source of revenue generation but also because it serves as an incentive for the community to protect what it is people are coming to see.”

Professor Victor-Burke adds: “Adopting geotourism as a standard of practice could promote Detroit and southeast Michigan as a unique destination, setting us apart from most other places. It would serve as an opportunity to bring together business owners, academics, politicians and local residents.”  

Prominent speakers presenting at the geotourism conference include:

•   Phillip Cooley, co-owner of Slows Bar B Q in Detroit. Mr. Cooley, a popular urban activist and Detroit champion, goes beyond the harsh lens of mainstream media and popular perception in his presentation Destination Detroit and reveals a distinctly Detroit travel experience.

•   Roger Curtis, president of Michigan International Speedway, home to the state’s largest single-day admission sporting event, traces the evolution of this popular attraction with MIS: Past and Present.

•   Dr. Ted Ligibel, director of EMU’s Historic Preservation Program shows how restoration and preservation benefits the future both culturally and economically in The Case for Historic Preservation.

•   Anita Twardesky, Riverside Kayak public relations director, reveals the numerous hiking, biking, and kayaking trails that now exist along one of our greatest natural resources, the Detroit River in One River: Many Voices.

•   Daniel Kinkead, an architect with Hamilton Anderson Associates, shares the value of our regional assets such as Woodward Avenue, a nationally-designated byway, in Understanding Our Regional Assets through Critical Evidence-based Analyses.  

•   George Zimmermann and Dave Lorenz, executives with the Michigan Department of Economic Development and Travel Michigan, the official State of Michigan tourism promotion agency, will speak on travel trends and utilizing Travel Michigan services to promote local attractions.

Drawing upon the sustainable aspect of geotourism, a Greening of Southeast Michigan panel discussion will feature eco-friendly practices by local industry professionals. Green panelists include: Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis, Southgate Comfort Suites Owner Raj Patel, EMU Professor Chris Mayda, Zingerman’s Founding Partner Paul Saginaw and The Henry Ford/Ford Rouge Plant Tour Manager Cynthia Jones.

“This conference is an exciting boost for our region,” says Karin Risko, SEMHTA executive director and conference committee co-chair. “Bringing together all these upbeat and talented people together under one roof to talk up the best southeast Michigan offers can only bring about positive changes in attitude and perception.”

A positive impact on EMU students is another benefit of the conference.

“Co-hosting the conference has given our geography tourism students the rare opportunity to actually engage in event planning from beginning to end while gaining real work experience that will serve them well upon graduation,” says Dr. Rick Sambrook, EMU Geography and Geology Department Head.

“Student team members are already engaging with the business community and networking.”  

Registration for the Southeast Michigan Geotourism Conference: Maximizing our Assets by Capitalizing on our Attractions, History and Natural Resources is underway with an early registration rate of $75 valid through October 15th. Registration after October 15th is $99.

To register, visit http://semigeotourismconference.com or call 734.926.7577. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses wishing to be part of this influential event.


The Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Geography and Geology is home to both Historic Preservation and Geotourism programs. These programs are actively engaged within the state and local communities.  The Historic Preservation Program, one of the oldest preservation programs in the nation, recently partnered with the State of Michigan’s Historical Marker Program. The department also offers an accredited undergraduate Urban & Regional Planning Program, one of only 15 such programs in the entire U.S.  

Southeast Michigan Heritage Tourism Alliance (SEMHTA) was established in 2010 by Hometown History Tours founder Karin Risko. This grass roots organization’s mission is to stimulate economic development in southeast Michigan by identifying and marketing the region’s vast historical and cultural assets and natural resources.

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About Southeast Michigan Heritage Tourism Alliance. Southeast Michigan Heritage Tourism Alliance (SEMHTA) was established in 2010 by Hometown History Tours founder Karin Risko. This grass roots organization’s mission is to stimulate economic development in southeast Michigan by identifying and marketing the region’s vast historical and cultural assets and natural resources. Visit http://semhta.com for more information.