MSA_Pure_Spirits_2019_Q2 - 19

HEN IT'S SUMMERTIME in Michigan, there's always a
lot to do. Catch a Tigers game downtown. Go swimming
or sailing on Lake Michigan. Spend the day at Mackinac
Island. Scramble up Castle Rock. Museums, historic lighthouses,
parks, relaxing at the beach-the choices are practically limitless.

One of your best options this summer is a festival,
and there are a lot to choose from. Spread throughout the state, Michigan is home to approximately
5,000 festivals a year and many of the best ones are
celebrated during the summer. Music, food, parades,
contests, games, auto shows, fireworks, art, sports,
cultural exhibitions, and much more-there's something for the whole family. These events are fun and
festive, but they're also a big boost to the state economy. Every year, our festivals make millions of dollars
for the people of Michigan.
One of the leading players in this is the Michigan
Festivals & Events Association (MFEA). Since 1992,
they've been promoting festivals, fairs, year-round
fun spots, and other attractions throughout the state.
This is great for local businesses, many of whom are
vendors at these events. And of course the people of
Michigan are also winners because they get to attend
so many enjoyable festivals. There are also a number
of intangible, but equally important, consequences
of the MFEA's hard work and dedication. For example, the festivals help foster a sense of togetherness,
civic spirit, cultural awareness, and opportunities for
volunteer work. These events both celebrate the community and help bring that community together.
The MFEA is a non-profit organization that serves
the communities, businesses and people of Michigan
in a number of ways. They do much more than market and assist the state festivals. One of their primary
jobs is education. The MFEA works closely with each
of its 800+ members-the organizations associated
with the state events. This includes the local festival
organizations, local and state government, vendors,
volunteers, and members of the hospitality and tourism industries. The MFEA, through its educational
and outreach programs, helps ensure that festivals
run smoothly and safely.
One person who's been instrumental in these ef-

IMAGE TK FROM MFEA

forts is Sue Bila, Director of the MFEA for 30 years.
She's an enthusiastic spokesperson for the organization itself and for all Michigan festivals. According
to Ms. Bila, "Every event that Michigan Festivals &
Events Association offers has the potential to spark
connections, provide valuable content, and deliver
memorable experiences that will keep your event/
business growing and profitable."
The MFEA is extraordinarily busy. Every year,
they design and lead workshops to train their team
of more than 1,000 volunteers. They also sponsor an
annual convention in the fall, which is attended by
over 800 people. The convention includes a trade
show marketplace, educational workshops and entertainment.
The Spirits industry is an important part of many
festivals in Michigan, as they benefit each other, and
both deliver benefits for the state. Delivering tens of

Sterling Heights
Germanfest

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 19

MSA_Pure_Spirits_2019_Q2

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