Lansing is a 90-minute drive from 90% of Michigan’s population, making it easily accessible for attendees and speakers.
MIDWESTERN HOSPITALITY
Our 500+ Certified Tourism Ambassadors ensure a warm, welcoming experience for everyone.
AFFORDABLE & VERSATILE
With budget-friendly venues and dining options, Lansing o ers unique spaces that suit any event.
A HUB OF EXPERTS
Tap into Lansing's network of industry leaders from Michigan State University and state government.
Planners navigate uncertainty after a whirlwhind start to the year
6 Meeting Notes
Take meetings from drab to fab with the help of these products, places, and inspiring ideas 10 Destination
Flint goes full throttle with easy-to-access meeting facilities in proximity to myriad activities 16 Venue Report
Historic venues add a touch of elegance to gatherings 22 Trend Report
Immerse your group in teambuilding activities infused with regional culture
34 Industry Update
Discover the latest updates and Michigan news
38 Snapshots
This year’s Big Events, Big Impact conference was all about customer service excellence
40 People Profile
Nicole E. Lakatos was on the ground floor of the historic Book Tower reopening and now leads the events charge
Convenience and affordability attract events to the outer environs
On the Cover Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
PHOTO COURTESY GRAND HOTEL
Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island 16
Feature // Hit the ’Burbs BY KATHY GIBBONS
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park near Grand Rapids
THAN GOALS Spark MORE
Ignite their enthusiasm. Whether it’s a dynamic executive team, a cohort of ambitious trainees, or a group seeking fresh inspiration, Southwest Michigan recharges and reconnects. Meet where daylight streams in and meals are infused with locally harvested flavors. Then paddle Lake Michigan-bound rivers, shop in resort towns or tour the Napa Valley of the Midwest. Feel energized and refreshed in Southwest Michigan.
BENTON HARBOR • SAINT JOSEPH
More Ups Than Downs
meetingsmags.com/michigan meetingsmags
» SO, WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Before putting this issue together, I reached out to the magazine’s editorial advisory board to find out the answers to two specific questions: What industry trends are you most heartened about, and are there any that pose concern? Several say the industry’s commitment to inclusivity stands out. “It ranges from quiet rooms at events, to offering mocktails at bars, to making sure advertisements read well for neurodivergent attendees,” says Mandi VanOoteghem, director of meetings and conferences at Saginaw’s Go Great Lakes Bay.
David Buckenberger, senior vice president of business develeopment at Choose Lansing, is excited that venues and attractions are eagerly embracing creativity for meetings and exceeding customer expectations. And Lindsay Krause, chief operating officer at Special D Events in Detroit, is thrilled to see more experiential and immersive events. “Both planners and venues are getting more creative with incorporating local cultures, outdoor spaces, and hands-on experiences outside of the ballroom,” Krause says.
Group Sales Director Mary Chris Hotchkiss at the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau has noticed growing interest in Michigan as a destination, fueled in part by the cohesiveness of the industry statewide. She says, “I often hear from planners at the bigger trade shows how impressed they are with how we all get along.”
On the downside, several people cited staffing issues as an ongoing challenge. “It feels like the industry was just starting to recover from the [height of the] pandemic with staffing issues, but now with the changes in state laws around minimum wage and sick-day benefits, companies are reconsidering business models and are not able to continue staffing to proper levels,” says Jennifer Miller, manager of domestic tourism at Visit Detroit. She notes anxiety in the industry is increasing due to such struggles, coupled with economic uncertainty.
Public Relations Manager Mike Kent at Traverse City Tourism also cites economic issues as a concern. And Hotchkiss notes that rising food and audiovisual costs are making it tough for hotels, venues, and meeting planners alike. But if it’s not one thing, it will be another, right? Luckily, from what I have seen, regardless of the challenge, Michigan’s event professionals are up to the task.
KATHY GIBBONS Editor kgibbons@greenspring.com
meetingsmags.com/michigan
PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES LAURIE BURGER 586-344-6637 | LBURGER@GREENSPRING.COM
GROUP EDITOR KATELYN BLOOMQUIST
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TODD R. BERGER
EDITOR KATHY GIBBONS
SENIOR EDITOR AMANDA CHRISTENSEN
MANAGING EDITOR LINDEN M. BAYLISS
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Jennifer Berkemeier, Huntington Place | David Buckenberger, Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau | Kim Corcoran, Destination Michigan/Meetings Michigan | Larisa Draves, Michigan Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus | Susan Estler, Travel Marquette | Linda Hoath, Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau | Mary Chris Hotchkiss, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau | Mike Kent, Traverse City Tourism | Lindsay Krause, Special D Events | Mary Manier, Experience Grand Rapids | Jennifer Miller, Visit Detroit | Julie Oatman, Crystal Mountain | Kristy Poore, Destination Ann Arbor | Mandi VanOoteghem, Go Great Lakes Bay
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ART DIRECTORS MICAH EDEL, TONY WAGNER
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON
ADVERTISING COORDINATORS SYDNEY KELL, ELLIANNA RADOVICH
SPONSORSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS + EVENT SPECIALIST ELISABETH WULF
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AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER CINDY FISH
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South Haven is a treasured shoreline host city BY DIANNA
STAMPFLER
South Haven—aka, the Blueberry Capital of the World—has been attracting groups for generations. Set in the heart of Michigan’s fruit belt, the port city features a thriving downtown, two city beaches, a historic pier and lighthouse, boatloads of recreational activities, and some of the most stunning sunsets in the state.
VIBE: As Jennifer Sistrunk, executive director of the South Haven/Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau describes it, South Haven offers memorable meeting experiences in which business and relaxation go hand in hand. “Our picturesque Lake Michigan setting makes every event feel like a retreat,” she says. “Our walkable downtown allows attendees to seamlessly transition from meetings to lakeside leisure—whether it’s exploring charming shops, dining at area restaurants, or unwinding on the beach—all without ever needing a car.”
TRANSPORTATION: Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is 62 miles away and provides nonstop routes from 36 cities, and South Haven also is easily reachable by car via Interstate 196. Locally owned Moveportz operates private car and shuttle services for getting around the city.
HOTELS: The charming English Tea Room inside Heart of the Haven Retreat Lodge seats 20 for meetings and is within a walkable distance of downtown. Perched overlooking Lake Michigan, the 52 room Lake Bluff Inn & Suites includes an outdoor venue for up to 40. Situated on a 30 acre estate with 1,000 feet of private beach north of downtown, Sleepy Hollow Beach Resort has one to four bedroom cottages and condos, as well as gathering space for nearly 100. For a taste of the outdoors, glamping (luxury camping) is offered at DayDreamer Domes, The Fields of Michigan, and Off Map Glamping.
VENUES: The recently rebuilt Michigan Maritime Museum on the banks of the Black River features several indoor and outdoor spaces, while South Haven Center for the Arts is a distinctive backdrop for small receptions. Black River Barn South Haven is set on a picturesque 5 acres, with a main hall for up to 350 attendees, along with outdoor spaces
RESTAURANTS: Sistrunk recommends HawksHead Golf’s restaurant, which offers semiprivate dining areas for groups from 12 to 60, along with an outdoor concrete pad for gatherings of up to 300 under a tent. Several area restaurants, including Phoenix Street on Broadway, Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey, and Kitchen Tribes, provide catering for events.
