Nicole is saving the world one cat at a time. When she isn’t fostering kittens from the local animal shelter, or working on social media campaigns for the Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, she is riding her bike along the City of Alpena’s 18.5 mile Bi-Path, sipping Michigan wine & cider at local restaurants, and testing the latest in board game entertainment with friends and family.
Nicole has been in marketing for over 15 years now and enjoys staying up to date on the latest social media trends.
- Social Media Program
- Marketing Co-Op Program
- Blog Content Creation
- E Newsletter
- Marketing Campaign Support
- Website Content Monitoring
Education:
- Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University, majoring in Marketing summa cum laude
- Grand Valley State University certification in Digital Marketing Science
- Associate’s of Science Degree from Alpena Community College with a concentration in pre-veterinary studies
- Coursework completed at Baker College of Flint for Veterinary Technician
- High school diploma – Alpena High School
Volunteer Work:
- Vice President of Huron Humane Society Board of Directors (present)
Favorite way to drink coffee: Black
Career Highlights:
Nicole was instrumental in launching the CVB’s Marketing Co-Op Program. This program offers local tourism-based businesses a method to market their message to the audience of potential visitors the CVB is creating. Through her diligent work to communicate the value of this program to local businesses, Nicole has almost single-handedly grown the program by 44% since its launch.
Unique Experience:
Nicole and her boyfriend Stacy VanOrman (filmmaker and author) operated Dark Minds Haunted Attractions and managed the world’s second-longest haunted walk-thru for more than 10 years before retiring the program in 2015. Nicole managed marketing and social media outreach for the haunt, organized actors and details for the operation, and also scared her future boss to death years before coming to work for the CVB.
Favorite holiday: Halloween
Why do you like working in the tourism industry?
My love of the tourism industry stems from my passion to travel. I believe that it is important to experience as much of this world as we possibly can in the short amount of time we are here. When I am not traveling, working to promote the beauty of my own hometown fills my heart. Working in this industry, I get to communicate with my kind of people – the travelers, explorers, adventurers – and doing what you love with the people in your team is the most rewarding.
What do you love about Northeast Michigan?
What I love the most about Northeast Michigan is being on the coast of Lake Huron and our 4 seasons. I thrive on the variety of temperatures (a great excuse for seasonal shopping trips) and the change in scenery every 4 months. Fall and winter are my favorite, an unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I do love summer activities. You’ll catch me outside during every season.
In summer I love going out on our wave runners, going to events, and riding my cruiser e-bike complete with wicker basket & bell (wave or say hi, if you see me!). In fall my favorite thing to do is take walks around the trails when the leaves are falling or hit up Knaebe’s apple farm for some fresh cider and donuts. In the winter I spend a lot of time at home reading books, going out to eat at local restaurants, and playing with my four cats – Nori, Thora, Freja, and Sergeant Pepper. I am a cat lady. Springtime is when I celebrate my birthday and excitedly watch nature bloom after a long winter sleep.
I’ve lived in Alpena my whole life and as a native, I’ve been lucky enough to watch this community grow firsthand year after year. I’m thankful I get to promote, explore, and live in such a tight-knit community.
420 N. 2nd Ave. Alpena, MI 49707
989-340-2288 