Michigan Meetings + Events Fall 2019 by Greenspring Media

SPREAD THE WORD

Get an inside look at the marketing strategy behind 5 annual events (37)

FUN IN FUNDRAISING

Industry pros share tips and best practices for planning charitable events (45)

MERRY & BRIGHT

Find the perfect venue to host a festive fete (24)

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // F A L L 2 0 1 9

Lakeside Locale BOYNE COUNTRY BOASTS A CONVENIENT AND QUAINT LOCATION (30)

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Connect + Collaborate A restored landmark in the heart of downtown, The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit provides an energized setting for meetings and events of all sizes. Across over 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, this historic hotel offers 20 versatile venues that can accommodate up to 800 attendees. These dynamic spaces are enhanced by state-of-the-art technology, locally sourced catering and thoughtful service. In addition, 435 guestrooms and suites have been smartly designed to help guests recharge at the end of a productive day.

THE WESTIN BOOK CADILLAC DETROIT

1114 Washington Boulevard Detroit, MI 48226 United States T +1 313.442.1600 marriott.com/dtwcw

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T:792 pt

B:810 pt

AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT EXPERIENCE Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a top cultural destination in the Midwest— and an extraordinary place for your next event. With a 158-acre campus showcasing our incredible gardens and internationally acclaimed sculpture park, Meijer Gardens is an award-winning venue that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

We offer flexible indoor event spaces and unique outdoor spaces. Our entire facility is available for an exclusive affair or an intimate dinner. In addition to complimentary admission for your guests for the duration of your event, you’ll enjoy: • Event coordinating services to guide you effortlessly through the planning process • State-of-the-art AV equipment and certified technician services • Excellent in-house catering, or choose from our select list of premier caterers • Special corporate discounts ranging from 5% to 15% off room rental charges • Free parking for all of your guests

LEARN MORE AT MEIJERGARDENS.ORG/HOST OR CALL 616-975-3146. 1000 EAST BELTLINE NE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525 |

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#MEIJERGARDENS

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pleasure doing doing business business It’s where everything comes together. Where meetings are conducted with rhythm and grace. Where even before you meet and shake hands, you all begin to realize that you’re in a pre y great place.

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“America’s Prettiest Towns” FORBES MAGAZINE

Let us help you plan your next meeting! Great Gathering Places Historic Downtown Unique Dutch Attractions Award-Winning Community 1650 Hotel Rooms

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800.506.1299 • holland.org • wendy@holland.org

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Fall 2019 MICHIGAN MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES

Marketing & Promotion Planners behind five popular major events offer advice to drive awareness. By Roger Gordon

For a Good Cause Fundraising experts share best practices for planning charitable events. By Anne Nagro

DEPARTMENTS 22 TREND REPORT Tips from meeting pros on effectively executing their plans with clients. By Roger Gordon

24 MEET & EAT How planning that perfect holiday gathering can be a piece of cake. By Khristi S. Zimmeth 30 DESTINATION Boyne Country sports the ideal lakeside location and is ready to show it off. By Bill Semion 64 PROFILE Meet Grand Rapids hotelier extraordinaire Ryan Schmied. By Megan Swoyer

P H O T O S : A R I S I N G I M A G E S ; B R I A N WA LT E R S ; T U L I P T I M E F E S T I VA L

8 EDITOR’S LETTER

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THE ALL-NEW

25,000 square feet of remodeled space State-of-the-art Crestron® sound system Vibrant “lake effect” design theme New air walls and LED lighting Private meeting planner office

P H O T O S : A R I S I N G I M A G E S ; B R I A N WA LT E R S ; T U L I P T I M E F E S T I VA L

All-new digital signage

MEETINGS MODERNIZED New look, long history. For over 30 years, Governors’ Hall at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has been Northern Michigan’s premier meeting destination. Newly renovated with updates to technology, services, and design—along with a brand-new meeting planner office—Governors’ Hall is ready for the future. See the transformation at grandtraverseresort.com/governorshall.

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

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Fall

2019

MEETING NOTES 11 MEET SMART Three wearable gadgets designed to elevate attendee engagement By Kassidy Tarala

12 FACILITY UPDATE Party at the Automotive Hall of Fame alongside historic auto giants. By Megan Ekstrand

13 RENOVATIONS Redesigned Cornman Farms venue makes you feel right at home. By Megan Swoyer

14 NEW HOTEL Shinola Hotel shines with creative catering and venue choices. By Khristi S. Zimmeth 16 VENUE SPOTLIGHT Downtown Market features vibrant spaces in the heart of Grand Rapids. By Megan Ekstrand

18 EXPERT ADVICE It’s time to engage in meaningful dialogue to help shape better meetings. By Carol Galle, CMP

52 INFOGRAPHIC “Room Block of the Future” reveals booking trends of large-scale, urban convention attendees. Rese a rch cou r t es y

56 REGIONAL NEWS What’s happening around the state. Compi led by

ON THE COVER

Ron Ga rbi n sk i

Kayaking the rivers and lakes around the Petoskey area is a popular activity. Photo by Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

of K a l ibr i L abs a nd P r i sm Adv i sor y Group; f u nded by P CM A Fou ndat ion , N YC & Compa ny a nd H i lt on

62 SNAPSHOTS Photos from the MIM+E Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards celebration

P H O T O S : M A R TA P E R E Z P H O T O G R A P H Y ; N I C O L E F R A N Z E N ; G R A N D R A P I D S D OW N TOW N M A R K E T

INDUSTRY UPDATE

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P H O T O S : M A R TA P E R E Z P H O T O G R A P H Y ; N I C O L E F R A N Z E N ; G R A N D R A P I D S D OW N TOW N M A R K E T

Welcome to the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomfield Hills Detroit Offering eight meeting rooms totaling 12,000 square feet of newly renovated event space and an exquisite outdoor courtyard, the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomfield Hills Detroit is Oakland County’s premier place to meet. The on-site restaurant, Zalman’s, offers an old-world delicatessen experience, while The Duke lobby bar is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail in-between meetings. 144 completely updated guest rooms provide absolute comfort to your out-of-town guests. Our in-house catering and events team will coordinate the perfect corporate event while you sit back and take care of business as usual in a space that’s anything but.

