Once again, the ASTA Mid-Michigan annual supplier event was a great success. This year the event was held at the Detroit Yacht Club. The annual event, hosted by the Mid-Michigan Small Business Network, is always a themed event, and for the past four years, the theme has been “Christmas in July.” The event started as a fundraiser for ASTA Pac and a community giveback program for foster children where warm items such as hats, gloves, socks, pillows, and blankets were collected and distributed to the children during the holiday season. This year we changed the theme to “Jingle in July” since we could all use a little more change in our pockets!
The event’s giveback program shifted and was dedicated to the travel advisors! To say ‘thank you’ for the advisors’ hard work and dedication, the suppliers in attendance gave several door prizes. Those suppliers who could not yet attend events in person were quite generous in providing a door prize.
The Jingle in July event had 68 Advisors and 33 Travel Partners in attendance. Although we try to be more of a unique-boutique experience with smaller attendance and keeping podium presentations to approximately 5 minutes for introductions to their product, each year, we have expanded the attendance of our advisors and supplier partners. This year was no exception. The event holds many benefits but most importantly, it allows us to meet face to face and build relationships with new supplier partners and new local BDM’s, as well as reconnect with our long-standing partners.
All who attended had a wonderful time networking. An ASTA supplier partner, Royal Caribbean International, stated, “As always, you all hosted a BLOCKBUSTER event last week. Thank you so much for all your hard work and time you put into EVERYTHING ASTA!!!”
After the pandemic shutdown, the event paused from 2020 until the Summer of 2021. Our chapter 
had to pivot in how we moved forward, and we were very successful in doing so. Last year, the ASTA Mid-Michigan Chapter hosted the first sizable in-person industry event to take place and the only ASTA in-person tradeshow. The 2021 event was hosted at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial riverfront under a large event tent outdoors. We had 57 advisors and 21 Suppliers.
The ASTA Mid-Michigan Chapter Board appreciates the travel suppliers and advisors who could attend this year’s Annual Supplier Showcase Event- themed “Jingle in July”!
If you could not make it this year, SAVE THE DATE JULY 12, 2023.
ASTA Mid-Michigan Chapter Board Members:
Deb Belchak, Chapter President & North Central Regional Director
Dora Fouchea, Vice-President
Josette Drobek, Treasurer
Maryann Dillon, Secretary
Debby Bragiel, ASTA PAC Chair
Sandy Milis, Fundraiser & Events Chair
Lisa Watson, Technology Chair
Susan Trantham, Membership Chair
Julianne Kaplani, Social Media & Young Professional Chair
