The lack of approval of the Pure Michigan funding resulted in the cancellation of any Fall advertising campaign and now it looks like there will be no advertising this winter.
7&4's Kate Fox spoke to Northern Michigan ski resorts who are concerned and say that the prior winter Pure Michigan advertising campaigns created a spike in their businesses.
Boyne Mountain Marketing Director Julie Ard says "At both of our resorts, both Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain we did see an increase in overall traffic that 2008-2009 season."
Shanty Creek Snow Sports Director Steve Kershner says, "Being able to do the Pure Michigan advertising outside the state was very instrumental with getting people from other areas into the state and we definitely saw more license plates from Illinois in our parking lots that season."
So now without a winter Pure Michigan advertising campaign, Shanty Creek is turning to new out-of-state advertising methods.
Kershner says, "We went ahead and bought media--print media, radio spots, and TV spots in out-of-state markets that we have not done in Shanty Creek for a few years."
Both resorts will also provide even more special incentives this winter to generate customers.
Ard says, "We continue to work toward value pricing our packages that we offer for over night stay--we have some great evening lift ticket promotions as well."
Kershner says, "We do something that's pretty unique, called 'Sardine Special' where we charge a single price for a car load of skiers to get lift tickets...we're doing that two Saturdays this year."
Both resorts hope to see funds come back for the Pure Michigan winter campaign because they say it is an important part of the Michigan tourist industry.
