MyNorth Meetings 2020

Meetings AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN • 2020

TAKE YOUR CREW UP NORTH! TOP TIPS FROM PL ANNERS AT:

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Crystal Mountain Hotel Walloon Grand Hotel The Homestead Mission Point

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A supplement to

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Northern Michigan's Premier Meetings Destination

"One of the most beautiful meeting spaces I've seen!"

- Amy Freshwater, Freshwater Communication & Crisis Management

New outdoor Promenade Deck Pavilion & newly renovated Conference Center One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island, MI 49757 | www.missionpoint.com | 906.430.4561

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Meetings

» KITE FLYING

» HIKING TRAILS

MISSION POINT RESORT

PHOTOS FROM LEFT: KELLY REWA // DANIEL OSWALT

M ACK I NAC I S L AN D

When the Ware family bought Mission Point Resort in 2014, they knew it was time for some love—not just to the property itself, but to the fans and guests who had adored it for so many years.

“We invested $12 million into everything from the guest rooms on up,” says Liz Ware, vice president of sales and marketing. “So this is like a big thank you to the community that’s supported us.”

The facelift was the first full-scale renovation in 40 years, with a fresh design and a light and airy color palette riffing on the watery colors of the island to replace the vintage hunter green and burgundy.

“We have a lot of people in groups coming back for years, and it’s such a joy to be in a position to say, ‘We listened to you, we’ve done it. Here’s this gorgeous space and a real wow for your attendees,’” Ware says. “At the end of the day, the planner wants to be able to provide the ‘wow.’”

While the hotel is part of the island’s reputation as a major conference destination, Ware says you just simply can’t overlook the allure of the island itself. “Mackinac as a destination can boost attendance because people want to see the island,” she says, especially for groups with a culture that values health and wellness. “We have the perfect destination for that. A fleet of bikes and a host of outdoor activities help planners make the most of their programming.”

CASE STUDY Last summer, a group wanted to do memorable team building, so a trainer provided the guests with a horsewhispering demonstration with the horses right on the lawn of the resort. “The interaction they had was fabulous; really, really special,” Ware says. “You can get unique experiences all over Michigan, but to have those horses on the lawn of the hotel while overlooking the Straits with freighters going by ... it was magical.”

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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NEW IN 2020 Immediately above the conference center, guests will find a new all-weather rooftop patio area—the largest in Northern Michigan—with a tented pavilion overlooking the Straits.

LOCALS LOVE “The island has 60 miles of hiking and biking trails, and so often guests don’t take advantage of them,” Ware says, adding that people bike the road around the island, but don’t go into the interior, missing special spots like Fort Holmes.

“The island is only four square miles, so to have 60 miles of trails is a lot.”

HOT TIP Attendees love to hear about the history and culture and what it’s like to live on an island, so Ware encourages planners to add a fun event they call “lunch with a local,” where island residents visit and do a roundtable discussion about what island life is really like. “People ask about winter on the island, where to get groceries, the mail service, just about daily life. Everyone wants to know!” Ware says.

QUICK FACTS » Total meeting capacity: 38,000 square feet in a dedicated conference center » Largest space capacity: 400 guests » Heads in beds: 241 rooms » Getting there: Sky West (Delta) serves Pellston Regional Airport, with shuttle service to the ferry docks available.

I-75 brings you directly to the ferry docks of both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/Mackinac

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Make Your Next Corporate Event An Unforgettable One O u r c o m p l e t e p a r t y p a c k a g e s m a ke it fast and easy to throw the part y yo u r s t a f f d e s e r ve s M u r d e r M y s t e r y Pa r t y | A n n u a l C e l e b r a t i o n C o c k t a i l Pa r t y | F u n d r a i s e r s

1 2 3 S P E A K E A S Y. C OM To p rat e d o n G o o g l e , Fac e b o o k , Ye l p , an d T r i p Adv i s o r !

123 W. Front Street Traverse City MI 231.753.8841 • events@123speakeasy.com

Welcome to our Neighborhood.

Welcome to the very vibrant and very cool downtown Traverse City waterfront neighborhood called the Warehouse District. It’s the place we call home.

