MI-TRALE networks, hands out maps at Wisconsin convention

ROTHSCHILD, Wis. — Representatives of MI-TRALE attended the 2013 Wisconsin All-Terain Vehicle Association’s annual meeting-convention April 19-21 in Rothschild.

President Don Helsel, secretary Linda Schulz and trail manager Mike Schulz manned the MI-TRALE booth. The group attended since it’s a member of the WATVA.

“There were more than 100 persons in attendance and we were very excited that we distributed almost that many MI-TRALE maps and some 50 membership applications,” Linda Schulz said.

“Our booth was heavily visited, and one of the first to visit was WATVA President Randy Harden,” Helsel said. “He was impressed with the multiple videos and slideshow MI-TRALE was showing of all our trails and the beautiful sights to be seen while riding them.”

“It was great to unfold our map to show people the interconnection of our trails and how to plan a wonderful ATV vacation trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” Mike Schulz said.

Representatives also attended informative workshops on promoting ATV tourism in Wisconsin and how those ideas could be applied in Michigan. “The most inspiring workshop we attended was called ‘Turn the Tide Tour Conference’ conducted by Greg Mumm, the executive director of the Blue Ribbon Coalition,” Helsel said. “Greg discussed how, during his countrywide motorcycle tour, he met with multiple grassroots organizations and discovered that many concerns regarding the responsible use of public lands for tourism were similar from state to state.”

“The benefit of having the ATV community visiting our state and traveling our trails is immense, and in support of that goal, we passed out almost all of the brochures we had regarding local U.P. businesses,” Linda Schulz said.

Following the convention, Helsel and Linda Schulz held a live web chat with WATVA members Adam Harden and Ryan Harden, discussing the many positives that the U.P. has to offer the ATV community.

The chat may be viewed at new.livestream.com/accounts/2583334/events/2005644.

“All in all, it was a very productive weekend,” Helsel said. “We enjoyed learning interesting and valuable information about our sport, as well as the good fellowship among our friends in the Wisconsin ATV community. We look forward to sharing all of this with our members at the next MI-TRALE meeting.”

MI-TRALE will next meet Monday at 7 p.m. (EDT) at Twilly’s in Bruce Crossing.

The public is always welcome.