Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council

About The Council

An Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council was convened in 2019 and representatives continue to support the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to connect and align relevant programs of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state and regional entities such as workforce development, public health, transportation, and regional planning. The council members support the effort through partnerships, insights and recommendations regarding the sustainable growth of Michigan’s outdoor recreation sector; workforce needs, talent recruitment and retention; trends in outdoor recreation participation and economic impacts; and the connection to healthy lifestyle benefits through access, education and the conservation and stewardship of public lands, trails, and parks.

Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council Members represent the range of outdoor recreation businesses and supporting non-profit and governmental partners.

Current Council Co-Chairs:

• Suzanne Miller Allen, Director of Community Responsibility, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan’s largest health insurer
• Chris MacInnes, Co-Owner of Crystal Mountain, a ski and golf resort in Benzie County

The council also benefits from ex-officio members representing the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.