MUST-SEES & -DOS: Friends Good Will, a replica of a 19thcentury merchant sailboat, accommodates 28 for ventures on Lake Michigan. Or, take a cruise on the Sun Setter, an ex U.S. Navy utility launch boat that hosts 45 minute scenic day cruises and 75 minute sunset excursions. For kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and floating mat rentals, the SoHa Surf Shop accommodates. Those wanting to stretch their legs can bike or hike the Kal Haven Trail between South Haven and Kalamazoo. Many craft beverage producers operate in the region, including Michigan’s oldest winery—St. Julian Winery—which is a stone’s throw from Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw. southhaven.org
PHOTOS
South Haven/Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau
R.B. Annis Gallery at Michigan Maritime Museum; Left: Lake Michigan and Black River waterfronts; Below: Black River Barn South Haven
Two Roles, One Goal
Justin Gifford doubles down, helming Visit Lenawee and Explore Monroe BY
Justin Gifford holds dual roles as the executive director of both Visit Lenawee and Explore Monroe. In 2023, he expanded his leadership from Visit Lenawee and took on the same role at nearby Explore Monroe, with the goal of fostering collaboration and positioning Southeast Michigan as a unified destination. He shared some insights with Michigan Meetings + Events regarding the strategy behind the joint venture.
M+E: Can you talk about the counties’ meeting spaces?
JG: When it comes to larger meeting spaces for conventions or presentations, Monroe is currently one step ahead. The Event Center at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park is a key venue we actively promote. We’re also excited to be in discussions about bringing the meeting spaces back at Cabela’s [in Dundee] this year.
M+E: How does collaboration affect promotions and marketing?
JG: We have seen significant time savings and more streamlined campaign development in our promotional efforts. Our seasonal campaigns align with Pure Michigan, allowing us to showcase similar assets in both Lenawee and Monroe counties—from arts and culture to historical landmarks and lake life. The unified approach helps us deliver consistent messaging across the region.
ALL THINGS MOCKTAILS
Frenchtown Township Community and Event Center also is making waves. There has been a major investment in a singlefloor, 20,000-square-foot facility, and we will be working to attract meetings, small expos, and events once it’s ready. Plus, with several new hotels opening near Interstate 75, Monroe is well-positioned to handle increased visitor demand.
Over in Lenawee County, we have built strong partnerships with Adrian College and Siena Heights University to promote their versatile meeting spaces. Adrian College has a state-of-the-art facility used
» IN GRAND RAPIDS, the Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton, is offering nonalcoholic drinks for guests and event attendees, says Food and Beverage Director Ryan Schmied. “Over the past two years, the hotel has seen a significant increase in requests for mocktails, particularly from younger guests who are choosing healthier, alcohol-free lifestyles,” he says. Nonalcoholic beverages now account for about 15% of all beverage sales at the hotel. Each of its bars and restaurants features a minimum of two mocktails and two nonalcoholic beers, as well as nonalcoholic wines. Planners can work with the hotel’s bartenders and mixologists to create mocktails tailored to their events and attendees. –Kathy Gibbons
KATHY GIBBONS
by the rowing team, and when it’s not in use for training, it is available for meetings and events with a breathtaking view. The Adrian Armory Event Center, which recently underwent renovations, is perfect for smaller meetings and conferences. We’re also collaborating with area hotels, including the newly introduced Hampton Inn & Suites Adrian, to provide even more venue options for event planners.
M+E: What’s the advantage of taking a regional approach?
JG: We have seen a noticeable uptick in meeting space requests, and we are working closely with all of our partners to capitalize on regional demand. During busy seasons—like football weekends at the University of Michigan—hotel availability in Ann Arbor can be tight. We’re positioning both Lenawee and Monroe counties as ideal alternatives for planners hosting 100- to 200-person meetings and conferences when the capacity elsewhere in the state is limited. The infrastructure is in place, and we’re ready to establish these exciting partnerships.
Firing on All Cylinders
A vibrant downtown and thriving surrounding towns make Flint an ideal meeting destination BY
» FLINT HAS LONG BEEN known as “Vehicle City,” dating back to when it led the world in manufacturing horse-drawn carriages at the turn of the 20th century. The city went on to be an automobilemanufacturing hub as the birthplace of General Motors, the location of the first Chevrolet factory, and home to Buick until it ceased production in the city in 1999. Today, General Motors continues to have a significant presence in Flint, and the former Buick City manufacturing complex is being redeveloped into the Flint Commerce Center industrial park to generate a new life for the site.
Flint also gained attention due to a water crisis that began 10 years ago when the city’s municipal water source was switched to the Flint River, which caused
KATHY GIBBONS
corrosion to pipes without proper treatment and led to contaminated water for residents. The city has since switched to a clean water source and implemented advanced water treatment processes to provide both residents and businesses— including venues—with clean water.
But nothing is slowing down the can-do spirit of Flint: Michigan’s 12th-largest city is moving forward in leaps and bounds. There’s a thriving downtown with meeting spaces, hotels, stores, and restaurants. Adjacent areas and communities have additional lodging and conference spaces, interesting places to gather, and a multitude of attractions, all of which make the greater Flint area a compelling destination for planners looking for a meetingsfriendly mecca in central Michigan.
THE HUB IN THE WHEEL
Courtney Irish, director of sales at Explore Flint & Genesee, says Flint delivers the best with its urban downtown surrounded by smaller communities and wide-open spaces. She also notes it’s a central location with easy access for meeting-goers, located right off Interstate 75, about an hour north of Detroit. It is served by Bishop International Airport— with Allegiant Air, United Airlines, and American Airlines— as well as by Amtrak.
“You can be in downtown Flint going out to restaurants and bars and having a great time, and 10 minutes away, you can be in the middle of nature,” Irish says. Drive through downtown Flint, and you will see busy restaurants and shops lining the streets. Sitting prominent is University of Michigan–Flint’s Riverfront Conference Center, a jewel among the meeting and event spaces the university offers across its downtown campus.
The Riverfront Conference Center is the largest conference center in Genesee County. As the center’s Conferences and Events Sales Manager Launa Collins notes, “We’re a landmark.” Formerly a hotel, it was donated to the university in 2016 and underwent a $1 million renovation in 2021. “Half of the building is a conference center, and the other half is the Riverfront Residence Hall—we have several floors for [students,] as well as for conference attendees,” Collins explains.
The center accommodates gatherings of up to 900 for meetings, expos, and trade shows with more than 24,000 square feet, Collins says. Other university meeting facilities include the historic Northbank Center with its Grand Ballroom, Harding Mott University Center, and smaller spaces across campus.
Within walking distance of the conference center is the Hilton Garden Inn Flint Downtown, located in a century-old building that once housed the Genesee County Savings Bank. After sitting empty for a while, the building opened as a hotel in 2020 following a $36.5 million renovation.
Charity gala at the Flint Farmers Market
Continued from page 10
It offers 101 guest rooms and five meeting rooms with 3,130 square feet of event space, along with its Sauce Italian American Kitchen eatery and seasonal rooftop bar. Nearby, Holiday Inn Express Flint–Campus Area by IHG features 120 guest rooms and space for small gatherings.
These venues are all within proximity of the Capitol Theatre and the Flint Cultural Center Campus, the latter of which includes the Sloan Museum of Discovery and Longway Planetarium, Flint Institute of Arts, and Flint Institute of Music Whiting Auditorium. All offer meeting spaces.
The Flint Farmers Market is another popular option for meetings and off-site outings for conference attendees. The market operates year-round with more than 50 vendors indoors, including restaurants serving cuisines that range from Venezuelan and barbecue to vegetarian. Its full-service rooftop bar, Market Tap, also supports on-site gatherings.
“We have quite a few conferences that book in the downtown area, and most
inquire about a separate cocktail reception space for their attendees to enjoy downtown Flint, as well as experience multiple year-round vendors that love to cater in-house events with their market-day specialties,” says Flint Farmers Market Events Manager Janell Baumgart.
