Listen to the radio spot (0:60) and watch the commercials.

"Where up north meets down south ... Throughout 11,000 acres
of beautiful lakes, wetlands and woods ..."

With help from Travel Michigan and the "Pure Michigan" campaign, Flint and Genesee County will naturally come to mind when we hear these words. Read the article from The Flint Journal.

Beginning April 17, a 60-second radio spot will begin playing on local stations, and this summer, on stations in Grand Rapids, Traverse City, South Bend, Indiana, and Toledo, Ohio. "These four cities were selected as cities most likely to act on our message of Flint and Genesee County being great tourist destinations," said Jerry Preston, president of the Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We think it is important to raise the image of Flint and Genesee County outside the city, but also inside the city." For this, the FACVB has partnered with the Flint Cultural Center Corporation and the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission for radio spots and billboard placement. "They have the same desire as we have, and have more purchasing power that we have, so it is a perfect partnership," said Preston.

The campaign was unveiled at a special event on April 17, and hosted at the Flint Institute of Arts. Guests were among the first to hear how this exciting partnership will enhance the image of Flint and Genesee County.

The radio spots with begin airing on April 17 and run through August on Regent Broadcasting, Citadel Broadcasting and Cumulus Broadcasting stations. It will also be aired on three stations in Grand Rapids, eight stations in Traverse City, two stations in South Bend and six stations in Toledo. In addition to radio spots, billboards will also be placed in Grand Rapids, South Bend and Toledo from May through July. There will be four locations in each city.

Three years ago, Travel Michigan, a business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, proudly announced that their goal was not only to promote Michigan as a tourist destination with the state, but to create a distinct Michigan travel brand that differentiates Michigan from other states and destinations. And it worked! The "Pure Michigan" campaign not only evokes goose bumps, but also spurs action, driving visitors to Michigan. A record number of potential visitors have visited the state's website (www.michigan.org), earning it the title as the most popular state tourism Web site in America for 2007.

The "Pure Michigan" campaign is not just about increasing the number of visitors to Michigan. It is about redefining the image of Michigan - A place filled with an abundance of natural, cultural and recreational assets, and the kind of lifestyle that many people yearn for.

Since its introduction, several cities have become partners in the "Pure Michigan" campaign such as Saginaw, Detroit and Traverse City. Now, it's time for Flint and Genesee County!