040926 ~ Destination Ann Arbor Goes to Countywide Model - Chad Wiebesick
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Destination Ann Arbor is making a bold shift from a city-centric to a county-wide model, opening offices in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Ypsilanti to better serve Washtenaw County’s entire tourism ecosystem. Host Lucy Ann Lance celebrates the move as long overdue, highlighting how it strengthens regional collaboration and ensures economic benefits flow beyond Ann Arbor’s borders. Chad Wiebesick, Director of Media Relations and Special Projects, explains that while Ann Arbor remains the 'front door' for national visibility, the real power lies in dispersing visitors across the county—where towns like Chelsea and Ypsilanti are now gaining recognition for vibrant food scenes, cultural attractions, and major events like RowFest, a state-leading rowing competition. With 6 million annual visitors spending $800 million locally, the new model isn’t just about branding—it’s about equity, sustainability, and proving that regional tourism success depends on lifting up every community, not just the most famous one.
6 million visitors annually spend $800 million in Washtenaw County, directly boosting local economies and public services.
The countywide office model in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Ypsilanti ensures tourism benefits extend beyond Ann Arbor’s borders.
Ann Arbor acts as the national 'front door' to the region, but visitors are increasingly dispersed to towns like Chelsea and Ypsilanti.
Events like RowFest at Ford Lake showcase how cross-sector collaboration drives major tourism wins and regional pride.
Destinations like Chelsea and Ypsilanti are building economic vitality by attracting visitors from neighboring Jackson County.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Ann Arbor's Shift to Countywide Tourism
“It will now have locations in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Ypsilanti, and the shift is designed to strengthen the collaboration and enhance how their team engages with partners and communities across Washtenaw County because we've got a rich region in culture, activities.”
Why Ann Arbor Remains the Front Door
Chad Wiebesick explains that while Ann Arbor leads national visibility, Detroit drives international recognition—and the new model helps funnel visitors to the whole region.
The Power of Visitor Dispersal
“They're going to Chelsea and Ypsilanti and Milan and all the other ones. When you look at those other communities... What kinds of things do they offer visitors from afar?”
Food, Culture, and Hidden Gems
“The new JD Bistro that's poised to open in Chelsea. Have you heard about this? Oh, this is the one that Jeff Daniels is helping foster, right? Yeah. It's going to be an event space, restaurant, bar, right? All worlds.”
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Data reveals 6 million visitors spend $800 million annually, supporting jobs, infrastructure, and quality of life across the county.
“Ann Arbor puts our area here on the map, but once folks come, there's this strategy within destination marketing called dispersal. So we disperse visitors throughout the county and they're coming through the front door, but they are definitely checking out all the rooms of the house.”
“This project of creating this new rowing course came together through collaboration. And so it was local partnerships with EMU and Ypsilanti Township and others across.”
“It will now have locations in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Ypsilanti, and the shift is designed to strengthen the collaboration and enhance how their team engages with partners and communities across Washtenaw County because we've got a... a rich region in culture,”
Host
Guest
Ann Arbor
place
Chad Wiebesick
person
Ypsilanti
place
Destination Ann Arbor
organization
Chelsea
place
University of Michigan
organization
Eastern Michigan University
organization
Ford Lake
place
RowFest
other
Jeff Daniels
person
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