THE OUTER CIRCLE
Flint also is fortunate to have a few other hubs in its outer ring for meeting planners to choose from. Hill Road in the Grand Blanc area features the newly rebranded hotel Wyndham Flint MI/Grand Blanc/ Bishop Airport/Conference Ctr, which reopened with conference space, a restaurant, and bar, says the hotel’s Sales Coordinator Brandi Roberts. “We have nine [event] rooms, plus our atrium, and can do events for up to 1,000 people,” Roberts says. “We have an on-site banquet facility and 145 guest rooms [remodeled last year].”
Other lodging and venue options in the Hill Road area are Hampton Inn and Suites Flint/Grand Blanc, Hyatt Place Flint/
Grand Blanc, Best Western Plus Flint Airport Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites Grand Blanc/Flint, Courtyard Flint Grand Blanc, and Residence Inn Flint Grand Blanc. “All of those hotels contain small meeting facilities,” Irish says.
Also in Grand Blanc, the Holly Road area boasts the Genesys Conference & Banquet Center, which accommodates up to 600 attendees in a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. Within proximity are the Fairfield Inn & Suites Flint Grand Blanc, Home2 Suites by Hilton Grand Blanc Flint, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Blanc by IHG, and Quality Inn Grand Blanc–Flint South. All offer lodging, and a few provide smaller meeting spaces.
In nearby Fenton, Fenton Winery & Brewery/Dream Machine Distillery has a banquet venue that accommodates up to 280 people and features an outdoor patio and fireplace. Its intimate Barrel Room holds up to 50 attendees, and the back of the taproom is available on a limited basis for groups of up to 60 people.
Clockwise from above left: Sloan Museum of Discovery exhibit; Fenton Winery & Brewery/Dream Machine Distillery; University of Michigan–Flint’s Riverfront Conference Center
OUT & ABOUT
Outside of meetings, the Flint area brims with opportunities for meeting groups looking to break out and enjoy regional flavors and experiences. In Flint, many love Sauce Italian American Kitchen for its food, craft cocktails, and extensive wine list. Other favorites include Cork on Saginaw, The Torch Bar & Grill, and Soggy Bottom Bar. Or, planners and attendees might make the 20-minute drive to Fenton to try The Laundry, The
Vault Downtown, Union Joints’ Fenton Fire Hall, and Crust, a bakery known for having its cinnamon rolls featured in the Williams Sonoma catalog.
For group activities, Flint offers up the works. The Machine Shop Concert Lounge in Flint hosts live entertainment, including comedy, while the city’s Spymaker Escape Rooms and Spymaker Axe Throwing in nearby Burton present team-building experiences. Many groups schedule outings to living history
museum Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad. “It’s like the Greenfield Village of Genesee County, with historic buildings from the turn of the last century,” Irish says, adding that it also has meeting space. Planners might consider riding the site’s Huckleberry Railroad, which follows a 40-minute route and is pulled by historic locomotive engines.
In Clio, Auto City Speedway welcomes corporate outings and rents out the entire track when available. Extreme Indoor Kart Racing amps up small groups with gokarts and an arcade, and also offers full facility rentals. “There are plenty of things to do, from kayaking to hiking to snowshoeing in the winter,” Irish says.
In downtown Flint, Chevy Commons County Park is transitioning to become part of a new state park as the riverfront itself is revamped. “People are always surprised by how well our downtown is doing—by the number of people who live downtown, and the number of students who live and play down here,” Irish says. “You have to keep going and growing—and that’s what Flint has done.”
exploreflintandgenesee.org
Continued from page 12
Auto City Speedway in Clio; Below, from left: Doughnut stack from Crust in Fenton; Cork on Saginaw in Flint
Storied Ambience
Take attendees back in time and host at historic venues BY KATHY
» THERE’S SOMETHING INTRIGUING about meeting at a property with a bit of history attached to it—where attendees are surrounded by vintage architecture, can hear tales of storied guests or colorful pasts, and might glimpse relics of times gone by. In Michigan, there are plenty of venues that fall into this category.
Some—like The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit and Book Tower in downtown Detroit, for example—have been renovated and restored. Both are iconic properties on the skyline and in the city’s history, and they each offer memorable settings for meetings while providing the amenities meeting planners seek, such as the latest technology and stylish decor. Other properties, like The Landmark Inn Marquette, anchor smaller downtowns and remain at the center of it all as they were when built. There also is Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, with its long, majestic front porch—which visitors approaching the harbor can’t miss.
Other stand-alone spaces also recall the grandeur of an earlier time while providing spacious facilities for meetings and events. In the Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, which is southwest of Calumet, is a wilderness getaway with 24 historic and rustic cabins along with 6,000 square feet of
meeting space. On the National Register of Historic Places, it pro vides access to the DarkSky International-designated Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, a nature sanctuary, an outdoor-activity haven, education center, and two restaurants.
Built in the 1930s, The Landmark Inn Marquette was origi nally the Hotel Northland, noted for hosting such luminaries as Amelia Earhart and comedy duo Abbott and Costello. Over the years, it fell into disrepair, closing in 1982. Ingrid Olson, current director of sales and marketing for the inn, says it was privately purchased and renovated in the 1990s. It’s now owned by Minneapolis’ Graves Hospitality, which has conducted additional renovations. With four primary event spaces—including the sixth-floor Sky Room providing a panoramic view of Lake Superior—The Landmark Inn accommodates groups of up to 100 seated or 225 for a standing reception, and features 66 well-appointed guest rooms.
Head about 2 1/2 hours southeast to St. Ignace and hop on a short ferry ride to get to Mackinac Island, home to the iconic Grand Hotel. The hotel’s Marketing Manager Elizabeth Graves notes the National Historic Landmark, which is marking its 139th
GIBBONS
From above: Headquarters of The Capitol Club space at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island; Italian Garden meeting room at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
WHERE INSPIRATION MEETS CELEBRATION.
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season this year, has hosted presidents, governors, and some of the world’s leading business executives. Its two-story, 16,000-squarefoot Victorian-themed Woodfill Conference Center is one of more than a dozen on-site venues that serves groups. Attendees meeting here also will find 388 guest rooms and picturesque outdoor spaces overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.
“The complete absence of cars on the island, replaced by horsedrawn carriages, creates an atmosphere of retreat and focus, allowing attendees to connect in a way that modern meeting spaces simply cannot replicate,” says Graves.
In Petoskey, the historic Stafford’s Bay View Inn and The Perry Hotel both offer event space and lodging. The Perry Hotel accommodates events year-round for as many as 250, depending on configuration, and has 75 guest rooms. Stafford’s Bay View Inn features 31 hotel rooms and three meeting spaces, the largest of which accommodates 130 people.
In Detroit, The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit celebrated its 100th anniversary last year after completing a $23 million makeover. “The hotel has a really nice blend of contemporary and historic spaces,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Scott Stinebaugh. “We have a new ballroom on the first floor, [and] the Woodward Ballroom [on the second floor]. Then the Venetian Ballroom, the Crystal Ballroom, and Italian Garden on the fourth floor are all original spaces,” he continues. “When we were restoring the hotel prior to reopening in 2008, we re-created those spaces to look like they did in the 1920s, but now completely new.” The property hosts meetings for up to 400 and features 453 guest rooms.
