High Five Tourism to Present at the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference in Cadillac, MI!
Credit: Cadillac Area CVB, Mark Boardman
I’m excited to hit the road to Cadillac, Michigan, for the 2024 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference in May. Organized by the MSU Extension, the forum is hosted in a new, beautiful, thriving downtown location throughout Michigan each year, with conference sessions held directly in the local businesses that help communities thrive.
This is a homecoming of sorts for me, as the Cadillac area is my home community. “Beautiful” and “thriving” are definitely two words I would use to describe Cadillac’s downtown. My breakout session, “Small Communities, Big Impact: Tourism Promotion Insights,” was inspired by my small-town roots paired with my big-city experience in tourism development and destination marketing.
Conference Overview
Join other like-minded communities at the 2024 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) state-wide conference in Cadillac, Michigan! CEC is a one-of-a-kind conference designed to share ideas from entrepreneurial communities, learn about helpful resources, and empower each other to support local entrepreneurs. Participants will also learn best practices from state and local entrepreneurial professionals.
A signature element of this unique event is that all breakout sessions are embedded within downtown community buildings and storefronts. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and fully experience downtown Cadillac. There is plenty of time to walk, talk, and patronize local businesses between sessions.
The conference runs from noon Thursday, May 30, to noon Friday, May 31. The registration fee includes lunch in Cadillac, a Thursday evening networking event, breakfast, two local entrepreneur keynotes, and 20+ breakout sessions. Each attendee will be able to attend five sessions.
“Small Communities, Big Impact: Tourism Promotion Insights” Session Description
Discover the keys to success in promoting tourism for small communities. This presentation unveils best practices through case studies, emphasizing community engagement, sustainable development, and leveraging local assets. Learn from national examples showcasing innovative marketing, strategic partnerships, and digital outreach, empowering small destinations to attract diverse travelers. Gain practical insights to enhance your community's tourism potential and foster a resilient industry. Join us for a concise exploration of transformative strategies that significantly impact small-scale tourism.
How to Register for the Conference
Early registration: $125 (through April 1)
Normal registration: $150 (ends May 29)
At-the-door registration: $175
Communities/Organizations can pay for more than one person as long as they include the list of names of participants with their payment.
Cancellations received after May 15 will incur a $35 cancellation fee for all registrations.
Accommodations: There are several hotels and other accommodations in the Cadillac area for registrants to choose from. Lodging is not included in the registration fee. Lodging options can be found through the Cadillac Area CVB.