Come stay with us! Enjoy the modern design, lush bedding, spa-inspired showers, inspiring function spaces, free Wi-Fi, fresh cuisine, local craft beverages and live entertainment.

We do great meetings, too.

Hotel Indigo Traverse City

263 W. Grandview Parkway | Traverse City, MI 49684 t: 231.932.0500 Reservations: 877.8.INDIGO (846.3446) hotelindigo.com/TraverseCityMI

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WELCOME TO MYNORTH MEETINGS. Discover the laidback lifestyle, gorgeous lakeshores, top-caliber golf courses, craft food and drink and one of the most acclaimed wine regions in the nation, and know why once people gather Up North, they never want to depart. When you tap into the beautiful, evocative setting and friendly vibes of Northern Michigan, you create the experiences that meeting attendees will love and long remember.

Consider the distinct recreation options and stunning event spaces at the venues in these pages. Seek out the resorts’ experts for the planning support and attention to detail that make your meeting a success. Whether on a legendary island, on a ski hill overlooking a sparkling lake, or in one of America’s coolest beach towns, you have a place for connecting and recharging that is second to none. (Just allow plenty of free time. Your group will thank you!)

Meetings AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN • 2020

A MyNorth Media Publication

PRESIDENT/EDITOR IN CHIEF

Deborah Wyatt Fellows

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Michael Wnek

MANAGING EDITOR

Elizabeth Edwards

DIGITAL AND CONTENT EDITOR

Carly Simpson

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Allison Jarrell

PROOFREADERS REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, SPECIAL SECTIONS GRAPHIC DESIGNER WEB DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

MARKETING DIRECTOR MARKETING COORDINATOR MYNORTH TICKETS CUSTOMER SUCCESS SPECIALIST OFFICE MANAGER BOOKKEEPER

Elizabeth Aseritis Caroline Dahlquist Andrew VanDrie Kandace Chapple Kim Schneider Tim Tebeau Gail Snable

Table of Contents 1

MISSION POINT, MACKINAC ISLAND

A recent renovation and modern amenities make this resort a ‘wow’ destination on Michigan’s most alluring island.

Jen Berigan

4

UNFORGETTABLE TEAM BONDING

Julie Parker

You’re not at just any conference center—so whip up some team building experiences, Up North-style.

7

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA, TRAVERSE CITY

Genuine service, a luxury spa and three championship golf courses are major draws—and don’t forget the Lake Michigan shoreline and close proximity to downtown.

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THE HOMESTEAD, GLEN ARBOR

Every business meeting would be better if it felt more like a vacation retreat—something The Homestead has been specializing in for more than 80 years.

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HOTEL WALLOON, WALLOON LAKE

Vintage meets luxury at this lakefront hotel, rated a four-diamond resort, with state-of-the-art facilities and tech in every room.

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CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE

Find an outdoor oasis with lots of on-site amenities like Michigan’s only alpine slide, a rooftop terrace and an art park on resort property.

17

TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL, WILLIAMSBURG

Sure, the main draw of Turtle Creek is the no-holds-barred fun and dazzle of a gaming floor right on site, but this resort isn’t just for gamers.

Theresa Burau-Baehr Rachel Watson Claire Houser

Darren Bergquist Ann Gatrell Jeff Genschaw Meg Lau Cyndi Ludka Lori Niemer Erin Lutke Kara Jarvis

Emily Oakes Libby Stallman Kim Stewart

A Supplement to

COVER PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER

—the Editors

Editorial & Advertising Offices 125 S Park Street, Suite 155 Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 231.941.8174 | Fax: 231.941.8391

20 MAPS & DETAILS

Subscriber Services Visit MyNorth.com/Account to renew your subscription, change your address, or review your account.

Northern Michigan Area Airports and Advertiser Directory.

21

GRAND HOTEL, MACKINAC ISLAND

Please email other subscription inquiries to info@mynorth.com or call 800-678-3416 between 8:30 am and 5 pm EST.

Expect legendary attention to service and unmatched style in a venue so gracious and beautiful it can only be called grand.

MyNorth Meetings 2020

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Unforgettable Team Bonding You’re not at just any hotel conference center— so whip up some team experiences, Up North-style.