Book 20 or more rooms and receive: • One complimentary guest room • $50 gift certificate to Zalman’s • A one-hour welcome reception

39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 www.doubletreebloomfieldhills.com . 248.644.1400

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(Book between now and March 31, 2020)

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Ron Garbinski, editor

RON.GAR B INSK I@T I GE R OA K.CO M

IT’S ENCOURAGING TO SEE collaboration paying off for Michigan’s tourism industry. As one who participated in the formative years of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM), it’s been exciting to see the influential growth of this impressive group, from a handful of members some 30-plus years ago to more than 50 big names today. Active supporters range from convention and visitor bureaus, industry associations and hospitality organizations, to festivals and events, attractions and meeting facilitators. Its mission has remained pretty solid since the beginning: to strengthen Michigan’s travel and tourism industry as a vital component of economic Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel development and quality of life through govern- Michigan, and TICOM President Julie mental advocacy, public relations, collaboration, and Pingston, senior vice president of the Greater Lansing CVB, worked together on other promotional and educational efforts. recognizing National Travel and Tourism From this collection of many diverse voices and Week in Michigan last May. mixed perspectives often comes a united position on, for example, how Michigan’s legislative actions and travel and tourism issues should impact state and local economies. Collective advocacy, for sure, plays an important role in the group’s successful activities today. Those efforts impact all of us in the meetings and events slice of the industry as well. With the affable and cooperation-driven Larisa Draves, CMP in the executive director role, and current president Julie Pingston, senior vice president of the Greater Lansing CVB, spearheading this year’s TICOM goals, the group is extending its reach beyond Michigan’s borders. Part of this comes from TICOM’s ongoing engagement in the annual National Travel and Tourism Week celebrated back in May. This observance was established 36 years ago to unite communities across the country in celebrating the countless ways travel enhances economic growth, American jobs and personal well-being. Draves says one of the big benefits of better engagement with national partners in the program is the opportunity to discover how effective organizations in other states are working to promote the many aspects of travel and tourism, and how those organizations address local issues. It’s a launchpad for connecting with, and learning from, other travel influencers and tourism leaders from around the globe. We applaud TICOM members and Draves for their efforts to strengthen Michigan’s incredible tourism/meetings industry and encourage them to continue on their path to even greater collaboration and outreach. A world of exciting and different ideas awaits.

Find, Friend, Follow

Find us online at mi.meetingsmags.com, and make sure to “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to stay in the loop between issues. /MIMEE TINGSMAGS

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P H O T O : T O U R I S M C O A LT I O N O F M I C H I G A N

Paths to Cooperation

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FALL 2019

“

If you could immediately gain one new skill, what would it be?

”

mi.meetingsmags.com EDITOR

Public speaking

Ron Garbinski

To speak Morgan Halaska fluent Italian Megan Gosch Kassidy Tarala Julianna Fazio Carole Galle, CMP, Roger Gordon, Elise Keith, Anne Nagro, Bill Semion, Megan Swoyer, Khristi S. Zimmeth EDITORIAL INTERNS Megan Ekstrand, Sophie Jonsson MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Traci Bahlman, Holiday Market Catering • Paul Brown Greg DeSandy, Cobo Center • Larisa Draves, Draves & Associates • Carol Galle, CMP, Special D Events Lyn Gleasure, Bedrock Detroit • Janet Korn, Experience Grand Rapids • Lindsay Krause, Special D Events John Kuithe, Hospitality Specialists • David C. McKnight, Emerald City Designs Kat Paye, National Cherry Festival DESIGN DIRECTOR ART DIRECTORS

Courtney Nielsen Traci Zellmann, Taylor Kilgore, Olivia Curti

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PROJECT COORDINATOR

Dianne Talmage Brittni Dye

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST

Jeremy Wieland Emily O’Connell

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CREDIT MANAGER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST

Leanne Warzeka April McCauley Jared Lawson

WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Sandy Powell Angela Beissel

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER– NATIONAL SALES Laurie Burger 586.416.4195 laurieburger@comcast.net

Speed reading Patience

I would love to have the skill to sing and play piano.

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Connect and Collaborate With over 47,718 square feet of flexible event and lobby space—including our Executive Meeting Center—The Westin Southfield Detroit offers an unsurpassed experience for conferences, meetings and other events, providing flawless execution, revitalizing food and beverage breaks, and modern amenities. Relax and refresh in our completely renovated guestrooms featuring all new Heavenly® Beds and Heavenly® Baths. To book your stay or for more information on planning your event, visit marriott.com/dtwwi or call 248.827.4000

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

Meeting Notes FACILITY UPDATE 12

RENOVATIONS 13

VENUE SPOTLIGHT 16

EXPERT ADVICE 18

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klik badge

MEET SMART

P H O T O S : AV E N T R I , E X P E R I E N T, C R Y S TA L I N T E R A C T I V E

Try these wearable gadgets to elevate attendee engagement. The moment a meeting attendee walks through the door, they should feel engaged. Whether they’re looking for educational sessions to attend, in search of networking opportunities or just want more information about others in the industry, attendees need to be equipped to make the most of the meeting. From badges to buttons, here are some wearable technology products to make your next event as smart as your attendees.

AV E N T R I S M A R T TA G

Dubbed the “attendee’s digital business card,” the Aventri Smart Tag allows attendees to connect with others via Bluetooth technology. Meeting attendees can virtually exchange contact information, share marketing materials, and record connections they make, sessions they attend and exhibitors they visit.