Following the completion of a seven-year, $300 million renovation, downtown Detroit’s Book Tower reopened in 2023 after being closed for a decade. It now features several meeting venues: The Conservatory Ballroom, accommodating 175 seated and 275
strolling; The Linden Room, holding 10 to 100; and Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge, with space for 75 people indoors and 172 outside, among others. It is home to 117 hotel rooms under the Roost hotel brand, along with a collection of on-site restaurants, a lobby and rooftop bars, and cocktail lounges.
Debuting in 1926, the Masonic Temple Detroit was built in the Gothic revival-style architecture of 19th-century London. Director of Event Sales Angela Medellin says renovations are in process, and that the hotel’s ballrooms accommodate 600 to 1,200 guests, with smaller spaces for groups of 25 to 150.
Rock Events operates several historic meeting spaces in downtown Detroit as well. These include The Madison, a neoclassical structure opened in 1917 with an auditorium that holds 130 seated, among other spaces; and the neoclassical State Savings Bank, which was built in 1900 and accommodates groups of 400 to 600.
The Ford House, the historic family home of Edsel Ford (Henry Ford’s only son) and his wife, Eleanor, is now a museum
Co./Matthew Williams, It’s
Photography/Sara Wright, Jean Smith Photography
Clockwise from below: The Conservatory Ballroom at Book Tower in Detroit; The Landmark Inn Marquette; Detroit’s State Savings Bank
open for tours on Lake St. Clair in nearby Grosse Pointe Shores. Meetings and events became possible with the completion of a 40,000-square-foot visitor center and 17,000-square-foot administration building in 2021, both with gathering space.
Private Rental Manager Katie Lackey says the St. Clair Room in the administration building holds up to 40. The visitor center’s second-floor Lake Shore Room overlooking the water can handle up to 180, while its Jensen & Kahn Room accommodates 100. Groups often schedule property tours to coincide with events.
“The views are absolutely stunning,” Lackey says. “And it’s different—it doesn’t feel like you’re at a standard banquet hall.”
In Dearborn, both The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village offer multiple meeting facilities steeped in history, from the 180-capacity Eagle Tavern evoking 1800s Michigan at Greenfield Village to The Henry Ford’s Lovett Hall for up to 350, where Henry Ford himself was known to have hosted guests.
Two hours west in Colon near Battle Creek, meeting planners will find Farrand Hall, a historic estate that hosts private dining events in two recently built barns along with a pergola for outdoor gatherings. Co-owner James Gray says each building holds up to 40, with space for 80 outdoors. “We’re kind of like a high-end dining experience,” Gray says. “We have our own in-house chefs, but every year we do our guest chef series. All our menus are designed to be as seasonal and local as possible.”
In west Michigan, the Ludington area offers several historic properties, including the Stearns Hotel—built in 1903 by a lumber baron—and Historic White Pine Village, with a hall built in 1879 that can seat up to 20 and a chapel with room for 70.
In the Upper Peninsula, both the Keweenaw National Historical Park headquarters building in Calumet and restaurant Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co. in Houghton offer spaces for meet ings in historic settings. Of the latter, Visit Keweenaw Public Relations and Events Coordinator Jesse Wiederhold says, “The outside facade remained unchanged for nearly a century, as it was Houghton’s original firehouse where the firefighters worked and where the equipment was stored.”
Stafford’s Bay View Inn in Petoskey; Above: Lake Shore Room at the Ford House Visitor Center in Grosse Pointe Shores
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Fostering Authentic Connections
Discover team-building activities that tie into regional culture, history, and traditions
BY KAMALA KIRK
» TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITIES play an important role in meetings and events by boosting morale and fostering strong bonds through interacting and connecting outside of a corporate setting. Participating in shared experiences and working toward common goals while learning something new encourages creativity, improves communication, and strengthens company culture.
Many destinations offer immersive activities that allow attendees to connect with the residential communities. From culinary outings to enriching arts and crafts and outdoor adventures, these specialized experiences educate participants, preserve cultural traditions, and support area businesses.
Food often holds deep ties to cultural identity, and cuisinerelated activities provide a fun way for attendees to engage with resident communities. In 2015, Tucson, Arizona, was the first city in the U.S. to receive the UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation, recognizing the area’s rich culinary landscape. There, groups learn more about how the desert host city earned this honor by walking through its agricultural history at Mission Garden, a living agricultural garden and museum. For a taste, groups can dine at Tucson City of Gastronomy-certified restaurants, which are often independently owned by community members, use from-scratch recipes, and support the city’s food economy.
“What better way to experience and understand a culture than through taste?” says Mo Olivas, communications manager for Visit Tucson. She notes that Mission Garden gives groups a window into how Tucson’s foodways have changed over time. “It gives visitors context [by] showing how we [came to create] the dishes they’re tasting today at Tucson City of Gastronomy-certified restaurants.”
The city of Mount Pleasant in Michigan offers activities that inspire cultural education for visitors and reflect the history of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, which comprises three bands of Ojibwe and owns the tribal lands of the Isabella Indian Reservation to the north of Mount Pleasant. The city’s Native Farmers Market showcases Indigenous artisans and culinary traditions, while Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways, a notable museum, features engaging exhibits and interactive activities that educate visitors about Great Lakes Anishinabe culture. Groups also might seek to host an event around the time of a powwow, which lets attendees engage with Anishinabe culture by observing traditional dancing accompanied by drums. Speakers are available for private events at the Ziibiwing Center, where they can give presentations about cultural topics including Anishinabe moccasin-making history, music, and more.
“Actively participating and learning about the history and stories of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is a powerful way [to promote] learning, personal growth, broadening perspectives, and connecting to the local heritage and culture in the Mount Pleasant area,” says Jordan Ensing, marketing coordinator at Meet Mt. Pleasant, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.
Hawaii also has a rich culture that is deeply connected to land and place. On the island of Maui, Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, offers team-building activities rooted in Native Hawaiian culture such as hula dancing, lei making, and E Ala E, the greeting of the rising sun with a rousing chant on the sands of Wailea Beach.
“‘Aloha’ is not a word, it’s a way of life—one we share with intention, care, and authenticity,” says Kalei Uwekoolani, cultural programming manager and leadership educator at the resort. “Through language, hula, and customs, we don’t just tell our story—we live it, so our guests can truly feel it.”
Continued on page 24
Climbing with Mountain Trip of Telluride, Colorado
MT. PLEASANT is a thriving community that is home to Central Michigan University, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, natural beauty, Anishinabe culture, and Midwestern hospitality, making it the perfect location for your meeting or event. Mt. Pleasant’s central location in the Lower Peninsula makes meeting there easy. Mt. Pleasant is accessible via U.S. Route 127 and state Route 20, and it is within two hours of all other Lower Peninsula cities.
The Mt. Pleasant area is full of cultural experiences. Immerse attendees in the history and heritage of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and other Great Lakes Anishinabe tribes with a guided tour of the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways. As the Midwest’s leading Native American-centered museum, Ziibiwing offers engaging exhibits and interactive activities that vividly bring Anishinabe stories to life. Don’t forget to visit Ziibiwing’s gift shop, where you will find a variety of Pendleton items, handmade jewelry,
and other beautiful goods that reflect Anishinabe artistry. If you are seeking distinctive and culturally enriching off-site venues, host your next meeting at the Ziibiwing Center.
Extend your cultural exploration beyond the meeting room and engage with local Indigenous artisans and culinary traditions. Shop the Native Farmers Market, held every Tuesday from May until October at the Farmers Market Pavilion on the corner of Broadway and Leaton roads. For a remarkable dining and shopping experience for attendees, head over to Cup of Joy. This charming, Indigenousowned shop offers breakfast and lunch, including traditional Anishinabe foods like corn soup and fry bread, as well as handcrafted beaded jewelry for purchase. This is the perfect opportunity to support Indigenous artisans, try authentic foods, and provide a meaningful cultural experience for event attendees.
