Originally uploaded April 21st, reloaded April 24th. Chris Holman welcomes back Michael Price, STS/CTA, Executive Vice President, Destination Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI. Welcome back, Mike. The Ann Arbor area has earned a 2026 Governor’s Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration. Tell us about it? This project took more than a decade of collaboration. What made this public-private partnership successful, and what can other regions learn from it? With over $7 million in economic impact from RowFest, how do events like this translate into long-term business growth for the region? What role does a unique asset, like an Olympic-caliber rowing course, play in helping a region compete for national events and tourism dollars? How do you balance creating a destination for large-scale events while still delivering year-round value to the local community? With RowFest returning and more events under consideration, what is the long-term strategy to build Washtenaw County into a national sports tourism hub? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Ann Arbor Area Earns Statewide Tourism Award for Rowing Course at Ford Lake ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 2026 - Destination Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Sports Commission have earned a 2026 Governor’s Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration from the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) for the development of the Rowing Course at Ford Lake and the hosting of the USRowing RowFest National Championships. The award, presented in the Tourism Experience Development category, recognizes collaborative efforts that create new and compelling tourism experiences in Michigan. The recognition highlights a multi-partner collaboration that brought together public, private, and institutional stakeholders to develop Michigan’s first Olympic-caliber rowing venue and launch it with a national championship event. Located in Ypsilanti Township, the EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake is Michigan’s first and only Olympic-caliber, eight-lane, 2,000-meter rowing venue, placing Michigan among a limited number of destinations nationwide capable of hosting championship rowing events. This project represents more than a decade of collaboration among community leaders, including Destination Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Sports Commission, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti Township, the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, and US Rowing. Together, these partners recognized Washtenaw County’s potential to become a premier destination for major rowing competitions at the EMU Rowing Course on Ford Lake. The lake’s natural assets, the character of the surrounding community, and the region’s accessibility, both to a major international airport and a strong drive market, were key factors in attracting USRowing and its participants to the region. ### About Destination Ann Arbor Destination Ann Arbor is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to elevate economic vitality and connect our communities through the power of travel. For more information, visit AnnArbor.org. About the Ann Arbor Sports Commission The Ann Arbor Sports Commission, a division of Destination Ann Arbor, is dedicated to creating and hosting world-class sporting events that provide opportunities for athletes and make a positive impact in the community. As a full-service sports commission, we produce elite events and develop long-term partnerships throughout the industry and community through exceptional service. For more information, visit AnnArborSports.org.
