Losing a passport is now a thing of the past – at least when it comes to visiting certain Berrien County craft beverage establishments.
The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council is making stamp collecting along the Maker’s Trail even easier this year, announcing a new Makers Trail Flight Crew Passport now available on the Visit Southwest Michigan app.
This free app is downloadable from the App Store and Google Play, and offers rewards to users who visit more participating Berrien County wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries.
“For years, we handed out printed passports,” said Marcy Simpson, Tourist Council executive director. “But people would forget or misplace them. Now that we offer it on our Visit Southwest Michigan app, the Passport can be readily available on their phones, so collecting digital stamps is fast and easy.”
She added that the app includes a Trail map, so it’s easier to choose which Makers to see as visitors tour the area. The app automatically tallies each digital stamp.
“We have repeat Makers Trail Passport participants every year. Couples tell us they use collecting stamps as fun, stress-relieving dates. The prizes have become collector items, too,” Simpson said. “Whether you’ve done the Passport program for years or it’s your first time, using the new app is definitely the way to go this year!”
For those who want a printed version of the 2022-23 Makers Trail Passport, paper copies are available at participating hotels and Maker’s Trail the Southwest Michigan Travel Information Center in Benton Harbor or a printable version can be downloaded from the Makers Trail website, makerstrail.org/passport.
Here’s how to earn these rewards:
- Participants must be at least 21 years old.
- Download the free Visit Southwest Michigan app from the App Store or Google Play. On the app, you can access the 2022/2023 Makers Trail Flight Crew Passport. Or pick up a free paper copy of the Passport at the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council Information Center or by downloading it from the Makers Trail Passport website. Only one Passport will be accepted per person.
- Gather the Passport stamp codes at as many of the participating Makers Trail destinations as you can visit by May 31, 2023. A current map and list of makers are on the app or at swmichigan.org/makers. Or pick up a printed map, while supplies last, at the participating Makers Trail sites and hotels.
- Make a purchase at each destination. Before you leave, ask the server for either a stamp code to enter into the app or request a physical stamp for the paper Passport. Each location has a unique Passport stamp code or stamp. You may use only one stamp from each Maker toward earning your rewards. Duplicate stamps will not be counted.
- Continue collecting stamps. Once you earn 10 different stamps at each level, you’ve earned that reward. You can earn up to four rewards plus an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing on June 23, 2023.
- Once you complete all the reward levels you can by May 31, 2023, your app will automatically submit the levels you have completed to the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council. Paper Passport users must drop off or mail their Flight Crew Passport to the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council in Benton Harbor. All Passports must be validated by June 9, 2023, to be eligible for earned rewards. Printed Passports will not be returned.
For more information, call 269-925-6301, or visit swmichigan.org/passport.