EVENTBIT

To personalize large events, show organizers can record data to understand what attendees are and are not engaging with on the show floor. When attendees wear eventBit technology, exhibit sales staff can record traffic flow, marketers can understand attendee engagement and personalize messaging, and educators can gauge what sessions are popular with what types of attendees.

KLIK

With a badge, wristband and button, klik has something for everyone’s event experience. Once an attendee has chosen one of klik’s wearables, they can begin exchanging digital contact information and engaging with digitized event materials, such as exhibitor infor-

mation or presentation slides. For planners, klik streamlines event registration, programming, networking, location services, attendee tracking and gamification on one event engagement platform. —Kassidy Tarala

Get Connected AVENTRI SMART TAG aventri.com/products/smart-tag EVENTBIT eventbit.experient-inc.com KLIK crystalinteractive.net/event-technology/ smart-wearables

MI.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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A lively reception among the hall’s historical exhibits.

Former Gov. Rick Snyder conducted a press conference at the facility.

FACILITY UPDATE»

REV IT UP

DEARBORN’S AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME INVITES GUESTS TO CELEBRATE ALONGSIDE HISTORIC AUTO GIANTS. B Y M E G A N E K S T R A N D THE HISTORY-LACED AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME offers an immersive experience for guests to get close with the Fords, Dodges and other famous industry legends.

“We’re a unique, automotive-themed museum with contemporary architecture that provides an event space that’s different from anything else in the metropolitan Detroit area,” says Kathy Bastien, special events manager. In celebration of the success and history of the motor vehicle industry, the Automotive Hall of Fame honors the men and women whose innovative contributions have revolutionized the American way of life. Although the museum’s Dearborn location opened in 1997, the Automotive Hall of Fame’s history dates back to 1939. Called “Automobile Old Timers” back then, this original group took it upon themselves to perpetrate and honor the success of automotive innovators. Located adjacent to the Henry Ford Museum, the 25,000-square-foot contemporary structure provides spaces for a variety of events. The facility can accommodate up to 350 people and includes access to a large ceremony space, auditorium, outdoor courtyard and 35-person conference room. Events can even be hosted within the exhibits. For those looking to rev it up, the museum offers an interactive strolling dinner option in which guests can browse the historical exhibits during their meal. The private, nonprofit organization has hosted events from auto summits and seminars to bar mitzvahs and alumni functions. The Hall of Fame continues to honor the past and future of automotive innovation internationally and locally. In 2016, for example, it was the backdrop for then Gov. Rick Snyder as he signed a group of bills that helped to place Michigan as a future leader in the development and testing of self-driving vehicles. Radiating a theme of innovation and creativity, the facility is an inspiring museum and venue, says Kerry Doyle, the Hall of Fame’s marketing director. “Our mandate is to increase the public’s understanding of the contribution that the international motor vehicle industry has had on our freedom of personal mobility and on our high standard of living. In the process of preserving international motor vehicle industry history, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to shaping a better future for all.”

Get Connected AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME automotivehalloffame.org | 313.240.4000

P H OTO S : JA S O N LO U D E R M I L K P H OTO G R A P H Y; ( O P P O S I T E ) M A R TA P E R E Z P H O T O G R A P H Y

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

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P H OTO S : JA S O N LO U D E R M I L K P H OTO G R A P H Y; ( O P P O S I T E ) M A R TA P E R E Z P H O T O G R A P H Y

The remodeled dining room and the upstairs lounge (left).

RENOVATIONS»

COR NM A N FA R MS

THIS REDESIGNED COUNTRY VENUE MAKES YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. BY MEGA N SWOY ER

IN 1834, A CLASSIC Greek Revival Farmhouse was built and three years later a gorgeous barn was constructed on the same property. That was the same year that Michigan became a state. Fastforward 185 years, and today the Dexter facility, called Zingerman’s Cornman Farms about 10 miles from downtown Ann Arbor, attracts meetings and special events throughout the year. Recently, the quintessential farmhouse was given an interior makeover by former editor-in-chief of Domino magazine-turnedcreative-consultant Michelle Adams, and her design partner, Emily Schoen of The Maryn in Ann Arbor. Their mission was to take the farmhouse, which was basically a blank slate, and design purposeful rooms that made it feel like a home again. Adams and Schoen redesigned seven

rooms, including a cozy library that houses the owner’s cookbook collection. It’s just one of the many spaces that can accommodate members of an off-site meeting. “The Farmhouse can accommodate 75 guests for a strolling event and 50 guests for a seated event,” says Jamie Gray, Zingerman’s Cornman Farms marketing and communications manager. The end result of the redesign perfectly reflects the personality of the venue’s owner and executive chef, Kieron Hales, who hails from Devon, England. The eclectic interiors are representative of an English country estate, juxtaposing quirky antiques with sleek modern shapes. Incidentally, in 2008, Hales joined food emporium Zingerman’s and became executive chef of Zingerman’s Roadhouse, then opened the current Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. “The designers understood my personality and heritage and translated it into the design of the Farmhouse,” says Hales, whose career began in England at the age of 13, when he went to the Specialized Chefs School in Bournemouth. Upon graduating, he joined

the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts at age 17 and embarked on a career that has taken him around the globe. Of note: The celebrated chef has cooked for the British Royal family and three U.S. presidents. “Our venue hosts some very important events, and thus we wanted to keep the design very elegant and classy. Yet, I am often described as quite a quirky, energetic and sometimes nostalgic individual, and the designers wanted to reflect that. The end result is a quintessential English home with some wonderfully eccentric and whimsical accents,” Hales says. Since the redesign, he adds, guests who’ve hosted or attended events here never want to leave. "When you host an event at Cornman Farms, we want you to feel as if you are at the home of a family member,” Hales says, “a place that is always warm, welcoming and serving incredibly delicious food."

Get Connected ZINGERMAN’S CORNMAN FARMS zingermanscornmanfarms.com | 734.619.8100

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W B G

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

The Shinola’s Bixby Hall decked out for another dining event.