BY CARA MCDONALD | PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER

» KAYAKING IN WEST GRAND TRAVERSE BAY

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Meetings

» BIKING ON MACKINAC ISLAND

» ALPINE SLIDE AT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

PHOTOS FROM LEFT: DANIEL OSWALT // LYDIA MEJIA

According to team-building experts, informal team bonding—team building’s slightly less intensely focused and scripted sibling—is crucial to helping establish a corporate culture where people enjoy coming to work. So, forget your bad memories of awkward trust falls and uncomfortable oversharing, and try these distinctly Northern Michigan ways to bring your work team together.

ENCOURAGE PLAY At Crystal Mountain, the state’s only alpine slide often gets booked as an attraction for attendees’ families and kids, but it quickly becomes the main event for adults who want to join in the fun. “One group totally abandoned their adult evening reception and took over the slide!” laughs Arah Johnson, director of sales at Crystal Mountain.

DO WHAT’S UNIQUELY LOCAL Grand Hotel’s Mackinac Island location means no cars and plenty of bikes and horses. Groups have sent attendees out on bicycles or in carriages for scavenger hunts around the island. One recent group worked with a horse trainer and did team-building work with horses at the community stables, using principles of equine-assisted therapy to help those horses reflect behavior back to the human teams.

JUST ADD WATER When your setting is on the lake, don’t just use it as a beautiful backdrop—let your team get wet. The Homestead helps adventurous groups arrange kayaking expeditions, while guests at Hotel Walloon rent fleets of stand-up paddleboards or pontoon boats for floating welcome receptions.

RETHINK THE TRADITIONAL MEETING SCHEDULE The old nine-to-five seems like a waste when your event is surrounded by Michigan’s outdoor playground. Crystal Mountain encourages meeting planners to consider scheduling their days to leave afternoons free to golf, mountain bike or ski and reconvening in the evenings over dinner, hot drinks or craft brews.

PLAN SOMETHING OUT OF THE GROUP NORM A buttoned-up medical group with attendees from South Carolina and Nevada went way outside their comfort zone and embraced their wintery destination. The Homestead set them up on a guided ice fishing adventure on Long Lake and they loved every frosty minute. “Even on day one of their meeting they walked down to the welcome center in 14 degrees,” says Tony Farragh, The Homestead’s senior manager and director of sales. “There’s bonding in that whether you like it or not!”

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DISCOVER 100+ EVENTS!

800.836.0717 // MYNORTHTICKETS.COM // TRAVERSE CITY

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Meetings

» 3 RESORT GOLF COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM

» WATER ACTIVITIES

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA

PHOTO FROM LEFT: RILEY JAMES // DAVE WEIDNER

TR AVE R S E CIT Y

In the world of Northern Michigan meetings, there’s one spot that qualifies as the Big Kahuna—Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Set on 900 acres of rolling golf course, forested grounds and Lake Michigan shoreline, the resort has the muscle and capacity to host even the mightiest of groups, accommodating up to 2,500 meeting guests in style and specializing in corporate and association groups.

Larger groups mean more demands for keeping a wider variety of folks engaged and delighted, to which the resort says: No problem. A luxury spa and three championship golf courses are major draws, while other guests will find themselves at the 100,000-square-foot fitness facility fitting in a yoga class or solo sweat session. Down at the private Resort Beach Club, meeting attendees are steps away from a meditative paddle on East Grand Traverse Bay—all without ever leaving the property.

“Coming to this area, there are so many things to do,” says Ryan Buck, director of sales. “One of the benefits of us being a prominent fixture in a smaller community is our Northern Michigan contacts and relationships. For example, if a group requests a custom wine tour and tasting, our event design manager will handle everything for you. Normally a planner would have to take care of this planning; don’t do more work than you have to!”

Exploring nearby Traverse City allows for group outings with an urban flair—craft distilleries, indie films and museums await—but the resort is also a quick jump from Old Mission Peninsula’s vineyards and wineries, the perfect spot for an off-site team bonding experience or relaxing day trip.

