About the MFEA

The Michigan Festivals and Events Association is a statewide non-profit organization serving communities, events, festivals, fairs, businesses and volunteers throughout Michigan. We promote Festivals, Events, Tourism, Government Related Agencies, Main Attractions, Year-Round Fun Spots, Seasonal Fun Spots, Lodging, Students, and Vendors catering to Festivals and Events and provide technical assistance, training, and education.

We ourselves are not a festival, fair or event organizer.

Our marketing efforts that promote our Members includes our website, our quarterly magazine, monthly newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) and our YouTube channel.

We have a partnership with the Pure Michigan, Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions, the Tourism Industry Coalition Of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan and Mlive Media Group who produces two separate Spring Tabloids listing all of our Festivals, Fairs, Events, Main Attractions, Fun Spots, Lodging and Tourism Colleagues.

  • We publish a quarterly magazine highlighting the festivals, fairs & events throughout the entire state

  • We have the largest State Festivals, Fairs, Events, & Destinations Association in the Nation

  • MichiganFun® is a registered trademark of Michigan Festivals & Events Association

  • Our website averages over 20k page views monthly.

  • #1 SEO for Google searches for Michigan Festivals

  • Party @ MI Place™ is Michigan Festivals & Events Association’s Trademark tagline

  • We are the voice of festivals, fairs and events when it comes to local, county and state government.

IDEAS SHARED. VISIONS FORMED. A NEW LEVEL.

Our Mission

To support and promote festivals, fairs, events, attractions, suppliers and tourism through education, marketing and networking for the success of our members.

Our People

Volunteers play important roles in our festivals and events – and in our Association, too. The governance structure of Michigan Festivals Events Association encourages volunteers to assist in the development of our strategic goals.

Mike Szukhent

President & CEO
[email protected]

BOARD MEMBERS

Lisa M. Thomas

Chairman
(3 year term – 2024)
Bay Rama, Inc.

Linda Kelly

Co Chairman
(3 year term – 2022)
Zehnders Snow Fest

Leesa Paul

Treasure
(3 year term – 2022)
Cary and Paul Group

Kathy Reynolds

Secretary
(3 year term – 2022)
Alger County Chamber (Pictured Rock Days)

Henry Bowman

Board Member
(3 year term – 2021)
City of St. Clair Shores

Betty Ciesielski

Board Member
(3 year term – 2022)
Happening in Linden

Ken Mattei

Board Member
(1st of 3 year term – 2021)
Gaylord Alpine Festival

Dale Johnson

Board Member
(3 year term – 2022)
Francis L. Dean & Associates

Peggy Anderson

Board Member
(3 year term – 2022)
Anderson Midways

Susan Mesack

Board Member
(3 year term – 2022)
Swartz Creek Hometown Days

Rod Beach

Board Member
(3 year term – 2024)
Beach Concessions

Jerry Preston

Board Member
(2 year term – 2022)
Back to the Bricks

Bob Skerbeck

Board Member
(3 year term – 2022)
Skerbeck Family Carnival

Mike Smith

Board Member
(3 year term – 2021)
Coast Guard Festival

Kat Paye

Board Member
(3 year term – 2024)
Natioanl Cherry Festival

Raul Alverez

Board Member
(3 year term – 2024)
Well Design Studio

Keith Stickley

Board Member
(3 year term – 2024)
The Great American Sideshow

Christy Trammell

Board Member
(3 year term – 2024)
Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce

MFEA LIAISON

Paul Howland

Special Assistant
Travel Michigan

Lisa Reiff

Executive Director
Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions

HONORARY MEMBERS

Chris Holman

CEO
Michigan Business Network

Dave Lorenz

Vice President
Travel Michigan

Lisa Reiff

Executive Director
Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions

Gary McDowell

Director
Michigan Department of Agriculture &
Rural Development

Alison Watson

Executive Director
Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs

MFEA STAFF

Molly Ward

Convention & Special Projects
[email protected]

Eric J. Bolf

Sales & Marketing Director
[email protected]

BECOME A PART OF THE MICHIGAN FESTIVALS EVENTS ASSOCIATION

Make a Difference. Enhance Your Skills. Be a Member.

To become a volunteer or learn more about the Michigan Festivals Events Association governance structure, please contact the MFEA office below.