NEW HOTEL»

Urban Options

SHINOLA HOTEL SHINES WITH CREATIVE CATERING AND VENUE CHOICES. DOWNTOWN DETROIT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE, with more venue options than ever before. One of the most exciting is the shiny new Shinola Hotel, which opened in January of 2019. The stylish 129-room hotel on Woodward Avenue “is a fresh face,” according to account executive Katherine Hartley, as well as one with 16,000 square feet of retail and food and beverage space. “In addition to a unique collection of meeting and event venues, the thoughtfully designed hotel offers creative catering options and personalized service for an unparalleled holiday party,” she says. “The warmth and elegance of the hotel's design, done by Gachot, lends itself as a perfect space to host a memorable party during the cold Detroit winters.” Chef Andrew Carmellini of the NoHo Hospitality Group oversees the food and beverage offerings, including San Morello, a

Southern Italian restaurant serving authentic, wood-fired dishes, pizzas and housemade pastas using local, seasonal ingredients. On-site spaces include the Evening Bar, a comfortable, classic American bar serving seasonally crafted cocktails and bar bites; the Brakeman, an American beer hall featuring rotating drafts of craft beers from the Midwest; Penny Red’s, a fried chicken restaurant that serves buckets of fried chicken, honey-butter biscuits, and local farm stand

sides; the Living Room off the lobby; and the banquet/event spaces that include the sunroom-style Birdy Room, which accommodates 180 standing-style and 70 seated, and Bixby Hall, which accommodates 100 to 180 guests. SEAT TLE “Many of these spaces can be rented out for private events and include different menu offerings,” Hartley says. She’s especially fond of the Birdy Room, a “unique event space that features vaulted glass ceilings. The bright and airy conservatory offers a verdant and refreshing respite from the energy of downtown and is perfect for taking in the beautiful snowfall during winter,” she says. And what could be merrier than that?

Get Connected SAN F R ANCISCO

Shinola Hotel | shinolahotel.com | 313.356.1400

P H OTO : N I CO L E F R A N Z E N

BY KHRISTI ZIMMETH

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PHOEN

WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE #LOVELANSING, MICHIGAN

MACKI NAW CI T Y

P H OTO : N I CO L E F R A N Z E N

TR AVERSE CI T Y GR AND R API DS CHI C AGO D E NVE R

Award-Winning Experts*

*Voted Best Large CVB in Michigan Two Years Running

I NDI ANAPOLI S

DETROI T CLE VEL AND 90 FORT WAYNE COLUMB US CI NCI NNATI 300

Central Location Boosts Attendance

B OSTON

NE W YO RK

WASHI NGTON D.C.

Access to Thought Leaders at Michigan State University

600

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

VENUE SPOTLIGHT»

A GREENHOUSE GATHERING THE DOWNTOWN MARKET OFFERS VIBRANT SPACES IN THE HEART OF GRAND RAPIDS.

Promoters like to say that no two events are alike at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, just south of the city’s central business district. With several friendly indoor and outdoor spaces, including a greenhouse and a hands-on teaching kitchen, the lively center strives to offer a new twist for every event. This modern, multiuse complex, built in 2013, generated new energy for the redeveloping area parallel to U.S. 131 several blocks south of the Van Andel Arena. The market seeks to nurture a healthier community and economy with its fresh, local food Market Hall, featuring more than 20 vendors, two full-service restaurants and a Market Shed space for artisan vendor markets. Above the bustling hall, the second level’s large banquet space, greenhouse, garden room, teaching kitchen, two terraces and two smaller meeting rooms add to the flexibility and lure of the fun destination. The iconic rooftop greenhouse can accommodate 150 people cocktail-style. “Our greenhouse is a unique, stunning scene for a ceremony, reception or private party, with the option of adding on the Garden Room next door for extra space or a cocktail hour. Inside the greenhouse, lush plants surround guests, along with natural light during the day and city views at night,” says Katie Clark, the market’s beverage and events manager. For larger events, the banquet space spotlights the Grand Rapids cityscape through its floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces available as an add-on. Having planned several events at the Downtown Market, Kaitlynn Lamie, co-owner of A Lovely Day, says “the Banquet room provides the perfect modern blank slate with neutral coloring and beautiful natural light, it's a space that can both stand on its own and be totally transformed.” The space accommodates 180 people at round tables and 250 cocktail-style. For a more interactive twist, the Downtown Market allows groups to rent its multistation teaching kitchen for some tasty fun. These cooking and cocktail classes are delightful for celebrations or team-building events. “Our chefs will take your guests through a full menu, a dessert medley or some specially themed cocktails, and then let the group enjoy the results of their hard work,” says Clark. By offering catering from one of the market’s many vendors, providing lot parking for guests and allowing for customization of the spaces, the Downtown Market events team aims to take the guesswork out of planning, she says. All of the market’s spaces and offerings are supported by its environmentally sustainable facilities. The state-of-the-art complex maintains a LEED Gold Certification with features green roofs and walls, LED lighting, geothermal wells, a rainwater harvesting tank, and energy-efficient walls, roofs and windows.

Get Connected From top to bottom: The rooftop greenhouse and adjoining Garden Room.

DOWNTOWN MARKET GRAND RAPIDS downtownmarketgr.com | 616.805.5308

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BY MEGAN EKSTR AND

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FOR PROOF ONLY - PROOF 1 Ad will run: Michigan Meetings + Events, Fall 2019 Ad Size: 1/2 horizontal 7”x4.875” This proof does not reflect the image quality of the final printed piece. Photos or images may appear fuzzy due to the low-res format of this file. ABBY R OSE PHOTO

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This proof does not reflect the image quality of the final printed piece. Photos or images may appear fuzzy due to the low-res format of this file.

David C. McKnight Owner

FOR PROOF ONLY - PROOF 1

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Ad will run: Michigan Meetings + Events, Fall 2019 Ad Size: 1/2 horizontal 7”x4.875” This proof does not reﬂect the image quality of the ﬁnal printed piece.