Elevate your next event with an authentic cultural experience by
planning it around one of Mt. Pleasant’s powwows. In March, Central Michigan University hosts the Celebrating Life Powwow indoors. In July, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Powwow is at The Hill Campground just outside of town. Powwows give attendees the opportunity to engage with Anishinabe culture in a memorable way; feel the pulse of the drum; and watch the movements of men’s traditional dances, women’s jingle dress dances, and other expressive dance styles.
The Mt. Pleasant area also features 1,500 acres of lush parkland, including Deerfield Nature Park—voted the “Most Beautiful Place in Isabella County” by Pure Michigan—13 golf courses, 23 nature preserves, the Chippewa River, 100-plus restaurants, and so much more!
Discover the authentic charm and host your meeting in Mt. Pleasant— where conference attendance goes to grow. Contact Dorothy Mott at the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau or visit meetmtp.com/meetings.
Continued from page 22
Aside from beautiful beaches, Miami is famous for its boating scene and well known as a destination for water sports enthusiasts. Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures offers exclusive and fun sightseeing speedboat tours that allow participants to enjoy and connect with Miami from the water in true “Miami Vice” style. The outfitter’s 55-foot power catamarans can accommodate 36 attendees on each vessel, and the 55-foot jet boat holds up to 75 people. Narrated group tours range from an hour to 90 minutes long and showcase city landmarks such as the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, and Star Island.
Home to a wide swath of mountainous terrain with many highelevation summits, Colorado is a hotbed for mountain climbing. Telluride-based guide service Mountain Trip brings attendees in on the action through adventurous and exhilarating expeditions, including along the Telluride Via Ferrata, which is widely hailed for its incredible views of Bridal Veil Falls, the highest free-falling waterwall in the state. Led by experienced climbing guides, the hike is just over 2 miles and takes generally four to five hours to complete for most hikers. Along the route, attendees are likely to enjoy the challenging treks while experiencing some of southwest Colorado’s most spectacular high country.
Alternatively, Southern California is known for its relaxed beach culture and wellness trends like sound bathing (a meditative practice using the calming sounds and vibrations of tools like singing bowls and gongs). Sounds baths are offered at VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, by Newport Beachbased wellness practitioner Kyle Lam, founder of Kyle Lam Sound Healing. Groups of all sizes might enjoy the rejuvenating experiences Lam provides, from sunset sound baths with ocean views to floating sound baths at the spa pool. The company also customizes itineraries for private events that fit each group’s wellness goals.
“Our sound baths offer more than relaxation, they create a space where teams can reconnect, build trust, and deepen their bonds through presence,” says Lam. “Rooted in the essence of Newport Beach—with coastal vitality, natural beauty, and a refined spirit— our sound baths mirror the rhythm of the environment, fostering a sense of belonging that extends beyond the individual.”
Clockwise from above left: Annual Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan Powwow; Sound bath at VEA Newport Beach in California; Luau at Hawaii’s Grand Wailea on Maui; Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures
PHOTOS
For meetings, weddings, reunions, golf outings or a leisurely getaway, Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth is a unique place to meet, sleep and eat...but most of all to enjoy. Guests can experience the Zehnder’s tradition of food and service with menus for every taste and budget. When you think of special occasions or getaways, think of Zehnder’s.
Welcome to The Homestead, on the shore of Lake Michigan in Sleeping Bear Dunes – the perfect place to host offsites and relax afterwards. Our meeting rooms host ten to 170 attendees with comfortable furnishings and the tech you need. Enjoy our spa, restaurants, Arnold Palmer golf course, tennis, pickleball, pools, trails, mile-long beach, and nearby wineries.
The question isn’t why host your meeting at The Homestead. It’s why go anywhere else.
Coming Together in the ’Burbs
Meeting planners often gravitate to city downtowns for events.
Convenient and affordable suburban havens attract savvy planners
By Kathy Gibbons
What’s not to like? Such urban destinations typically offer venues that—on their own, or, in many cases, combined—accommodate hundreds if not thousands of attendees, offer access to thriving food and nightlife scenes, and feature walkability.
But nearby suburbs also beckon planners with their own notable
conference centers, resorts, and other amenities. Michigan’s larger cities are surrounded by suburbs that are destinations in themselves—at the ready to serve as host cities for corporate and nonprofit events. Each hub has its own flavor, with meetingsfriendly hotels, event venues, catering, restaurants, shopping, attractions, and opportunities for team building. In some cases, a suburban location can be easier on the budget than a city center, while also providing meeting planners with a fresh canvas and tools to create a remarkable event.
Heidi Schmitt, the director of state accounts for Experience Grand Rapids, says the best location for a group really hinges on the mission and aim of the gathering. “I obviously sell the entire county—we sell both downtown and suburban properties,” she says. “It just depends on their needs. We have certain groups that absolutely want to be downtown, and others that don’t.”
Dana Wagner, director of marketing and communications at Discover Kalamazoo, notes meeting in the suburbs offers groups the ability to explore new parts of a city, along with its hidden gems. “By exploring outside of the city center, you might get some more natural landscapes,” Wagner says. “It can be great for hosting meetings.”
Andrea Cadotto, the senior director of sales strategy at Visit Detroit, describes marketing the suburbs to meeting and event planners as a delight. “We cover such a vast area, and each city has its own unique characteristics,” she says. “Our team is fortunate [to] have this treasure chest of locations and destinations.”
THE HEART OF SUBURBIA
Schmitt cites multiple venues in suburban Grand Rapids that meet planners’ needs. “Two of our larger properties outside of downtown are the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel—which is completely renovated and right off Interstate 96—and our DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Rapids Airport hotel,” Schmitt says. “The advantage there is it’s easy on, easy off; there’s complimentary parking; and you don’t have to fight the traffic. Although we’re a big city, I think we do a nice job here with traffic downtown. And it can be less expensive, depending on the group.”
Schmitt coordinates the placement of state government events and meetings, which can be harder to accommodate in sometimes pricier rooms downtown when working with per diem rates. She says, for example, that the Grand Rapids allowable nightly lodging rate for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, as of May, was listed at $98, breakfast and lunch were $14.75, and dinner was $31.
that can afford higher downtown rates might still choose the suburbs, where extracurricular activities aren’t always right outside the door to lure attendees away from the work at hand. “They don’t want their folks to be all distracted during training sessions,” she says.
“By exploring outside of the city center, you might get some more natural landscapes. It can be great for hosting meetings.”
Kalamazoo’s outer reaches appeal to event planners who don’t want to be downtown or are seeking engaging and memorable spaces to hold meetings. Those areas include Portage, Vicksburg, and Schoolcraft. “If they’re looking to have a hybrid kind of meeting—business and play—and the opportunity to gather and have fun in a unique setting, that’s where you can start to find some memorable venues outside of the downtown area,” Wagner says.
–DANA WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, DISCOVER KALAMAZOO
In a way, Bay City, Frankenmuth, Midland, and Saginaw are suburbs of themselves. “We really promote that all of our areas are within a short 15- to 25-minute drive of each other,” says Go Great Lakes Bay Director of Meetings and Conferences Mandi VanOoteghem. “If you stay in Midland, you can drive over to Frankenmuth [easily].”
“Many times, the properties in suburban areas accommodate those per diems, which downtown many times cannot,” Schmitt says, noting that suburban limitedservice hotels often offer complimentary breakfast, too.
