Northern Michigan stamped its mark on the international golf scene when it welcomed the world for the 15th annual North America Golf Tourism Convention staged by global golf tourism organisation IAGTO.
Held at Boyne Mountain Resort, NAC was attended by 280 delegates from 29 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse tourism events ever to have taken place in a region known as America’s Summer Capital of Golf.
Event host BOYNE Golf alone boasts 10 golf courses, which it calls “Michigan’s Magnificent Ten”. They include the Bay Harbor and Arthur Hills golf courses, joint venues of the NAC Golf Tournament that kicked off the convention, both of which received high praise from the convention participants.
There are seven golf resorts, with 29 courses between them, within a 90-minute drive of regional gateway Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport. Those are in addition to numerous individual golf clubs set amidst a landscape brimming with lakes, forests, hills, islands and rivers, complemented by vineyards, lake resort towns, open roads and ideal summer golfing weather.
Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), said: “For 95% of these well-travelled delegates, this was their first visit to northern Michigan, and it has really opened their eyes to the possibilities of developing summer golf programmes for their golf travelling clients who are always on the lookout for new experiences.
“The event itself also served to bring the region’s golf tourism industry together, with the support of the Petoskey Area, Traverse City, Gaylord and Michigan State as well as the America’s Summer Capital of Golf association of courses. I really feel that we have done something tremendous for the destination that will generate immediate and sustainable results.”
Walton added: “NAC has a long-established record as the single most important golf tourism event in the USA. During two days of meetings between golf tour operators and golf tourism suppliers, primarily from across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, business was placed and new destinations embraced that will set the course of golf travel throughout the Americas over the coming 15 months.”
Ken Griffin, BOYNE Golf’s Director of Golf and Marketing, said: “It was an honour for BOYNE Golf to host the IAGTO 2024 NAC at Boyne Mountain Resort.
“It was rewarding to see the delegates take advantage of our long days, to experience first-hand the quality and variety of our 10 courses, as well as the variety of activities available when they were not on our courses. The best golf travel experts from around the world experienced just how incredible a Northern Michigan golf experience at BOYNE Golf can be.”
Birmingham in Alabama was announced as the host destination for the next NAC, taking place from June 17-19, 2025.
COMMENTS FROM NAC PARTICIPANTS
“NAC 2024 was a fabulous event. We enjoyed fruitful meetings with a wide range of sellers, strengthened existing relationships and, importantly, came away with many new ideas. Northern Michigan overdelivered as a venue – great golf, accommodation and activities off the course, set beautifully among scenic lakes and hillsides. It was an inspired and inspiring choice of location, which when combined with IAGTO’s excellent event operating skills, exceeded our expectations.”
Adrienne Witteman, Managing Director, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre, Australia
“It has been a very enjoyable and productive week. It was my first time in Michigan, and it’s been great to see some of the excellent golf and hotel product, while experiencing the local landscape and stunning views of the lake. I had two full days of meetings, all of which were very worthwhile, as we continue to build venue relationships across the US. Thank you to the team at IAGTO, Boyne Mountain Resort and all the other partners that played their part in creating a successful event. I look forward to being in Alabama next year.”
Adam Ward, Product Director – Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR, USA
“The NAC event is similar to the other IAGTO conventions in that it allows our European Tour Destinations to focus on key geographical markets with the best operators in that area. This year’s event at Boyne provided the perfect blend of meetings and social events to allow our attending destinations to make and reinforce relationships, securing business for 2025 from the North American market. NAC is a key date in our calendar and we look forward to seeing everyone again in Alabama in 2025.”
Ian Knox, Head of European Tour Destinations
“Many participants from both supplier and buyer companies are saying that this might be the best NAC show ever. The location and facilities of Boyne Mountain Resort are spectacular. The restaurants that we have been recommended are worthy of being destinations in themselves. The evenings were full of fun as only IAGTO organisers know how to do.”
Joseph Lester, Managing Partner, Palmera Travel, Dominican Republic
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PHOTOS
To download selected photos from the event, please click here.
About IAGTO
Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, and has 2300 members in over 94 countries including more than 660 golf tour operator members in 69 countries, which are responsible for more than 90% of golf vacation packages sold worldwide and which collectively have annual sales of over US$ 2.5 billion. IAGTO runs three annual conventions spanning the globe, with events in Asia and North America in addition to IEC, along with regular Destination Conventions. IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Writers Association in 2000, the year in which the first prestigious annual IAGTO Awards also took place.
