Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis to the Michigan Travel Commission.

Curtis will represent the private sector of the travel, tourism and recreation industry for a term expiring in 2011.

While serving on the commission, Curtis will be responsible for assisting Travel Michigan in developing a comprehensive, long-range vision for tourism for the state. Travel Michigan is an agency housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that promotes tourism within the State of Michigan.

Curtis’ appointment to the Michigan Travel Commission comes on the heels of the speedway announcing its economic impact study in October. The study, conducted by economist Gary Wolfram, Ph.D., showed MIS generates more than $400 million per year for the state’s economy – an equivalent that exceeds the NFL’s Super Bowl.

“I’m very excited about being appointed to the Michigan Travel Commission,” Curtis said. “Events at MIS generate a great deal of economic impact for the state in the form of travel and tourism dollars. So, as we continue to look at ways to enhance and grow MIS through tourism we will also look at the economic impact opportunities for the state.”

“Roger Curtis is an innovative leader who believes deeply in Michigan’s tourism gems,” Megan Brown, communications representative for Granholm said. “He has helped Michigan International Speedway become a significant destination for Michiganders and out-of-state residents alike. MIS is a great Michigan tourist destination, has tremendous fan appeal and is a great asset to Michigan’s economy.”

Curtis currently works with regional tourism groups in Lenawee and Jackson counties to find different ways to generate more tourism dollars for the region by utilizing MIS. Being appointed to the Michigan Travel Commission has now taken that to the state level.

“We are always looking at ways to use MIS to generate more travel dollars for the local and regional areas surrounding the speedway, which include Lenawee and Jackson counties, along with the South Central Michigan area,” Curtis said. “I will not only continue to focus on these key areas, which support the track locally, but also on what MIS can do for the state as a whole.”

Sports fans who are interested in attending a race at Michigan International Speedway this summer can purchase tickets for the 2008 season, which include the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in June and August, on Saturday, Dec. 15 by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or by visiting MISpeedway.com.