SEASON 6, EPISODE 15

On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Amy and Gonzo attend the annual Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism in Kalamazoo to talk to industry experts, learn about trends and introduce you to a Pure Michigan Pie!

Segment 1: In the show's opening segment, Amy and Gonzo learn a lot about how Europeans view Michigan as a tourism destination through the eyes - and lovely accents - of Thomas Vogler, who represents Pure Michigan in Germany, and Yolanda Fletcher, our rep in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Segment 2: In the hallways of this year's conference at the Radisson Hotel, Amy and Gonzo bumped into Patty Janes of Michigan Cares for Tourism, a 100% volunteer, 100% give-back partnership where tourism professionals come together to help restore Michigan’s historic, cultural and natural attractions. Patty introduced them to Shane Morse of the Department of Natural Resouces. As a park supervisor at Hayes State Park in Lenawee County, he has worked on a variety of projects over the years. He supervised a project at Cambridge Junction State Historic Park in Brooklyn near the Michigan International Speedway. He said DNR reps on hands were "just in awe with amount of work that is able to get done" with all the volunteers who showed up. (By the way, Cambridge is the only state park in Michigan that hosts a farmer's market. It takes places on Sundays each summer from May-October.)

Segment 3: Scott Graham, executive director of the Michigan Brewers Guild, talks about the impact of Michigan's 400-plus breweries on the state's tourism industry. Michigan ranks as the No. 6 state for craft breweries in the country.

Segment 4: Grand Traverse Pie Company debuted its Fruits of Summer Pure Michigan Pie at the conference, where attendees as well as to BTM's Amy and Gonzo got a sneak preview of it. Grand Traverse Pie Company co-owner Mike Busley tells us about all the fresh Michigan blueberries and cherries that go into the new pie, as well as the power of pie through helping families and children. The pie will go on sale May 6 at all of his stores and Meijer. (Oh, as for the pie....it's yummy. In fact, someone on the Behind the Mitten team had two slices? Can you guess who?)

Where are we going to be next week? We don't know. But tune in to find out.

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