CASE STUDY “A notable insurance company with approximately 600 people holds its annual meeting/celebration with us,” Buck says. “They enjoy the flexibility and ease of working with SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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us, especially the 19,000-square-foot pillarless ballroom with access to a garage that easily manages semi-trucks.”

NEW IN 2020 This spring, the resort will open an entertainment facility called The Den, consisting of two bowling lanes, axe throwing, an escape room and a bar.

LOCALS LOVE “The Traverse Area Recreational Trail is a local favorite,” Buck says. The paved rails-to-trail TART system winds for miles all the way into Leelanau County and is easily picked up by guests at the Bunker Hill trailhead in Acme.

HOT TIP “Don’t forget we’re a year-round destination,” Buck says.

In winter, the resort offers indoor tennis and a water playground and pools, while outdoor options include sleigh rides at nearby Antler Ridge Farms, cross-country skiing on the VASA Pathway and downhill skiing at Mt. Holiday.

QUICK FACTS » Property acreage: 900 » Health club capacity: 100,000 square feet » Total options for meeting spaces: 600 » Total meeting space: 86,500 square feet » Largest single meeting space: 19,320 square feet » Total attendees: up to 2,500 » Getting there: 10 minutes from Cherry Capital Airport

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/Traverse City

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GOLF SPA SHOP DINE MEET

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GET UP AND GO Expansive views and limitless venues. The inspiration of a Northern Michigan meeting is more than a vineyard board room, private beach reception, or group sail at sunset. More than renowned service or distinct personalization. It’s having all of those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it.

Get up and go at grandtraverseresort.com/meetings.

Owned and Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

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Of fish, ponds & meetings.

You know about small fish and big ponds. Big fish swim nearby and danger lurks. There’s no such danger here. Your meeting will be in a pond of its own.

It will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and furnishings. So, you will be productive, your goals met, and your people happy.

And when you are ready for teambuilding, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is right outside our door. The viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America named it the Most Beautiful Place in America. You can bask in its beauty. Or you can golf or fish or shop or spa or enjoy galleries, vineyards, breweries, gourmet restaurants and so much more.

Go ahead. Be the big fish. We think you’ll like it.

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231 334 5300 2020_MEETINGS(3).indd 10

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Meetings

» RELAXING RETREAT

» WINERIES

THE HOMESTEAD

.

PHOTO FROM LEFT: RILEY JAMES // DAVE WEIDNER

G LE N AR B O R

Every business meeting would be better if it felt more like a vacation retreat—something The Homestead has been specializing in since Bob Kuras began to build his Leelanau resort just steps from the Crystal River and Lake Michigan, 45 years ago.

A series of stand-alone lodges make up The Homestead’s meeting venues—throwbacks to gracious old Up North retreats, complete with porches and rocking chairs, stone fireplaces and beamed ceilings, offering an atmosphere that’s nothing like your typical hotel conference center.

The Inn is the historic heart and soul of The Homestead, with combined event space and adjacent lodging, while Camp Firefly has a more rustic feeling and interior-focused meeting spaces. The largest venue is Mountain Flowers Lodge, offering 5,000 square feet of event space wrapped with big patios and an outdoor fireplace. “This spot is great to get outside of your normal settings; there’s wonderful indoor-outdoor flow,” says Tony Farragh, the resort’s senior manager and director of sales. Nearby Stony Brook Lodge has three meeting spaces, a private pool, a patio and a gas fireplace, and its guest rooms have views of Sleeping Bear Bay. During downtime, attendees love to head out to The Homestead’s par-3 golf course (it transforms into a snowshoeing and Nordic skiing paradise in the winter) or retreat to the resort’s spa perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

There’s plenty of tech and traditional meeting space if you need it, but “people don’t just want to sit in meetings and then head out to the bar; they love to feel like they’re on vacation,” Farragh says. “This is the kind of place where your welcome reception is on the water, with a fire pit on the beach at sunset and a bar.”

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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NEW IN 2020 The “Celebration Table” at Whiskers restaurant—a curved table that seats 38 and encourages conversations and interaction.

LOCALS LOVE “Everything outdoors,” Farragh says. High on everyone’s list—direct access from the resort to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail for biking and the Bay View Trail for hiking/snowshoeing.