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

EXPERT ADVICE»

Let’s Talk

I once managed a conference for a group of 100 high-level members of the U.S. defense industry. When I poked my head into the back of the room during the plenary session, I was overwhelmed by the gravity of the presenter’s content. But even more concerning was that few people appeared to be paying attention. From my vantage point, I could see that the majority of participants were on their phones and tablets engaged in everything from social media to email to creating a PowerPoint presentation. These were the very people responsible for keeping us safe. Yet, most of them were either too busy or uninterested to absorb the content that was being presented. It was sobering. Think about the tiny rush we all get before clicking “register now” or that RSVP button. In that moment, we are so optimistic that the event will prove valuable and our time will be well spent. Certainly, as meeting and event professionals, we want to provide that value and high level of service. But, as Danny Meyer says, “service is a

monologue; hospitality is a dialogue.” Meyer, a New York City restaurateur and CEO of the Union Square Hospitality Group who runs both fine dining restaurants and Shake Shack, is legendary for his hospitality. For planners, that dialogue begins with the meeting design. It’s so important to seek audience input even before booking that very first speaker. Yes, it takes time. Yes, the results may not be what leadership wants to hear. But with data in hand, planners can make informed decisions and transform the participant experience. Sending preconference surveys to members, prior-year attendees and/or invited guests is a simple, affordable way to seek feedback on proposed content, potential presenters, or even meeting locations. There are also simple, affordable ways to give participants a chance to “build their own” experience. For instance, the Sustainable Brands conference facilitates “Birds of a Feather” dinners in which any attendee can write the topic of their choice on a blank sign-up sheet. He/she chooses a

restaurant and a reservation is booked for the total number of people who add their name to the list. Sustainable Brand planners report these dinners are some of the most popular conference offerings, year after year. Or, why not give participants a chance to choose their own mode of transportation? Personally, I am a fan of group transportation because we can make sure it’s reliable, on time and, of course, weather resistant. But we find today’s business travelers crave exploration; they want to leave a city with a true sense of its personality. The Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, for example, provides a useful complimentary tool-pocket-size mobility maps with every option for moving around “The D,” from the QLine streetcar along the main Woodward Avenue corridor to rideshare services to the ever-expanding number of scooters that dot the downtown area. By nature, “build your own” makes planners like me cringe. But, for the health of our industry, let’s be bold! Meaningful dialogue will improve everyone’s return on investment.

CAROL GALLE, CMP IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SPECIAL D EVENTS, A BUSINESS MEETING AND SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND DETROIT DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY, BASED IN FERNDALE. SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE MICHIGAN MEETINGS + EVENTS HALL OF FAME AND EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD.

P H OTO S : U N S P L A S H .CO M / L I A M M A R T E N S ; U N S P L A S H . C O M /A N N I E S P R AT T ; U N S P L A S H . C O M / P R I S C I L L A D U P R E E Z

MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE HELPS CHANGE DYNAMICS OF HOW EFFECTIVE AN EVENT CAN BE. B Y C A R O L G A L L E , C M P

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P H OTO S : U N S P L A S H .CO M / L I A M M A R T E N S ; U N S P L A S H . C O M /A N N I E S P R AT T ; U N S P L A S H . C O M / P R I S C I L L A D U P R E E Z

MEETINGS WITH A VIEW

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Over 9,500 Sq Ft of meeting space 92 guestrooms with balconies Outdoor event space on the harbor Advance audio visual capabilities FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT events@innatharborshores.com

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

PLANNING TIPS»

TIME FOR CHANGE

EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO MODERNIZE YOUR MEETINGS FOR 2020. B Y E L I S E K E I T H COUNTLESS LEADERS WILL WALK INTO a meeting this year that seems identical to the meetings they’ve held in 2018. New year, same tired routine.

Digital Workplace Meetings The rise of digital technology has obvious impacts on meetings. We no longer need to travel and rarely pass around printed reports. Paperless virtual meetings are now common, and for some companies, the only option. Digitalization also changes how teams work during the meeting. Before email and other online communications, it made sense for teams to gather to hear what their colleagues were doing. One-way monologues were never thrilling, but they were the easiest way to share information in the past.

Now teams post updates online. Between all the chatter created by our co-workers and the constant influx of news from the outside world, the challenge shifts from distributing information to sifting through it all to figure out what matters. Tip 1: Trade information sharing for sense making. Leaders must learn to ask great questions. Teams make sense of all this information not by passively listening, but by actively debating the answers to skillful questions. The always-on barrage of updates and infotainment creates workers who are always learning (bright side!) and are highly distractible. The philosopher Heraclitus’s river has become a flood, leaving many people with a fragile grasp on the team’s boat. A 90-minute meeting once per week is too long to hold anyone’s attention and too infrequent to ensure the team stays connected. Tip 2: Hold shorter, more frequent meetings. Pair daily standups with a short weekly meeting. Most full-time teams find that a short meeting for quickly confirming daily plans and a weekly meeting for checking

alignment and priorities works best. This pattern is common to both Agile development teams and high-performance leadership teams. Remote teams streamline further by running the stand-up in a chat app.

VUCA-Ready Meetings Change is a constant, but the rate of change is not. Today’s management blogs are full of strategies for navigating a workplace or event awash in volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. There are no sure bets in a VUCA world, but there are sure ways to fail. Waterfall planning and command-and-control leadership, those darlings of the industrial age, are now the prime examples of what not to do. As any factory worker knows, automation is taking over the straight-forward work. This leaves us with the complex work; the knowledge work that demands people with skills making quality decisions. There are too many decisions coming too fast for all this deciding to remain leadership’s sole responsibility.

P H O T O : U N S P L A S H . C O M / YO U X V E N T U R E S

What these leaders may not realize is that the old approach to meetings, where someone talks the team to sleep is quickly becoming unacceptable. Companies and planners everywhere are ditching their boring meetings and adopting more effective practices. Two factors driving revolution throughout the modern workplace also demand a new way of meeting: digitalization and VUCA, short for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.