Associations and others on tighter budgets might also look to the suburbs for savings, she says. And some groups
AROUND DETROIT
Cadotto explains that Visit Detroit covers Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, and, therefore, actively promotes properties in the suburbs along with Detroitbased venues. And it’s common for events in Detroit to be so big that overflow lodging is needed in the suburbs.
Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel; Left: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, about 7 miles east of downtown Grand Rapids
“We try to focus on about 20 citywide [events] a year that are large enough to create that compression and push out into the suburbs,” Cadotto says, noting nearby Southfield offers overflow lodging, among other hubs. She adds, “Compression means we have obtained a large enough event in the downtown area that exceeds the number of room allotments and continues to push out.” Some groups like to meet near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus. The Dearborn area is often appealing because it’s 20 minutes from the airport and offers attractions like The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, and Ford Rouge Factory Tours, she says.
Troy is popular because it’s easily accessible by car and brims with hotels—many with conference facilities— and stand-alone meeting venues while being home to countless restaurants and the Somerset Collection, with its luxury retailers and eateries.
“We have the largest number of hotels in Oakland County in our area,” says Tara TomcsikHusak, president and CEO of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. “We see hundreds of groups coming in.”
Farther north, Auburn Hills offers multiple hotels with conference facilities, along with freestanding venues.
Tomcsik-Husak notes that
the area’s SMART bus service recently started a program called SMART Flex. “You can call a Flex shuttle to come get you and your group,” she explains. “It can be anywhere from six to 10 [people], but they also will customize it for groups.” And Novi is in demand because it is accessible by a major freeway [Interstate 96], boasts multiple hotels, and is home to the Suburban Collection Showplace convention center, along with restaurants and shopping centers.
ALL IN ONE
The Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel boasts 259 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including two large ballrooms and 11 breakout rooms accommodating 10 to 500 people. Renovations to guest rooms, meeting spaces, the lobby, and restaurants, totaling about $15 million, were completed in 2023.
“Many of the properties out here have complimentary airport shuttles, so it is free for guests to come and go from the airport,” notes Lisa Calhoun, director of sales and marketing for the hotel.
The Holiday Inn Midland is next to Midland Mall and surrounded by restaurants while providing 180 guest rooms and a new ballroom. VanOoteghem says a property that should be on more planners’ radars is the N.A.D.A. Hotel & Conference Center at Northwood University in Midland, which has overnight accommodations for 30 and gathering space for up to 350.
Suburban Collection Showplace Director of Sales Kate Barber says the Novi property attracts events of all sizes with its 600,000 square feet of exposition and meeting space. In 2013, Hyatt Place Detroit/Novi opened adjacent
Downtown Frankenmuth; Clockwise from right: Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Kalamazoo; W.K. Kellogg Manor House & Gardens in Hickory Corners; The River View space at Frankenmuth Brewery; Steinspark Biergarten and Food Court in Portage
with 126 guest rooms, another ballroom, and more meeting capacity. “That addition was obviously a game changer for us,” Barber says, noting multiple nearby hotels can accommodate overflow. “We are very fortunate that we have a Hyatt shuttle, and we work with three or four hotels that offer complimentary shuttles between our facility.”
STAY HERE, MEET THERE
Wagner singles out locations like Kalamazoo’s Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum for providing a one-of-akind meeting setting while being in proximity to multiple hotels and easily accessible by freeway. Other area venues offering memorable experiences include Steinspark Biergarten and Food Court in Portage; Wind and James, a sprawling event space in Schoolcraft; and the Gilmore Car Museum and lakefront W.K. Kellogg Manor House & Gardens, both in Hickory Corners.
Near Grand Rapids, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park provides gathering spaces and also is a destination for off-site outings, whether a reception or tour of the property with its botanical gardens and outdoor sculptures. Schmitt says she often coordinates having groups stay at a suburban hotel and shuttle to Frederik Meijer Gardens or another independent venue.
Chad Wiebesick at Destination Ann Arbor notes that nearby communities like Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, and Ypsilanti offer distinctive event facilities. Among them are the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti, as well as Robin Hills Farm and Revel Run in Chelsea.
Frankenmuth offers full-service meeting properties like Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn
Lodge. Zehnder’s accommodates up to 350 guests between its restaurant, Splash Village (which includes a hotel and water park), and The Fortress Golf Course with its new outdoor 3,000-square-foot bar and pavilion, and Zehnder’s also offers off-site catering. Planners can arrange events at Bavarian Inn Lodge’s restaurant or hotel with its newly expanded water park.
“We cover such a vast area, and each city has its own unique characteristics.”
–ANDREA CADOTTO, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES STRATEGY, VISIT DETROIT
There also are several venues with great settings for gatherings that are within walking distance of Frankenmuth lodging, says Lydia Walker, director of operations and services for the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. Frankenmuth Brewery has meeting spaces and riverfront views while being a short distance from the Marv Herzog Hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites Frankenmuth, and SpringHill Suites Frankenmuth. Also in Frankenmuth is Uptown North Main, with gathering space for up to 400.
In Troy, the Michigan State University Management Education Center is a full-service conference facility with 25,000 square feet of event space. Tomcsik-Husak also suggests Troy Historic Village as another intriguing venue. She notes, “You can actually rent historic buildings from the early 1900s and host your meetings there.”
TENACIOUS AND RESOURCEFUL PLANNERS STAY NIMBLE AND RESILIENT IN AN AGE OF UNCERTAINTY
BY NATALIE COMPAGNO AND GREG FREITAS
Meeting professionals are used to juggling schedules and contingencies, but the last few months have felt like an endless roller coaster of challenges. As many planners know, it is not a stretch to imagine being at their desk one morning, surrounded by seating diagrams and catering quotes, when the phone buzzes with an alert: Another multibilliondollar tariff has been announced on raw materials, affecting the price of myriad conference necessities. Minutes later, a colleague emails that a major sponsor’s travel has been frozen by budget cuts. By afternoon, headlines pop up about an executive order requiring written approval for federal employee conference travel. The script reads more like a thriller than a planning playbook, but it is all too real for most planners this year. And the plot twists keep coming.
While dealing with uncertainty and mastering flexibility have always been aspects of a planner’s job, this doesn’t mean navigating such shifts comes easily. Planners thrive on knowing they can rely on at least a few relative constants, such as the cost of a trade-show booth or the ability of key international attendees to attend a conference. But today, even these event elements can be unpredictable. And when the ground shifts in such profound ways, planners feel the impact immediately. Fortunately, industry professionals have responded with typical aplomb. The sky might feel like it’s falling, but there is plenty of time and ample resources to counter the uncertainty and succeed in the face of challenges.
BLOCKS IN THE ROAD
This era’s terrain has already taken a toll on attendance and budgets. A Tourism Economics Global Travel Service update released this year underscores the impact, highlighting that international visitor arrivals to the U.S. are expected to fall 9.4% this year, with Canadian visitation dropping 20.2%. Canada has long been a top feeder for U.S. events, so the latter dip is especially significant. Cameron Curtis, president and chief innovator at association management firm C2 Association Strategies of Alexandria, Virginia, has already felt the effects. “We had a small domestic conference in March where the Canadian attendees said they wouldn’t travel to the U.S. for at least four years,” she says. “For that reason, we are considering moving meetings that have traditionally been held in the U.S. to Canada to make it easier for
international travelers to attend. People forget that diversity also means diversity of thought, perspective, and experience, and international attendees enhance that.”
Therese Jardine, CEO of consultancy Strategic Event Procurement based in Seattle, says her network also is bracing for lower international turnout. “Everyone in my network is concerned and expecting lower attendance from outside the country,” she says.
