DeWitt, Mich. – With over 45,000 entries, the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) BOYNE Vacation Sweepstakes generated a record number of participants for the commodity group and garnered attention to its ongoing Locally Grown marketing initiative.
MAC joined forces with BOYNE in the fall to support the state’s 900 family-owned orchards and showcase Northern Michigan as a beautiful travel destination.
Julie Ard, director of resort marketing for BOYNE, said the resorts were pleased to partner with MAC on the promotion.
“We support a great number of Michigan products throughout our many restaurants and establishments, and hope to bring even more exposure to Michigan’s abundant agricultural offerings through the sweepstakes, “said Ard.
Holly Whetstone, MAC manager of marketing and communications, said the vacation sweepstakes helped promote Michigan as an agri-tourism destination. This sweepstakes was the first of its kind for MAC’s Locally Grown marketing program.
“The sweepstakes was successful in reaching consumers in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Kentucky who can readily purchase Michigan Apples,” said Whetstone. “We hope to have the same kind of support in this fall’s Locally Grown contest which has yet to be announced.”
The giveaway was primarily advertised on 2 million Kwik-Lok® tags (2 ¾ inch square) affixed to the apple bags. The contest period was September through December 2010—the height of the Michigan Apple season. Entrants, required to live in the six-state region, registered online at MichiganApples.com/contests.
The winners, drawn at random in January, are:
· G. Henderson of Bay City, Mich.
· V. McCorkle of Clio, Mich.
· P. Mitter of West Bloomfield, Mich.
Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.
BOYNE is a collection of mountain and golf resorts, retail stores and real estate opportunities based in Michigan. Each of the collection is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions and includes Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls; Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs and The Inn at Bay Harbor – A Renaissance Golf Resort in Bay Harbor as well as Bay Harbor Golf Club, Crooked Tree Golf Club, Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, Boyne Country Sports and Boyne Realty. For more information on BOYNE, visit www.BOYNE.com.
Source: Michigan Apple Committee