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P H O T O : U N S P L A S H . C O M / YO U X V E N T U R E S

CON N ECTION

Instead, companies create self-organizing teams with distributed decision-making authority in order to remain competitive. What does this mean for meetings? Tip 3: Release control and adopt a realtime agenda technique. A successful selforganizing team needs ownership over what gets their time and focus during meetings. Real-time agenda techniques give team members a structured way to propose and prioritize topics for discussion. VUCA impacts our well-being. Increasing cultural fragmentation and isolation breed anxiety and depression. Many people have lost their traditional communities, so now look to the workplace for connection. Leading companies use meetings to foster a sense of meaning and belonging. Tip 4: Develop meeting rituals that embody your team’s values. For example, teams at Zingerman’s and Atlassian begin their meetings with icebreakers—a conference classic that proves surprisingly effective at increasing bonds between team members. Google, Dry Farms Wine, and RFS Financial teams meditate during meetings. Starbucks’ crews enjoy a coffee tasting. These micro-transplants from large events become cultural rituals that enhance the sense of community and meaning in everyday business meetings.

A CONFERENCE CALL CAN’T PROVIDE The Crystal Center offers a dozen meeting room spaces with fl exible seating for up to 350 people, as well as multiple private breakout rooms and networking areas. We make it easy to connect and let your productivity fl ourish.

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Overhauling Tradition The waves of technology-laden VUCA are drowning out those who cling to a commandand-control approach. Today’s leaders and planners must learn instead how to ask the right questions and cultivate insights. The fragmented, distracted nature of the workplace also makes it critical to engage the team by intentionally fostering a sense of trust, ownership and meaning. The modern meeting can do all of this and more. Leaders who follow these tips gain a powerful tool for shaping team culture and driving work momentum. ELISE KEITH IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF LUCID MEETINGS AND THE AUTHOR OF “WHERE THE ACTION IS: THE MEETINGS THAT MAKE OR BREAK YOUR ORGANIZATION.” LUCIDMEETINGS.COM

MI.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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TREND REPORT PLANNERS

GREG DESANDY

DAVID C. MCKNIGHT

KAT PAYE

JANET KORN

LARISA DRAVES, CMP

LYN GLEASURE, CMP, CPCE

LINDSAY KRAUSE

WHAT’S IN THEIR BAG?

Meeting and event pros offer insights on how they stay focused and effectively execute their plans with clients. B Y R O G E R G O R D O N ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED questions our editors hear at functions is what tools do other meeting and event professionals use to stay on track and keep organized. After they completed voting earlier this year on the 2019 Hall of Fame honorees that appeared in the Summer 2019 issue, we asked several members of the Michigan Meetings + Events Editorial Advisory Board what works best for them.

Here’s a look inside their planning bag. “I use an app called Hootsuite,” says Greg DeSandy, director of sales and event services for Cobo Center in Detroit. “We have various teams within the department, including

a customer service team and a social media team. We communicate with each other through the Hootsuite app. It’s very similar to a Google Doc, but everybody has access to it and can see everything as it relates to that subject. We use Google Docs, usually when working with a third party. We also use group texts and chats with specific customers and for specific events.” “We use Office 365, a cloud-based server, for our team,” says Kat Paye, executive director for

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the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. “That’s how we collaborate as an organization, and that’s all tied into Outlook. The reason I use it is because it’s versatile on all platforms. I can see the same thing on my phone as I can see on my computer.” “My favorites are Sticky Notes and Word. I usually make my own charts on the computer for various projects,” says Larisa Draves, CMP, owner of Draves and Associates in Stanwood and executive director of the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. Asked what tricks he has in his planning bag to overcome problems at functions, David C. McKnight, owner and founder of Emerald City Designs in Farmington Hills, says that his event captains always carry a fully stocked “toolbox that includes everything from scissors, duct tape, glue dots, rubber bands, chenille stems and anything needed to solve problems that may arrive on event days while setting up,” he says. “Our event coordinators have an emergency kit stocked with sewing kits, extra buttons, fruit snacks for the ring bearer who may not want to walk down the aisle, super glue, umbrellas and stain remover. You name it, our event coordinators probably have it in their kits.” According to Janet Korn, senior vice president for Experience Grand Rapids, pre-planning is important. “You have to always remember to think about all the possibilities of things that could happen,” she says. “Something can always go wrong. You need to build a backup plan. If you’re going to deliver a PowerPoint presentation and you don’t know what’s in your presentation, and for some reason, you can’t get the visual display, you’re going to have a hard time telling a story. But if you know your presentation, you could probably get through most of it even without any visual support.” Lyn Gleasure, CMP, CPCE, event manager for Bedrock Detroit, is new school when it comes to vision and planning. “It’s been a

change,” she says. “Now everything is acceptable by your cell phone, so now I don’t even have to carry a computer to an event. I can find everything that’s happening on my phone.” DeSandy is a combination of new school and old school. “Some of these new apps that are out are just fantastic and really great,” he explains. “In that universe of evolving technology and great applications for business and for conferences, some of the stuff works really well. Also, everywhere I go in the building, I have a notebook tucked in my blazer or pocket. If I think of something super important, I want to write it down.” “I’m afraid I’m terribly old school,” admits Traci Bahlman, director of sales for Holiday Catering in Royal Oak. “There are likely newer tools and programs that could be making my life easier, but it seems to take me a while to come around. I’m currently struggling with calendars. I need to have upcoming events and dates at my fingertips most of the time, so moving to an electronic calendar should be a no-brainer. However, I continue to retreat to my comfort zone and write things on a paper calendar on the wall in my office. That system has limitations, and I have missed a few appointments as a result. I’m working on it. I wish I had more of an affinity for technology.” Asked what some of the challenges are that she faces in her daily activities when dealing with clients and others in the industry that help her develop, create, plan and execute effectively, Bahlman says that she is always looking for tricks to help keep her team informed of changes to an event. “An alert from our software program or some other technology that can copy all departments on changes and updates,” she says. “It can seem so simple for the planner to promise the client a minor change in the later stages of planning, but if that information doesn’t get down the line efficiently, it

