Visualize this:
You fly into DTW, Northwest’s largest hub. The airport has more than 100 nonstop national and international flights. It was recently rated second nationally in passenger satisfaction by J.D. Power & Associations. If you’re not flying Northwest Airlines, Smith terminal is brand new, too.
You get your bags, and you see the banner, “AAJA: Driving Diversity.” You are Michigan’s honored guest.
You take a shuttle or cab to your luxury hotel, with is either new, or renovated.
As you drive in, you see more AAJA banners lining the streets. Maybe the hotel you’re staying at is the Marriott at the Renassiance Center – GM’s World Headquarters, which is on the river. You walk in and see the cars, and restaurants, shops, and movie theater. It’s like a little city.
Or maybe you’re staying at one of the casino hotels. Or maybe it’s the new Westin.
You go to the opening reception. Perhaps, it’s at the new Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.
As a journalist, you interact with some of the best the industry has to offer. You learn new skills. You make contacts in the oldest and most concentrated Arab American community in the United States. You reconnect with your friends. You make new ones. You realize you are the future of journalism.
Maybe you interview auto executives for a business story, too. Or do a travel piece. Or one on the arts scene.
During a break, you see the city.
You hop on the People Mover, an elevated train.
The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News is nearby. So are television stations.
One stop on the People Mover, downtown's public transportation, is Comerica Park, where you can catch a Detroit Tigers ball game.
You stroll the Riverwalk – and check out Canada.
You take a cruise on the Detroit River. Tour an auto factory. You see the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is newly renovated; the Motown Museum; the African American Museum, the Detroit Zoo.
Any of these would make good gala banquet site, too.
And when you leave Michigan, you do so having experienced the best journalism has to offer – and the city that makes America go.
