The Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan’s Product Development Committee is focusing efforts on one of its four primary objectives, to increase access to capital for travel-related businesses. They are creating Project Tourism for April 19, 2017 where hospitality based businesses will compete at a live event for cash prizes for a special project.
Six hospitality-based companies will be selected as finalists to compete for cash prizes- First place prize is $7,000, second place is $2,000 and third place is $1,000. Judges will consist of traditional and non-traditional lenders and industry leaders. Finalists will each have five minutes to present their special project and compete for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes to help towards that project. Finalists will be judge by a panel for 80% of the vote, 20% will come the attendees of the event.
Want to apply?
What new project could you tackle with $7,000 to leverage funding? Dream big about what you could do with $7,000. The pitch should describe a tourism related capital project. How much total capital is needed? How will these funds enhance your business and therefore benefit our tourism industry? How this could be a catalyst to something bigger? Please send your pitch with no more than 250 words about how this could change your business, your community or your industry. Explain your plan or project with as much detail as you can. Ideal candidates would use the funds as leverage for loans with traditional and nontraditional funders. Deadline to apply- March 15, 2017. Click here to apply: https://goo.gl/forms/Y6PGjHIfGY1f9Ms23
