"Local Businesswoman Panelist in New York"

June 1, 2002 - Novi. When her family and company moved to S.E. Michigan in 1986, the family squeezed into the guest room of a friend, and the company squeezed into the former gift shop at the Sheraton hotel in Novi. In exchange for rent, Izumi Suzuki served as Sheraton's director of Japan relations. Slowly but steadily, Suzuki's travel and interpreting business has grown from these humble beginnings.

Recently, California producers called on Michigan-based Suzuki to serve as a travel expert in New York City. The New York tourism service training workshop, dubbed "doing more with less," is being organized by shop America summit (415)554-0282, for tourism vendors and convention bureau managers throughout north America. There is a special interest in the demanding and dynamic Japanese market.

"We know the Japanese are a special clientele," says Suzuki. "They are accustomed to and expect excellent service, high value at a reasonable price, not basic value at