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4/22/2025 6:54:13 PM Member News
Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan honored with Sports ETA’s Event Partnership of the Year

The Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, has won the Sports ETA Event Partnership of the Year Award (under 500,000 population), for their groundbreaking work hosting the 2024 CHL Memorial Cup.
 
The $40 million impact and seven transformative legacy projects, including major venue upgrades, highlighted the power of cross-border collaboration in revitalizing Saginaw, Michigan.
 
“This partnership exemplified everything we look for in collaboration—vision, trust, and long-lasting community value,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “It's a model for cities of any size.”
 
“The 2024 Memorial Cup, hosted and led by the Saginaw Spirit Owners and their team, is a testament to the collaborative efforts of community leaders, sponsors, and hockey enthusiasts to bring this prestigious event to life in Saginaw, Michigan. The major partnership with Dow ensured an exceptional experience for the teams competing and for the fans who participated in the array of activities and events surrounding this esteemed event.” said Annette Rummel, CEO of Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan. “As the Host community, we remain proud to be listed among the communities that gave their all to create the best Memorial Cup ever and based all our decisions on how to honor those who serve, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can enjoy our freedom.   This legacy resonates in concert with the spirit of hockey and community pride and always will.” 
 
Dan MacKenzie, President of the Canadian Hockey League said, “On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League, we would like to congratulate Saginaw’s efforts around the 2024 Memorial Cup for being honored with the Sports ETA’s Event Partnership of the Year Award. As the first-ever Memorial Cup held in the state of Michigan in the tournament’s 106-year history, this event was a historic milestone for the entire Great Lakes Bay Region. The collaboration between the CHL, the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and local partners such as Go Great Lakes Bay was instrumental in ensuring that the tournament exceeded expectations and left a significant impact on the community that will be felt for many years to come.” 
 
 Sports ETA Member Awards are presented by Team Travel Source.
 
About Sports ETA:
As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners. Sports ETA is committed to the success of more than 700 member organizations and 2,400 sports event professionals. We promise to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities, and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry.  For more information, visit SportsETA.org
 
About Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan
Go Great Lakes Bay is a regional convention and visitors bureau focused on promoting tourism in the Great Lakes Bay region, a six-city area, representing Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties in Michigan. 

The Great Lakes Bay region offers over 5,000 hotel rooms and is easily accessible from Detroit, making it a convenient and appealing location for planners hosting meetings, sports events, group tours, or family gatherings. The area is rich in waterfronts, walkable downtowns, and unique local experiences, providing the perfect backdrop for events and leisure. Additionally, the region hosts significant sports events, including fishing tournaments and an LPGA invitational, showcasing its sporty charm and competitive spirit.