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.

  • We publish a yearly 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

Bob Skerbeck

Chairman

Skerbeck Family Carnival

Kathy Reynolds

Co Chair
Alger County Chamber (Pictured Rock Days)

Leesa Paul

Treasure
Cary and Paul Group

Susan Mesack

Secretary
Swartz Creek Hometown Days

Lisa M. Thomas

Bay Rama, Inc.

Linda Kelly

Independent Festival Consultant

Henry Bowman

City of St. Clair Shores

Ken Mattei

Gaylord Alpine Festival

Peggy Anderson

Anderson Midways

Rod Beach

Beach Concessions

Jerry Preston

Back to the Bricks

Kat Paye

Natioanl Cherry Festival

Raul Alverez

Tamales Mary

Keith Stickley

The Great American Sideshow

Christy Trammell

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce

Sarah Spoonholtz

Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber

Amber Rood

Daily News/View Newspaper Group

Ryan Strayhorn

ACP Entertainment

Steph Castelein

Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

MFEA LIAISON

Paul Howland

Special Assistant
Travel Michigan

John Schut

Executive Director
Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions

HONORARY MEMBERS

Chris Holman

CEO
Michigan Business Network

Dave Lorenz

Vice President
Travel Michigan

John Schut

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

Membership, Convention & Special Projects
[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.