FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is hailed as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2007

September 1, 2006

Mackinac Island , MI-The American Bus Association (ABA) announced the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, June 8-17, 2007 has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2007 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival] offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, said ABA.

With the release of the American Bus Association’s 2007 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 25 years of the Top 100 Events. What began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.

“The attractiveness of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for Mackinac Island said Peter J. Pantuso, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives Mackinac Island an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”

According to studies recently completed by researchers at The George Washington University and Dunham and Associaties, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from US$5,000 to more than US$13,000 in a local destination’s economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

Mary McGuire Slevin, executive director and festival organizer for the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau adds “the lilac festival began as a one day parade in 1949 and has blossomed into a 10 day event. The motorcoach industry is very important to the success of our festival and the economy of Mackinac Island’s business community. Tourism dollars are critical to maintain our economy and it is an honor to be recognized for our lilac festival by the American Bus Association who are tireless in promoting tourism across America.”

“Simply put,” said Pantuso, “motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer. That’s why the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay.”

ABA ’s 2007 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus. Judges considered the event’s broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

The Top 100 Events list is available online at www.buses.org.

About Mackinac Island:
Mackinac Island is a National Historic Landmark located between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas and covers 2,200 acres of land. The Island banned private motor vehicle use during the last century and today relies on the services of more than 600 horses to provide residents and visitors transportation around the Island.

Mackinac hosts nearly a million visitors each year and is home to the Lilac Festival, Chicago & Bay View Yacht Clubs’ Race to Mackinac Boat Race, Fudge Festival, Grand Hotel Labor Day Jazz Festival and Somewhere in Time Weekend. For more information visit, www.mackinacisland.org or call 1-800-454-5227.

Contact:
Mary McGuire Slevin
800-454-5227
Email