HOT TIP “Set the tone with a cocktail hour on top of Bay Mountain,” Farragh advises. “Guests take the chairlift up to a paved patio space where you can see lakes Fisher, Glen and Michigan ... it’s just the best view and makes a memorable statement.” Bonus: The space is usually available Sunday through Thursday.

QUICK FACTS » Smallest space: cozy eight-person round-table settings » Largest space: Mountain Flowers Lodge has 5,000 square feet and can host up to 170 people » Distinct hotel lodging options: 4 » Getting there: 30 miles west of Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/Leelanau

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Privately owned AAA 4-Diamond Resort since 2016

Corporate Groups & Meetings | Social Events Fine & Casual Dining | Boutique Suites Unique Venues | Premier Village Events

VINTAGE ELEGANCE. NORTHERN ATMOSPHERE. UNLIMITED ADVENTURE.

hotelwalloon.com

4127 N M-75 Walloon Lake, MI

Emily Jensen, Sales & Marketing Manager | ejensen@hotelwalloon.com | (231) 751-1181

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Meetings

» PATIO DINING

» WATERFRONT VIEWS

HOTEL WALLOON

PHOTOS BY RACHEL HAGGERTY

WALLOO N L AK E

When guests arrive at Hotel Walloon, they frequently ask when the stately white lakefront building was constructed and are shocked to hear the answer: 2015.

Walloon Lake was originally home to two hotels in the late 1890s and early 1900s at the height of the “vacationland” movement promoting the lake country of Northern Michigan to wealthy summer travelers across the Midwest. But the new, 32-room boutique hotel now gracing the shore is the vision of owner Jonathan Borisch, who spent boyhood summers at a cottage on the lake. After the recession, he purchased vacant property in town to encourage retail development and built this graceful nod to bygone days with the hope of breathing life into the community of Walloon Lake.

Mission accomplished. The hotel’s vintage-meets-luxury vibe is an homage to all things Northern Michigan, with locally sourced wood and stones, and a treasure trove of artifacts, including historical photos and fishing poles.

But don’t let the rustic charm fool you—Hotel Walloon is rated a four-diamond resort and offers state-of-the-art facilities and tech in every room (think soothing, water-like colors, elegant textiles and 70-inch TVs). In fact, smaller corporate groups often opt to host boardroom-style meetings in some of the larger rooms and suites, which can accommodate up to 20 people.

Most larger groups utilize the hotel’s Talcott Meeting and Event Center, located just a stroll across the street. Here you’ll find banquet-type convertible meeting space, as well as one of Sales and Marketing Manager Emily Jensen’s favorite event amenities: “The Talcott’s outside patio is delightful. There’s a fireplace, white Adirondack chairs, Edison-bulb string lights, heaters—it’s great for coffee breaks or will seat about 60 for lunch,” she says. “I love it for a rehearsal dinner, and cocktail hours are amazing out there, with a sweet view of the village.”

“Guests absolutely want to get outdoors and play,” Jensen says. Tommy’s Walloon has your group covered for water sport activities like boat rentals, kayaks and stand-up SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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paddleboards. Another special offering in summer and fall: complimentary steamboat rides around the lake for the guests.

NEW IN 2020 The hotel’s upscale Barrel Back Restaurant has a new food truck that can make your party mobile. Jensen says guests have booked it to park at the hotel patio and the Village Green Park for picnic-style fun or even off-site at a local winery, where they can nosh on bam-bam shrimp, smoked brisket, mac ‘n’ cheese and customized gluten-free and vegetarian fare.

LOCALS LOVE Jensen says guests love getting in on the fun, “Especially quirky hometown festivals like the National Morel Mushroom Festival, Petoskey’s restaurant open houses and the card-gameby-boat, Walloon Lake Poker Run.” HOT TIP Don’t miss a group dinner or event at the hotel’s sister property, Walloon Lake Inn. “The sunsets are incredible yearround and you can have the indoor/outdoor space,” Jensen says. “I’d start at ‘Walloon Wine Time’ at three o’clock, and stay through for a fine dining experience.”

