Ypsi CVB celebrates Geography Awareness Week as presenting sponsor of geotourism conference at EMU

Nov. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- The Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to be the presenting sponsor for the Southeast Michigan Geotourism Conference: Maximizing our Assets by Capitalizing on our Attractions, History and Natural Resources held on the campus of Eastern Michigan University on Thursday, November 18, 2010.

Co-hosted by Eastern Michigan University Department of Geography and Geology and Southeast Michigan Heritage Tourism Alliance, the conference coincides with Geography Awareness Week and touts the vast tourism opportunities unique to southeast Michigan that encompass historic sites, popular attractions and recreational activities.

Conference organizers hope to convey the positive impact of geotourism - tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, such as its culture, environment, heritage and the well-being of its residents - can have on our region’s economic development as well.

Noted geographer, professor and author Harm de Blij will deliver a special welcome and several featured speakers  include tourism and hospitality professionals Roger Curtis, president of Michigan International Speedway, Phillip Cooley of Slows Bar BQ, and Dave Lorenz, Travel Michigan manager of public and industry relations. Drawing upon the sustainability aspect of geotourism, a Greening of Southeast Michigan panel discussion will feature eco-friendly practices by local industry professionals.

"This conference is the perfect opportunity for the Ypsilanti CVB to join Eastern Michigan University in raising awareness of eco-friendly, sustainable tourism opportunities throughout southeastern Michigan," Debbie Locke-Daniel, executive director for the Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau said.

“We are honored and excited the Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is supporting our event as the presenting sponsor,” Kelly Victor-Burke, EMU professor of geography and conference co-chair said. “We look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship in promoting the concept of geotourism in the future.”

For further information on the conference, visit: http://semigeotourismconference.com  or call: (734) 926-7577.


The Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the economy of Washtenaw County through promotion of the area as a tourism destination for residents both regionally and locally.

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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Southeast Michigan Heritage Tourism Alliance (SEMHTA) is an economic and community development organization dedicated to raising awareness of the historic significance of our region.