New Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative goes public

Let’s do some quick math. There are some eight-million people who live within an hour’s drive of Lake St. Clair (including our Canadian friends). Of those eight-million, there are those people who know about Lake St. Clair and its assets—but there are a lot more who don’t.

On any given day, Lake St. Clair is home to such pleasures as riding on a “go-fast” boat, reeling in a trophy musky, kicking back at the beach, rafting off at a “floating party,” biking along the lakeshore, taking a refreshing dip, savoring an awesome sunset over a romantic dinner—and so much more. On this lake of many riches, you can discover your own personal passions and pleasures.

But for many residents in Southeast Michigan, Lake St. Clair is still a gem waiting to be discovered. The Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative has one primary purpose: to increase awareness of the rich and diverse assets offered by the area’s communities and businesses in order to connect more of the region’s residents and visitors to its shore.

The Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative, after a year of exploration and planning, is ready to go public with a launch that is sure to make a splash.  Led by a diverse think-tank that includes the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Michigan Boating Industries Association, industry leaders, nonprofit associations and stakeholder groups, the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative has become a living, breathing entity, a 501(c) (6) organization. The primary target of the marketing message is the potential new visitor who is unaware of everything Lake St. Clair has to offer.

Through a unique marketing plan and brand strategy, existing and new visitors to Lake St. Clair will be attracted, then engaged; they will learn things they didn’t know about the Lake’s rich assets—and do this through the promise of a great experience on its shores, in our businesses, at our attractions or on the water itself. As a result, we believe more people will discover the Lake St. Clair area as a top destination in which to live, play, shop—and even consider starting their own business here.

The Initiative will also provide an umbrella of organizational and marketing support for existing merchants and business associations, web sites and other business and civic organizations, which ultimately benefit from and support the lake and its business community. Through these efforts, The Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative seeks to create a dynamic and memorable communications program which builds confidence and pride in the region by promoting a message of discovery/re-discovery of Lake St. Clair and its rich, varied and interesting destinations. All in all, the Tourism Initiative will define new travel and recreational opportunities that will help shape behaviors and position the Lake and its assets to attract greater growth in the years ahead.