QUICK FACTS » Meeting space: The Talcott Event Space has 3,410 square feet. » Heads in beds: The hotel can accommodate 90 guests. » Getting there: 1 hour and 18 minutes from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport and 40 minutes from Pellston Regional Airport. Private planes can fly into Gaylord.

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/WalloonLake

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Meetings

» IRON FISH DISTILLERY

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

PHOTOS FROM LEFT: MAE STIER // COURTNEY JEROME

TH OM P SO NVI LLE

Crystal Mountain has long been a beloved meetings destination. With copious traditional event space (from boardrooms to banquets), abundant lodging, an on-site golf course and ski resort, spa and recreation amenities plus a robust food and beverage tradition, it’s a no-brainer for meeting the needs of any traditional meeting planner.

But Crystal Mountain has been thinking outside the ballroom box for more than 20 years, and it’s the perfect place for any organization looking to do the same—especially if they want to embrace the Michigan outdoors.

“This is a wellness place,” says Sammie Lukaskiewicz, director of public relations. “It can work for anybody, but we can really tailor things to that. You can’t be in this setting without taking advantage of the outdoor and recreational opportunities.”

In fact, outdoor adventures shape a lot of meeting agendas.

For example, Arah Johnson, director of sales, notes her clients frequently plan sessions in the morning, leaving 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. open for skiing in winter, or hiking and biking in summer, then regrouping later for a short evening work session. Want to team-build? They’ve got staff on hand to facilitate activities galore, including Michigan’s only alpine slide and a short aerial adventure course. If you want to process and reflect, there are quiet spaces, walking trails and the forested Michigan Legacy Art Park, a 30-acre sculpture park tucked into the surrounding woods.

The best part about Crystal Mountain and its all-at-one-site amenities, says Johnson, is that it’s turnkey—meeting planners don’t have to worry that they’re going to lose attendees to off-site distractions such as bar crawls or shopping. “We make it easy to plan activities that keep the meeting going—inside the boardroom and beyond.”

CASE STUDY Johnson convinced a group of conservative, high-level insurance execs to book a mountaintop reception and the alpine slide for attendees’ families. “I warned them the adults would love it, too,” Johnson says. And she was right. The SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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adults had a great time at their event but were quick to abandon the grown-up activities and take over the slide for an uproarious night. It was such a hit that when the group planned their meeting for the next year, they had vendors fighting to outbid each other to sponsor the slide activity for the evening.

NEW IN 2020 Additions include a rooftop terrace with twinkle-light seating, Bru Bar (“brew bar” with specialty coffees and a full bar) and 25 new lodging rooms.

LOCALS LOVE Iron Fish Distillery and its farm-to-table spirits (the barn makes for awesome additional event space) and nearby Frankfort’s popular Stormcloud Brewing Company for craft beer and bites like flatbread pizzas.

HOT TIP “Have a winter meeting if you can,” Johnson says. Winter is considered peak season, but in midweek there are great deals to be had. “There’s no better place to be than at a ski resort, and it’s not just for skiers. Fat tire biking, cross-country skiing, the spa, roaring fires ... the energy, activity and vibe are just perfect.”

QUICK FACTS » Meeting space range of size: 300–6,500 square feet » Meeting space total square feet: 21,629 » Heads in beds: Resort sleeps 1,500 people, but ideal meeting capacity is 10–350 » Getting there: 30 minutes from Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/Thompsonville

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Meetings » PEACEFUL SETTINGS (THAT ARE CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN!)

TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL

PHOTOS FROM LEFT: COURTESY OF TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL // DAVE WEIDNER

WI LLIA M S B U RG

Letting you in on a secret: Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel is not just for gamers. More and more, motor coach groups are making this hotel/casino, on the edge of Traverse City, an overnight stop on tours throughout the area, while social and corporate groups are finding their way to gather, stay and play all under one roof.

Welcoming these groups is a part of a newer effort by Turtle Creek, one that extends to helping meeting planners spend time both on-site and at its nearby sister property, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. “The gaming floor and sports bar offer built-in entertainment for groups, and that lessens the pressure of planning and finding off-property entertainment options,” says Sales Manager Nick LaDrig.

