TC-based Paddle for Pints won the first-ever Governor’s Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration in the Experience Development & Presentation category. Paddle for Pints takes participants along a guided course on Boardman Lake, Boardman River and West Bay, where they visit six breweries along the way. Last year, it consisted of 27 event dates with 18 collaborating partners and 4,800 participants.

Also winning an award was Up North Trails, a collaboration of several entities, including Networks Northwest Land Information Access Association, Traverse Area Recreational and Transportation Trails, Inc., and Flight Path Creative of Traverse City. It won in the category of Non-Traditional Partnerships. Up North Trails brings together regional stakeholders to support and enhance economic development opportunities by developing a comprehensive trail marketing initiative in a 21-county area of northern Michigan.

The Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan is comprised of more than 50 statewide tourism associations, corporations and convention and visitor bureaus whose mission is to promote Michigan’s travel and tourism industry.