Have YOUR Say in the Plans for the 2008 Annual Meeting!

All you have to do is sign up on our "Membership/Event Planning Committee" . It’s loads of fun planning entertainment, venues, food and drinks for our members. Contact Lori Libka at llibka@bronner.com and join in the fun! Here’s a sampling of what the committee oversees. 

 

    
•  Provides recommendations on membership recruitment materials.

    
• Provides recommendations on membership requirements and dues.

    
• Assists staff in promoting Circle Michigan Educational Seminars and Annual Meeting.

    
• Works to help coordinate venues, agenda, speakers for seminars and Annual Meeting.

    
• Works with staff to help solicit sponsors for Annual Meeting.

    
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  Supports efforts to maintain high rate of membership renewals.
  
      
  
      
  
      

    
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  COME ON...IT'S FUN!!!  
  
      
   
  
      

  Annual Meeting 2008 

  
      

  October 5th through October 7th!

  
      

 2007 Annual Meeting by Joyce Hawkins



Annual Meeting went so well, that I propose Annual Meeting now become Semi-Annual Meeting! Only kidding, folks, I know Janet, the committees, and the staff worked feverishly to put on the finishing touches to make the meeting a huge success. And the work was all worth it because feedback has been great, and the turnout was phenomenal (even though next year, we expect an even bigger crowd). For those who missed out this year, make your plans to attend next year’s event.



Being an Annual Meeting virgin, I was truly impressed with the friendships, the fun, the food, and let’s not forget, the education as well!



The venue, Hilton Airport Grand Rapids, was most gracious and accommodating to the Circle Michigan gang. And a gang it did become starting on Sunday night. After an exceptional dinner in one of the Hilton ballrooms, the stage came alive with two grand pianos and their remarkable piano players who got the crowd standing on their feet, dancing in the aisles, and singing at their tables. Members provided their own entertainment, too, when the “Frankenmuth” table broke into song. Herb Zielinger egged on his group in a traditional German toast. But not to be outdone, the “Detroit Area” table, taking their cues from Jennifer Petrous, belted out their own renditions. And actors?! Circle Michigan’s got ‘em. We had Elvis (Dave Lorenz of Travel Michigan) on stage (who received a rousing standing ovation), along with YMCA’s “Village People” (Ruthie Wuthsmith from Thunder Bay Resort, Odelle Caldwell of The Henry Ford, Victoria Leonard from Flint CVB, Kasie Bomer of Serendipity, and of course, the infamous Vicki Dunlop of the Southwest Tourist Council.



Then there was “Cozy Boomer” of Serendipity Publishing (a.k.a. Kasie Bomer), who entertained the crowd when she was chosen to aid the piano player with his harmonica.



Even our very own “soft-spoken” member Vicki Dunlop from Southwest Michigan Tourist Council got into the act showing off her dance moves in front of the rowdy crowd….Go Vicki!



Finally, as if in a live concert hall, lighted cell phone screens were held high by members (in lieu of lighters) swaying to and fro to the ballad of “Hey, Jude”



And that was only the first day!  

Can't wait until October 5th through 7th, 2008!