won’t happen.” “One of the greatest values I can bring to clients is to simplify things,” says Lindsay Krause, director of meetings and events for Special D Events in Ferndale. “As planners, we must collect, organize, analyze and strategize large amounts of complex information. If I can boil down the ‘need to know’ bullets to my client and provide consultation to them based on my industry experience, then I will be bringing them value. I take pride in asking the questions my clients need to know to meet their goals and objectives, from the kickoff meeting to when attendees walk out the door.” Asked what recommendations she can offer other planners, Gleasure says that setting boundaries from the beginning and understanding that you have to maintain a work-life balance is key. “If there’s a time that you decide that you’re not going to answer emails at night, you need to stick to that because once you break that boundary, they’re going to expect that every time,” she says. “So, if you clear those expectations from the start with a client, hopefully they respect that, and you can stay focused in the time you’re working and not make it a 24-hour-a-day job whenever possible.” According to DeSandy, nothing ever goes as planned. “It’s important to keep that open channel of communication with your venue and people working there and to be able to roll with some of the things and be flexible,” he says. “Somebody in the hotel business once told me that people would grade you higher if something went wrong with their stay and you fixed it, rather than they would if nothing went wrong with their stay.” “Be flexible, come prepared and work smart,” Bahlman says. “Surround yourself with a strong team. I haven’t seen any technology yet that can roll with the punches like an experienced professional.”

MI.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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MEET & EAT HOLIDAY PARTIES

The Inn at St. John’s Grande Ballroom features plenty of festive options for holiday events.

MAKING MERRY

Planning that perfect holiday gathering becomes a piece of cake when you leave the festive details to the pros at these metro Detroit favorites. B Y K H R I S T I S . Z I M M E T H

the one putting together the company’s annual holiday party. There’s no need for undue seasonal stress, however, say local party planners. Organizing the perfect get-together can be as easy as making your list, checking it twice, and calling one of the locations below. All are experts at making your upcoming event both fresh and festive, whatever its size.

The Inn at St. John’s: Classy and Jolly From the smallest accommodation with 300 square feet to the largest, the Grande Ballroom with almost 7,000, there is plenty of room for holiday events at The Inn at St. John’s, in Plymouth. It won Best Hotel with Meeting/ Event Space under 200 rooms and Best Service

in the Michigan Meetings + Events Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards. Still owned by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Romanesque Revival resort on the grounds of a former seminary is a favorite venue for parties of all types and sizes, says Tawyna Johnson, director of sales and marketing. The inn opened in 2006. “Large parties with holiday candy themes, winter wonderland, black tie themes, even murder mysteries are among the types of successful past events,” she says. “We also host many intimate gatherings focused more on the dining experience.” Perusing the inn’s 28-page menu of culinary options, it’s not difficult to see why. Options

include a brunch, with specialties, such as crème brulee French toast, to a lunch buffet with choices such as roasted beet-chevre ravioli, phyllo-crusted Lake Michigan whitefish or blue cheese stuffed center cut filet mignon. Room for dessert? There is hazelnut espresso crème brulee or orange creamsicle cheesecake, among others. Specialty food stations also are available, with everything from a chilled shellfish or sushi spread to a mashed potato bar, artisan sliders or a Zingerman’s creamery display. And if that weren’t enough, St. John’s creates an annual holiday celebrations plated menu, with sweet potato bisque with gingerbread croutons, winter squash risotto with cranberries and eggnog pot de crème for dessert among last year’s offerings. “We offer some classic holiday items as well as unique takes on traditional Christmas

•C •1 •C •2 •N •3 •4 •W •W C P H OTO : B R A N D O N R A I S

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the year—unless you’re

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Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center Boost your meeting attendance with our central location in the heart of downtown Frankenmuth!

P H OTO : B R A N D O N R A I S

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favorites,” Johnson explains. “We also include holiday-themed drinks on our bars.” Grinch martini, anyone? Venue choices include four ballrooms as well as more intimate spaces for smaller groups, including 5ive Steakhouse, “a great option for groups that want a restaurant-style experience,” she adds. Johnson says mood music—try a holiday sing-along—is requested more and more. “Bands have become more popular whether it is a quartet or full band. These can add a great source of entertainment for guests.” Larger events/parties need early booking, but “if you are hosting a smaller event a few months is usually sufficient,” she says. Whatever your food, room or music choice, all guests are treated to the facility’s festive décor. “Our holiday décor is over the top,” Williams says. “We decorate our public space as well as each of our special event spaces … guests really appreciate the ambiance.” Makenzie Jakubowski, administrative assistant of emergency medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor, has booked a buffetstyle 300-person event in the Grande Ballroom for a number of years and says St. John’s makes things easy.

“They handle everything,” she says. “I can be totally hands-off.” That said, she does enjoy changing it up a bit from year to year and admits to being a big fan of the sequined tablecloths, which come in red and champagne colors. “They’re to die for,” she says. Otherwise, she leaves the details to them. “They function like a well-oiled machine. It’s something everyone looks forward to every year and every year we get more compliments.”