Thanks to a partnership with its sister property, meeting planners can utilize both Turtle Creek and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, and are encouraged to think of the two resorts as one big campus, with convenient shuttles for golf, shopping or spa visits.

But, of course, the main draw of Turtle Creek is still the no-holds-barred fun and dazzle of a gaming floor right on-site—a one-of-a-kind source for easy team bonding and entertainment to treat hard-working groups to a little R&R. CASE STUDY A prominent Northern Michigan nonprofit group held its annual fundraising dinner for more than 250 people at Turtle Creek last spring. “This group utilized all of our event space in a dynamic way with a flow from one area to another,” LaDrig says. “For example, an outdoor patio area offered appetizers, the connected Onyx Sports Bar provided a full SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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bar with wine tasting and our ballroom held a large banquet of local foods prepared by award-winning chefs followed by a live auction of once-in-a-lifetime items and experiences.”

The nonprofit is already making plans to return this year.

NEW IN 2020 Plans are in the works for hotel renovations as well as updating meeting and banquet capabilities.

LOCALS LOVE Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel is situated among rolling hills and orchards, stands of stunning sugar maples, and sits just a few minutes from Sand Lakes Quiet Area, a 2,800-acre state forest haven with 7.4 miles of peaceful, winding trails. After a hike, area wineries and breweries make a refreshing stop.

HOT TIP “Fall color season is very popular in the area, so book early for those dates,” LaDrig advises.

QUICK FACTS » Heads in beds: 130 rooms » Ballroom: 4,000 square feet » Conference room: 550 square feet » Getting there: 10 minutes from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/TraverseCity

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TAKE HOME NORTHERN MICHIGAN Subscribe your clients to Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine for just $18 when you order more than 6 subscriptions and they will also receive 6 issues of Northern Home & Cottage, the Vacation Guides and 10 other special sections.

Email info@mynorth.com for more information.

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Meetings & Seminars • Special Events • Corporate Events • Hotel Accommodations Restaurants • 36 holes of Championship Golf • Professional Meeting Planners Otsego Resort is Northern Michigan’s Ultimate Corporate Retreat conveniently located at the outskirts of Gaylord, Michigan. We offer a relaxing yet professional environment to accommodate a wide array of business meetings and functions. Our professional and attentive staff will assist you in making your event a success

989.732.5181 • otsegoresort.com

696 M32 E Gaylord MI 49735

MyNorth Meetings 2020

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Meetings

Pictured Rocks NL

NORTHERN MICHIGAN AREA AIRPORTS Christmas Munising

Sault Ste. Marie Brimley

Newberry

75

Cherry Capital Airport 231.947.2250; tvcairport.com AIRLINES: Delta, United, American Airlines

Hessel Manistique

2

DAILY FLIGHTS TO: Chicago, Detroit Mackinac Island

Drummond YEAR-ROUND: Chicago, Detroit, Sarasota Island SEASONAL SERVICE: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver,

St. Ignace

LAKE HURON Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington Dulles,

Gladstone

Newark, New Jersey, New York LaGuardia Escanaba

LAKE MICHIGAN

Cheboygan

PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT

MAP AREA

CAR RENTALS: Avis (231.946.1222), Budget

(231.947.3883), Enterprise (231.922.2800), Hertz (231.946.7051), National/Alamo (231.947.1560)

Pellston

Harbor Springs

Petoskey Charlevoix GRAND TRAVERSE BAY Boyne City

Mt. Pleasant

Pellston Regional Airport 231.539.8441; pellstonairport.com

Northport Peshawbestown

131

AIRLINES: Delta Connections Gaylord

Suttons Bay

NUMBER OF DAILY FLIGHTS TO:

75

Traverse City Acme

31

Manistee

CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT-TVC

MANISTEE COUNTY BLACKER AIRPORT

Detroit: 2-4 daily (varies seasonally) Lewiston

Kalkaska

CAR RENTALS/TRANSPORTATION:

Avis (231.539.8302), Hertz (231.539.8404), Mackinaw Shuttle (231.539.7005)

Grayling

Manistee County Blacker Airport Houghton Lake

Cadillac

231.723.4351; flymanistee.com AIRLINES: PublicCharters/North Country Sky NUMBER OF DAILY FLIGHTS TO:

