(openPR) - Farmington Hills, Mich. (February 15, 2010) – The Made in Michigan Movement today announced plans for The Michigan Experience, Michigan’s first truly statewide celebration of Michigan-made products and services. The event will take place October 16 and 17, 2010 at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich. Designed to provide a boost to the Michigan economy, the event will be a two-day celebration of the wide variety of high quality consumer products, services and foods produced by companies across all Michigan geographies.

“With the termination of the Michigan State Fair and the countless blows this state has endured, Michigan has a void for a unifying, uplifting event for all to embrace,” said Made in Michigan Movement Founder and CEO Neil Yaremchuk. “Michigan Experience is more than an expo. It’s a celebration of everything this state has to offer and a look forward to the bright future we can have ahead.”

Yaremchuk expects at least 10,000 consumer attendees to visit The Michigan Experience and is planning for the participation of approximately 300 businesses, small and large, from across the state. Consumers will have the opportunity to purchase products from many of the participating businesses. The celebration will be the keystone annual event of the Made in Michigan Movement. Information on sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities is available at www.madeinmichiganmovement.com or by calling (734) 677-0503.

“Michiganders from Grand Rapids to the Upper Peninsula to Metro Detroit to Lansing and Flint are telling me they want to support the Michigan economy and they want to purchase more from Michigan companies,” Yaremchuk said. “The demand is there. The Michigan business community now needs a rallying point to connect with consumers and show off the great things produced right here.”

Michigan companies signing early commitments to participate range from the Detroit-based manufacturer of the Talegator pickup truck sports tailgating accessory (www.thetalegator.com) to Selestial Soap (www.selestialsoap.com), a Traverse City, Mich.-based maker of natural cleaning products.

“I know I make truly 100 percent pure and natural cleaning products, and I’m proud that I make them in Michigan, but as a small business with a tight budget, it’s tough to gain exposure,” said Selestial Soap founder Ruth Smith. “The Michigan Experience is going to help me get my Michigan-made products in front of thousands of people who want to buy Michigan-made products.”

Preliminary plans for The Michigan Experience also call for entertainment from some of the state’s most talented performers, displays of artwork from Michigan’s creative community and a preview night supporting multiple Michigan charities. Additional details will be announced as they are finalized.

The Made in Michigan movement counts more than 14,000 members in its growing Web community, operates a popular online Michigan business portal at www.madeinmichiganmovement.com and produces periodic gift guides featuring Michigan-made products.

Follow the organization on Twitter at www.twitter.com/madeinmich or search “Made in Michigan Movement” on Facebook.

About the Made in Michigan Movement
The Made in Michigan Movement is an action-oriented grassroots network of businesses producing high quality goods and services in the state of Michigan and consumers who feel purchasing from those companies is in the best interest of the state’s economic future. With more than 14,000 members, the organization’s motto for Michigan consumers is “Earn it here. Spend it here. Keep it here!”

For additional information on the Made in Michigan Movement, visit www.madeinmichiganmovement.com or contact Neil Yaremchuk at madeinmichiganinfo@gmail.com.

Tanner Friedman
Strategic Communications
32255 Northwestern Highway, Suite 298
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Press contact: Zak Walsh
E-mail: zwalsh@tannerfriedman.com
phone: (248) 626 0006