“AS AN ETERNAL OPTIMIST, I CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON WHAT I CAN CONTROL RATHER THAN DWELLING ON WHAT I CAN’T.”
—BRITTNEY COBB, DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL EVENTS, INNOV8 MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Adding to the uncertainty is a wave of additional trade tariffs that might make events more expensive. After levying steel and aluminum tariffs in March, the White House imposed duties on most imported goods in April, increasing costs across the board. While some of
those tariffs have subsequently been scaled back during negotiations, their future status remains unclear. Those higher expenses could cut deeply into planning budgets, already stretched thin by inflation and staffing shortages. In addition, hotels and vendors face higher costs of business, and they often pass on some expenses via steeper room rates and service fees.
Jardine confirms the pinch is real. “Food and beverage costs are increasing for sure,” she says. “Planners are going to get creative on how to keep a good experience while managing cost and reducing waste. Clients are waiting to make financial commitments. Even corporations face uncertainty about attendance as travel budgets are reduced. People are going with much more conservative room blocks than they might otherwise to avoid potential attrition.”
Planners also are reviewing and suggesting contract language that addresses uncertainty in its numerous forms. Many event professionals insist on broader force majeure clauses (allowing cancellation due to an event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled) or other cancellation clauses to protect themselves against unforeseen obstacles. Industry experts recommend explicitly covering political or regulatory disruptions in contracts. “Force majeure [clauses are] interesting,” says Jardine. “Reduced attendance because attendees can no longer afford to attend does not constitute force majeure. Planners and hoteliers will need to work together to come up with agreements that allow a certain amount of flexibility. Neither side will 100% get their way.”
“PLANNERS ARE GOING TO GET CREATIVE ON HOW TO KEEP A GOOD EXPERIENCE
Most note that force majeure clauses have included unforeseen regulatory changes for years. But as Brittney Cobb, director of global events at Las Vegas-based Innov8 Meetings and Events, notes, contracts only work if you enforce them. “Even with the right contract language, the real power comes in knowing how to enforce it,” she says. “When unexpected issues arise, having a contract expert in your corner who understands every clause and holds venues accountable is the best protection you can have.”
INNOVATION STRIKES BACK
Faced with so many obstacles and tightened resources, successful planners innovate by necessity. “As an eternal optimist, I choose to focus on what I can control rather than dwelling on what I can’t,” says Cobb. “[I prioritize] staying ahead of industry trends, global news, policies, and market shifts that could impact meetings and events; protecting clients from unnecessary risks and surprise costs; and educating clients on things like food supply-chain disruptions, new or rising hotel fees, and where to get the best value for their program.”
This also might mean carefully reallocating budgets after cuts, finding new revenue streams, or tweaking event formats. For instance, with lower marketing and sponsorship funds, planners might target fewer but more reliable sponsors. They also might create tiered packages that appeal to cautious marketers.
According to Nancy Shaffer, CEO of Bravo Events in Washington, D.C., there are plenty of time-honored options open to planners for reducing budgets or increasing revenue without affecting event quality. “Many [planners] are either shortening events or combining sessions to save on lodging and meals,” she says. “Others are beefing up value-adds—such as on-demand content or postevent reports—to make it [worthwhile to] sponsors even if fewer delegates attend.”
MaryAnn Blanchard, director of sales at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on the island of Maui in Hawaii, notes the recent shifts have led to the resort’s events team refocusing on what is important. “We’re either pivoting by using other vendors or pausing on those purchases,” she says. “The silver lining is that we are really looking to our local vendors and sourcing items closer to home. From bamboo to paper products, we are getting [everything] either on-island or from the other islands.”
Technology and format pivots draw mixed reviews from planners, with many stressing the superiority of in-person events over virtual. But Jardine believes hybrid
formats should remain part of the playbook as useful tools for staying flexible. “I believe hybrid formats continue to be viable options,” she says. “It’s not necessarily a lessexpensive option but rather one that allows the content to be available when in-person attendance isn’t viable.”
DOUBLING DOWN ON OPTIMISM
The meetings industry is finding ways to persevere. Many planners who weathered the peak of COVID-19 can draw on those lessons now. Budgets might be cut and attendance might decline, but the problem-solver mentality of planners is kicking in. By tightening financials, vetting risk factors early, and keeping lines of communication open with stakeholders, event teams are learning to thrive amid volatility.
Marsha Flanagan, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, which is headquartered in Dallas, underscores the value of the long view. “Our focus remains on long-term adaptability,” she says. “We’re working closely with legal experts and policymakers to ensure compliance while advocating for fair implementation.”
As always, event planners are innovative, fearless, and optimistic by nature. Goodwin says, “This is an opportunity for events to show their enduring value.
Regardless of the uncertainty, bringing people together and delivering the commerce, the networking, the education, and the experience that people are looking for will lay the groundwork for years to come.”
As planners counsel their peers, some might think the obvious choice is paralysis. But others conclude with a rallying call: Keep moving forward. Goodwin continues, “Lots of times in these environments full of economic uncertainty, people pare back on their global expansion. And that might actually be the riskiest move right now.”
After all, “We learned so many things as an industry getting through the [height of the COVID-19] pandemic,” says Shaffer. “It’s time to rally together, circle the wagons, and put those ideas back into practice.” When people pull together, strength and innovation persevere. Armed with that perspective and a dash of optimism, the industry is determined to survive—and even find new opportunities—in this time of uncertainty.
Planners come together to tackle the challenges ahead at IAEE’s Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held in December of last year in Los Angeles.
Frankenmuth Water Park Reopens
Bavarian Inn Lodge’s expanded Bavarian Blast indoor water park is now open in Frankenmuth for meeting groups to enjoy. The $80 million project, which began in December 2022 to enlarge the water park and Family Fun Center into the largest in Michigan at 170,000 square feet, was completed in March.
“We have been anticipating this day for quite a while now,” says General Manager Joanna Nelson regarding the March 21 opening date. “We are thrilled to finally open the doors to all our loyal
guests and many new visitors. Our staff has stepped up to the challenge of opening for spring break crowds and providing a truly memorable experience.”
Family Fun Center highlights include an ice cream and candy shop, laser tag, mini bowling, a three-story ropes course, and rock-climbing walls. The water park expanded to include 16 total water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, swim-up bar for adults, and concessions.
“We are receiving extremely positive feedback on the park, from the attractions
to the theming and space,” Nelson says. “Families and adult-only groups are enjoying the wide variety of offerings.”
