07/26/2007

Sunset soiree closes out event

By Vanessa McCray

vmccray@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Barefoot dancing on the shores of Lake Michigan closed out the National Governors Association meeting.

Festivities Sunday night at Old Mission Peninsula wineries and on a beach served as the exclamation mark at the end of the four-day event that brought governors from about 35 states to Traverse City. The conference officially wrapped up Monday, as a shrinking crowd showed up for a final business session.

Acme's Grand Traverse Resort & Spa was besieged with more than 1,200 participants, including governors' families, aides, media and lobbyists. By day, the governors attended forums on economic growth, health care, Internet safety and climate change. By night, attendees were feted at parties filled with food and music.

"This could not have gone better in terms of the hospitality and the reception that we've received,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, named NGA chairman on the event's last day.

Sunday's soiree was a highlight of a weekend full of work for volunteer coordinator Rhonda Estes. She joined others to view a "gorgeous panoramic” sunset after stopping in at wineries. The beach cookout was lit with tiki torches and accompanied by renditions of Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett tunes.

"Dancing barefoot in the sand — there was a lot of that going on,” Estes said.

There likely was some business talk amongst revelers, "but for the most part, it was a social event,” she said. The NGA prohibited media and the public from attending the celebration on Old Mission.

The entire conference, about two years in the planning, was "extremely successful,” said Jodi Omear, NGA spokeswoman. Volunteers were friendly, the venue was secure and governors were able to share what works best in their states, she said.

"Success for us is when governors have a chance to discuss all of those issues, but they also get to enjoy and experience the state and see what Michigan has,” she said.

Capt. Tim Rod, Seventh District Commander for the Michigan State Police, said security efforts went "smoothly.” A state police trooper was assigned to each governor and accompanied the state chiefs everywhere, Rod said.

One reason was because a governor's own traveling security team does not have the authority to make an arrest in Michigan. But state troopers also were more familiar with the area. About 160 state troopers were assigned to cover round-the-clock shifts.

Federal authorities who assisted with guarding the various venues included the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Security costs, estimated to cost about $500,000, will be repaid through private donations raised by a Michigan host committee.

"I think that having the event in Traverse City is a huge coup for our area, especially with regards to tourism,” said state Rep. Howard Walker.

The Traverse City Republican was among the roughly 200 volunteers who helped out during the conference. He also hosted a Republican Governors Association fundraiser at his home. Democrats held a similar gathering at the Boathouse Restaurant.

Corporate sponsors and lobbyists who paid millions of dollars to access the event didn't detract from the work governors accomplished, Walker said.

"I have to believe that it was legitimate working time for people that were there,” he said.

Omear said the NGA has not sorted its guest list to find out how many were lobbyists or from corporations. Participants from the business sector could register for the conference for a fee of $1,095.

Lobbyists who "have an interest” in the topics discussed at the conference are a "typical component” of the annual meetings, she said.

Estes praised the volunteers who chipped in, and tried to adjust to her normal life after months of preparation and long days during the conference.

"It was a fabulous experience,” she said.