Service to Chicago Midway CAR RENTALS/TRANSPORTATION:

Mowry Rental (231.723.4351)

Ludington

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY 123 Speakeasy (page 2) 231.753.8841 123speakeasy.com

The Corner Loft (page 19) 231.715.6543 cornerlofttc.com

Crystal Mountain (page 14) 855.734.1379 crystalmountain.com

Grand Hotel (Back Cover) 517.349.4600 grandhotel.com/meetings

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Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (page 8-9) 800.748.0303 grandtraverseresort.com/meetings

The Homestead (page 10) 231.334.5300 thehomesteadresort.com

Hotel Indigo (page 2) 231.932.0500 hotelindigo.com/TraverseCityMI

Mission Point (Inside Front Cover) 906.430.4561 missionpoint.com

The Music House Museum

Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel (page 16) 800.922.2946 turtlecreekcasino.com

(page 6) 231.938.9300 musichouse.org

Otsego Resort (page 19) 989.732.5181 otsegoresort.com

Hotel Walloon

Park Place Hotel & Convention Center

(page 12) 231.751.1181 hotelwalloon.com

(page 6) 231.946.5000 park-place-hotel.com

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Meetings

» UNFORGETTABLE VIEWS

» CARRIAGE TOURS

GRAND HOTEL

PHOTOS FROM LEFT: DANIEL OSWALT // KELLY REWA

M ACK I NAC I S L AN D

A successful meeting often means slowing down and seeing the world in a completely different way. And what better place than an island—one with enduring elegance and deep roots in the past, where the pace of life is measured in the slow clops of a carriage horse’s hooves?

Mackinac Island makes for a one-of-a-kind meeting getaway, and the grand dame destination is Grand Hotel herself, the historic 1887 hotel that’s home to the world’s most famous front porch and has a history of old-fashioned hospitality.

“It’s a feeling that you get,” says Ken Hayward, executive vice president and managing director of the hotel. “You take a deep breath, stand on the porch, look out over the gardens and the water beyond and you’re transported ... a lot of companies come here for meetings because they want their attendees to experience that. You dress for dinner, you stand a little straighter—guests feel special.”

Part of the magic for guests is that the meeting spaces are distinct and unique—no air walls separating you from the meeting next door—ranging from elegant, antique-filled hospitality suites to a theater or formal dining room. No matter which you choose, the atmosphere is undeniably that of Grand Hotel.

“Imagine being in a meeting all day,” Hayward says, “and you walk out and there’s afternoon tea with a harpist playing.

Or you just wander out to the porch and grab a rocking chair and a beverage and reconnect with your family, gazing out over the geraniums and the gardens.”

Annual meetings at the hotel are so treasured that they’ve become a legacy for many companies—some groups returning year after year, for decades.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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CASE STUDY The Michigan Health and Hospital Association has been coming to Grand Hotel for 98 years. When CEO Brian Peters took the job several years ago, his predecessor told him, “Look, you can do anything you want, the only thing you can’t do is screw up the summer meeting at Grand Hotel.”

LOCALS LOVE Starting the day with breakfast at the Chuckwagon, a little diner downtown, and ending the day at the hotel’s cupola for sunset.

HOT TIP “If you want to do something unforgettable, plan an event at our stable,” Hayward says. The beautiful, state-of-the-art working stable is home to a historic collection of 100-yearold carriages and the hotel’s enormous draft horses. Recent guests planned an event there with music and a menu of grilled whitefish and corn on the cob. “It was the night they couldn’t stop talking about,” he says.

QUICK FACTS » Total meeting space: 22,000 square feet under one roof » Total guest rooms: 397 » Getting there: Sky West (Delta) serves Pellston Regional Airport, with shuttle service to the ferry docks available.

I-75 brings you directly to the ferry docks of both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.

Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/Mackinac

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M AKE YOUR MEETING GR A ND Located on Mackinac Island overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, Grand Hotel provides the perfect location for your next meeting, reunion or special occasion. With historic charm, unique accommodations, activities and personal service from a dedicated convention manager, America’s Summer Place offers an unforgettable experience for every guest.

grandhotel.com/meetings

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