Nelson says planners can incorporate the new facilities into events agendas in several ways. Bavarian Inn Lodge provides options for overnight rentals and group pricing for day passes. Groups also can hold social events on the water park’s mezzanine level. “We have already hosted an event for 300 people,” Nelson adds. “We are ready to customize events for all interested.” bavarianinn.com
ESCAPE ROOM DEBUTS IN PORT HURON
» THE HALLWAY ENTERTAINMENT in Port Huron is expanding its escape room offerings as demand for its experiences—and the group activities supplied by a sister business called Foundry—grows. Owner Carol Brooks established The Hallway Entertainment as an escape room business, which then grew to feature murder-mystery and game-show themes Brooks takes on the road for events outside of Port Huron. In addition to classes in pottery, stained glass, and mosaics, Foundry offers splatter painting, with participants covering up to splash paint at a canvas and create art. Says Brooks, “The beauty of what I do is that pretty much everybody is participating and getting involved a majority of the time.” foundryporthuron.com | thehallwayentertainment.com
Bavarian Blast water park at Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn Lodge
Escape room at Port Huron’s The Hallway Entertainment
Venue 19 Zero 9 Opens in Marshall
When Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub President and CEO Sue Damron developed a business plan for the company’s new Venue 19 Zero 9 event center in Marshall, it called for three gatherings to be contracted by the time construction was finished. That goal was surpassed when 15 were under contract before it opened. Venue 19 Zero 9 is now operating, just a block from the original Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub in downtown Marshall. It’s located in an 1880s building that, for many years, housed Dreamers Furniture, now restored and renovated to feature a space that accommodates up to 300 seated attendees, with catering provided by Schuler’s. Three boutique hotel rooms also have been incorporated into the project. Additional hotel rooms are located above the original Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub, and a Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn are less than a mile away. 19zero9.com
MACVB NAMES 2025 OFFICERS
» EARLIER THIS YEAR, the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) announced its 2025 officers, which include Julie Pingston of Choose Lansing, president; Brad Barnett of Visit Keweenaw, vice president; Jen Sistrunk of the South Haven/Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, secretary; Bob Lukens of Visit Muskegon, treasurer; and directors at large Trevor Tkach of Traverse City Tourism, Susan Estler of Travel Marquette, and Michael Hensley of Discover the Blue, Michigan’s Thumbcoast. visitmichigan.org
PEOPLE NEWS
Events North, a corporate meeting management agency in Traverse City, hired Arianna Bowman as meeting and event coordinator. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she previously interned with Events North and Special D Events of Detroit. Bowman will be responsible for coordinating client meetings and incentives.
The Sports Events & Tourism Association, a trade group, named West Michigan Sports Commission President Mike Guswiler Executive of the Year. The association selected Guswiler from 800 member organizations spread out across the nation. He has worked for more than 30 years in the hospitality and tourism industry for both private and nonprofit organizations.
Julie Oatman is now director of sales at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. She worked in sales for over 25 years at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant, starting as corporate and incentive sales manager in 1998 and subsequently promoted to director of sales and catering in 2017. Oatman also is a certified meeting professional.
Aaron Turner was appointed vice president of philanthropy at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park near Grand Rapids. A graduate of Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University, Turner earlier served as director of development at WGVU Public Media and as senior development/finance director at Boy Scouts of America. He also holds a certification in nonprofit leadership from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Choose Lansing named Jessica Wilk as sales manager. A graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, she has experience as a sales manager for North Carolina-based Concord Hospitality Enterprises, covering the Lansing market. In her Choose Lansing role, she works to bring association meetings and events to the Lansing area.
Julie Pingston
Rendering of the Ovation Center for Music and Arts
MUSIC COMPLEX COMING TO LANSING
» OVATION CENTER for Music and Arts might just get a standing cheer when it opens in Lansing next year. The long-awaited downtown music complex is under construction and will replace the entertainment component of what used to be the Lansing Civic Center, which was demolished in 1999, says Dominic Cochran, founding director of the Ovation Center project. At the time of its construction, the large Lansing Center convention complex was intended to capture the meeting and event business previously served by the Lansing Civic Center, but the money wasn’t there for a facility that could properly fulfill the entertainment component, Cochran explains.
The $28 million Ovation Center for Music and Arts will accommodate concerts with big-name acts for about 2,000 attendees. Occupancy is higher for other events and gatherings, which Cochran says will be handled with a flexible design and projection mapping. “Imagine if it’s a punk rock show, it’s going to look one way, or if it’s a corporate event, it will look another way,” he explains.
Choose Lansing is excited about the addition of Ovation Center to Lansing’s event venue offerings, says the organization’s Chief Marketing Officer Tracy Padot. “It will provide unique meeting space steps from the state Capitol and dozens of restaurants and attractions,” she says. “Additionally, planners hosting events in the region can make use of the Ovation’s live performances as evening entertainment for convention attendees.” ovationlansing.com
State-of-the-art meeting facilities in unique spaces raise the level of your event. Personalized service to fit your meeting needs in space close toafter-hours experiences can be sourced by contacting Kimberly Wright, CMP at kwright@cnscvb.com
Making an Impression
Nearly 175 event professionals attended the third annual Big Events, Big Impact gathering in February at the Garden Theater in downtown Detroit. Jointly hosted by the Detroit Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), Meeting Professionals International Michigan Chapter, International Live Events Association Michigan, and the Detroit Events Council, the conference centered on the theme “How Detroit Sets the Standard for Service Excellence.” Rock Events Senior Manager of Business Development Lyn Gleasure—who also is vice president of NACE’s national board of directors and a cofounder of the Detroit Events Council—says Big Events, Big Impact came about as a way to discuss the large events taking place in Detroit, including the NFL draft, Rocket Classic PGA tournament, Detroit Grand Prix, and others, but it has since evolved to include specific event aspects like design trends, staffing, and customer service. This year, participants heard from a panel of industry leaders known for putting their clients’ needs first.
1. The Garden Theater 2. Stan Smith
3. Julie Palmer and Sandra Black
4. Carol Galle, Elise Luddy, and Jennifer Berkemeier 5. Emily Anderson, Drew Lauterbach, Kayla Draper, and Kortney Watts 6. Bri Oldham, Matthew Rossi, and Camille Wilson 7. Adrienne Perzyk and Brittany Helms 8. Connie Seibt, Megan Przbysz, Megan Goodman, and Nakeita Harris
Meetings Guide is a
for planning
and events in Michigan. From timely editorials about the
and events business to listings and key contact information, if you plan meetings and events, you’ll want to review this guide! If you prefer a printed copy, please email visitmichigan@gmail.com with your name and full address. We’d be happy to mail you a hard copy of the publication.
On the Ground Floor
Nicole E. Lakatos is a champion for historic Book Tower—and Detroit
BY KATHY GIBBONS
Nicole E. Lakatos has had an exhilarating couple of years. She manages all the gathering spaces and group bookings for Anthology Events, the in-house events company for downtown Detroit’s historic Book Tower, which recently reached the end of a seven-year, $400 million renovation by its owner, Bedrock. Anthology Events is under the umbrella of Philadelphia-based Method Co. Hospitality, for which Lakatos is director of events.
Lakatos began her career working as a waitress at Detroit’s Elwood Bar & Grill, owned by Jim and Chuck Forbes, while attending Wayne State University, also in Detroit. That led to her taking a job in the late 1990s developing the Forbes’ real estate holdings, which include the iconic Gem Theatre and Colony Club, into a private event and hospitality business.
“I basically started their events program with them,” she says, noting the company rebranded as Forbes Hospitality in 2022. Shortly after, she was recruited for her current position. Starting nine months ahead of the Book Tower reopening in June 2023, Lakatos was on the ground floor of launching several of its meeting venues: The Conservatory Ballroom, Linden Room, and the interior and exterior of Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge.
“We host [everything from] small executive groups of 20 to strolling receptions of 275 guests in The Conservatory Ballroom and the Linden Room, [connected spaces that have] a beautiful skylight and views of the Detroit River,” she says. “I call it urban elegance. It has this feeling of an indoor garden surrounded by the city landscape, and at night, it’s beautiful.”
Flaunting the spaces for many types of events has been exciting, she says—especially when put in the context of Detroit’s exploding appeal. “[Last year] was the first year we were open for one full year and the responses were great—people not only shared they couldn’t believe how beautiful and exquisite the building is, but also [their surprise at] how much Detroit had to offer,” Lakatos says. “Yes, I can talk about how wonderful this property is, but Detroit is part of that story, too. Detroit is something to showcase.”
She says the best part of her work is meeting people and hearing their stories. “I love getting to know people and building relationships,” she says. “That’s what makes you want to produce and execute incredible experiences—especially in a corporate market. You want to achieve everything [your clients are] wanting to achieve and surpass those expectations.”
