Destination Ann Arbor 2021 Annual Report
The 2021 Annual Report is an overview of Destination Ann Arbor's efforts to fulfill its mission and vision. As the tourism industry slowly started to recover in 2021, view all of the ways we supported our local community and worked to generate awareness of Washtenaw County as a desired destination for travelers, hosting meetings and sporting events.
 |
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE DESTINATION ANN ARBOR 2021 ANNUAL REPORT > |
TOM DALDIN - Under the Radar Michigan
Tom Daldin is the host and creator of Under the Radar Michigan, an Emmy award winning PBS television series that features the cool people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.
JIM EDELMAN - Under the Radar Michigan
Creating Under the Radar Michigan fulfilled Jim Edelman's lifelong mission to combine the best of his sales skills with his unmatched creativity. His love of storytelling and searching for offbeat, little-known stories makes the discoveries of UTR a perfect fit.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Adam Sacks, Tourism Economics
Navigating the Perilous Road to Recovery
The leisure market has led the recovery to date, and economic fundamentals point to a solid foundation for continued rebuilding. However, business and group travel remain suppressed and risks of inflation, labor force issues, and supply chain constraints loom large. Adam Sacks will share Tourism Economics’ latest views on the economy, the mindset of travelers, and expectations for how and when travel will fully recover.
Adam Sacks is the founder and President of Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company dedicated to understanding the relationship between travel and the economy. For more than 25 years, Adam has worked with destinations, industry associations, and companies around the world to deliver market assessments, forecast scenarios, policy evaluations, and economic impact studies.
Adam is a member of the US Department of Commerce Travel & Tourism Advisory board and his work regularly informs national and local government advocacy efforts. Adam sincerely enjoys speaking at industry conferences but prefers singing and playing guitar.
ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS INCLUDED:
MARY KERR - PRESIDENT and CEO
Destination Ann Arbor President & CEO, Mary Kerr, highlighted the 2021 successes and provided a look forward at the 2022 initiatives. Attendees learned about the programs underway to improve the experience for those who visit and live here.
MICHAEL WEBER - 2022 CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Michael Weber grew up in the hospitality industry working every job at his family’s business, Weber’s Boutique Hotel and Restaurant. He graduated with a BS in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University. Michael worked at Hyatt Hotels and Shaw’s Crab House in Chicago before returning as Vice President at Weber’s in 2011. Michael currently serves as President of the Washtenaw County Hotel Association, and 2022 Chair of Destination Ann Arbor. Michael looks forward to spending his life here and contributing to his community.
PAM SMITH - CEO & President of United Way of Washtenaw County
Pam Smith has been the President and CEO of the United Way of Washtenaw County since 2012. She is dedicated to strengthening the community through philanthropy, collaboration, and community engagement. Her vision and leadership guides the Equity, Diversity, and Justice work of the United Way of Washtenaw County. She has led a team in raising more than 50 million dollars for the community, opened a Volunteer Center that engages more than 11,000 people annually, and developed Financial Stability programming that has reached thousands.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
