Biography

 

Michele (Mickey) MacWilliams, started Metro Media Associates, Inc. (MMA), in 1981.  Her idea was to bring together a group of talented individuals to form a full-service agency without the full-service prices.  Now, with nearly 28 years of experience, Metro Media Associates has provided counsel on media strategy, issues and crisis management, special events, public affairs and strategic planning to clients in, food service, retail, association management, consumer goods and manufacturing industries.

 

A Central Michigan University alumna, Mickey began her career in the advertising department of Grosse Pointe Quality Foods, later becoming the marketing director for Sugar Loaf Resort in Cedar, Michigan. Subsequently, she joined a public relations firm taking on association and food service clients.

 

Over the years MMA has served a wide assortment of clients including: Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, Michigan Chefs de Cuisine, The Golden Mushroom, HDS Services, Borrego Springs RV and Mobil Home Park, Orthodontic Specialists, Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers, Traverse City Area Ski Council, Market Square and Market Fresh stores, Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association, and many, many more.

 

While establishing and growing her public relations firm, Mickey has continued to expand her own practice to encompass a wide range of ongoing communications consulting.  In addition to operating MMA, Mickey has also held the following positions:

 

Executive Director of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA), the trade association for the ski and snowboard industry in Michigan.  Mickey and her staff are responsible for all of MSIA’s programs, events, government affairs and activities.  She has worked with the association since its inception in 1991.

 

Vice President of Communications for the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers.  Responsibilities included producing the association’s events, publishing the AFPD Food & Petroleum Report – a monthly trade magazine and coordinating all public relations efforts. The Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers is the voice of the food, beverage and fuel industries in Michigan and Ohio.  Representing nearly 4,000 retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers since 1910, AFPD’s executive offices are in Farmington Hills, Michigan with branch offices in Lansing and Dublin, Ohio.  Mickey began working with AFPD in 1994.

 

The Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association (MLTA), the trade association for the hotel, motel and resort industry in Michigan.  Mickey and her staff were responsible for publishing a comprehensive, annual lodging directory.

 

In addition, Mickey is the immediate past president for the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM).  She is a registered lobbyist and a former board member of the Clarkston Foundation.