What's with the Pineapple?

Author: Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association

Welcome to Whats with the Pineapple? A podcast about whats happening in Michigans hospitality industry delivered directly through your speakers brought to you by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. We know that pineapples dont grow in Michigan, but just trust us. Throughout this podcast, the MRLA will share a deeper discussion with you about current events, major headlines and trends, updates on what's happening at the Capitol in Lansing and Washington D.C., as well as welcome a new interview to each episode.
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Language: en

Genres: Arts, Business, Entrepreneurship, Food

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

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Ep. 53 - Give the Gift of Travel
Tuesday, 23 December, 2025

It's a Christmas miracle – another episode before year's end, thanks to producer Joe getting married and leaving Emily to discover he makes them sound way better than they actually are. After Crown and Core debuts Michigan's first "outdoor hotel" (it's a campground with aspirations) and This Week in Michigan History reveals the 1948 Supreme Court ban on female bartenders lasted until 1976, Pure Michigan's Kelly Wolgamott joins to celebrate the campaign's 20th anniversary. Kelly explains navigating budget cuts from $30 million to $17 million while maintaining Fast Company "Brands That Matter" status, promotes Michigan's ranking as second nationally with 40+ ski areas, and champions winter tourism from the I-500 to frozen Tahquamenon Falls. The conversation covers supporting local businesses through travel gift cards, developing a strategic plan with 600+ industry stakeholders, and why redirecting online purchases to Michigan businesses could create 12,000 jobs. Between Grand Rapids' first mocktail bar (Emily predicted this nine years ago), record holiday travel with 122 million Americans road-tripping, and Kelly casually mentioning she swam the Mackinac Straits in three-foot waves, this episode delivers exactly what the title promises.