Roadside B&G: Intimate Appeal “Work holiday parties, family holiday parties, Chanukah parties, basically anything you can think of,” is the can-do answer when asked what types of holiday event are popular at Bloomfield Township’s Roadside B&G, part of the Roberts Restaurant Group. It operates six eateries in Oakland County, including the Beverly Hills Grill, Bill’s, Café ML, Streetside Seafood and Town Tavern. The retro-style roadhouse bar and grill’s manager Saige Freeman says their flexibility and openness to ideas is one of their many strengths. The Roadside grill is the only one of the

The Henry Ford: Parties with a Past Some 26 million artifacts, 200 acres of innovation and 300 years of America. Not surpris-

P H O T O : R O B E R T S R E S TA U R A N T G R O U P

The Roadside B&G’s private dining room handles up to 40 for a plated meal.

group’s eateries that has a separate private party space, which accommodates up to 40 for a plated meal or 60 cocktail-style. The room includes the main area and an adjacent patio, which guests can use year-round and enclose with heaters for additional seating. When the weather cooperates “it’s like getting two rooms for the price of one,” Freeman explains. “You can do a lot with it.” Either way, you’ll get the best they have to offer. “We take your events very seriously, as if they were our own,” she says. “We try to personalize the room with linen colors, holiday decorations, and personalized menus.” Menu options are far-ranging too. “Our menu meets a lot of different needs. We also are understanding of allergies and selective eaters,” she adds. “Our menu is based on a lot of our guests’ favorites, including our Broiled Great Lakes Whitefish, Caesar Plank Salmon, Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Short Rib Tacos. We also have other features not on our regular menu, such as our Braised Short Rib and Shrimp Penne Pasta.” Freeman enjoys working on seasonal events. “I love that not every party is the same and the different décor ideas that guests bring to the events. I love watching the joy of the guests while their families are together or their meetings go to plan.” She recommends to plan in advance but otherwise leave the details and the stressing to her team. “Remember the main reason you are having the event … make sure you have fun.” JoAnn and Anthony Mitchell of Lake Angelus, retired owners of Mitch’s restaurant in Waterford, have hosted a variety of parties at the Roadside B&G through the years, including Anthony’s December birthday parties. “They always have lights up and we decorated the tables and it was really lovely,” JoAnn raves. If it’s warm enough, she says the patio is a great place for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. “The staff and food are outstanding. They deserve all the accolades.”

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TIME TO PLAN ON PERFECTION

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P H O T O : R O B E R T S R E S TA U R A N T G R O U P

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A party in The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

with Lovett Hall, which was built by Henry Ford for his own soirees.” Food choices and serving styles vary. “For holidays, we find that stations and small plates continue to be the most popular,” Cox says. “That style offers diversity in the menu to try some new things and meeting guests dietary concerns. Equally appealing, strolling menus encourage socializing and movement as guests explore.” Partygoers love the unusual museum experience, she says. “Guests arrive at The Henry Ford expecting something extraordinary, they just know it is going to be special. “At the end of every party we hear guests delight in something new they experienced and making plans to come back.” Another plus: Hosting a holiday party at the museum is “giving back” to the community. “Many organizations love that hosting their event at The Henry Ford helps support us as a non-profit, national treasure,” says Cox. “It feels good to support our mission to inspire and shape a better future—especially around the holidays.” Cox adds that she has seen a rise in January events. “We love the trend for January events by organizations that want to avoid overcom-

mitting their teams in December,” she adds. Mary Quine of Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield’s neurosurgery department has hosted a January event in Lovett Hall for approximately 175 guests for a few years. “It’s hard to get people together in December,” she explains. She chooses The Henry Ford because of “the uniqueness of the site, the absolutely beautiful, very classy hall and the extremely professional service. Nothing goes wrong, ever.” Having an event after the holidays, she adds gives people something to look forward to early in the new year. Whatever the time of year, the end result is the same. “We love watching guests’ eyes light up,” Cox explains. That’s something The Henry Ford team works very hard to deliver.

Get Connected THE HENRY FORD thehenryford.org | 313.982.6045 THE INN AT ST. JOHN’S theinnatstjohns.com | 734.414.0600 ROBERTS RESTAURANT GROUP/ ROADSIDE B&G roadsidebandg.com | 248.858.7270

P H OTO : A R I S I N G I M AG E S

ingly, an event at The Henry Ford adds up to a holiday celebration unlike any other, according to Senior Director of Sales Amy Cox. “Holiday parties at The Henry Ford have built-in WOW factor,” she explains. “All of our venues are unique and engaging.” With such a wide range of facilities, artifacts/exhibits, entertainment and interactive experiences, planners can tailor a seasonal event to suit a variety of interests. “It’s easy to plan something amazing because our experienced staff has so many unique opportunities and resources at their fingertips.” Past parties have included “everything from black tie galas in the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation to family fun in Greenfield Village,” according to Cox. In December, the landmark is filled with parties for groups from 50 to 3,000, proving that the site can accommodate a variety of needs. As a popular venue, it’s always best to plan ahead. “If you have a specific date in mind, reserve as soon as possible—the year prior is best,” she says. “If your date is flexible, summer is the most popular planning season. But truth be told, because of our size and options, we are still able to help many planners into the fall.” Venue choices include the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation with “12 acres of amazing artifacts, exhibits and architecture,” according to Cox. “In December, we are decorated for the holidays for even more magic. Alternately, parties that tie into our Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village are able to have their private dinner gathering, then enjoy a completely unique, magical event. “Holiday Nights is the most popular holiday event in the area, complete with lanternlit paths, decorated homes, live entertainment, costumed presenters, horse-drawn sing-along wagons, warming fire stations, ice skating, Santa, traditional street food and a fireworks finale.” For planners looking for a nontraditional, end-of-the-year celebration, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour offers “a totally unexpected, completely engaging, new experience,” Cox explains. “And if it’s a glamorous and elegant dinner gala you’re after, you can’t go wrong

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GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

COOLCITY

I,you,she or he...by Jaume Plensa at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

P H OTO : A R I S I N G I M AG E S

A destination crafted for meetings.

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DESTINATION PETOSKEY AREA

IDEAL LAKESIDE LOCATION

Boyne Country sports it, and it’s ready to show off. B Y B I L L S E M I O N

YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING: It’s all about location, location, location. This gorgeous Petoskey region, collectively called Boyne Country after its premier resort facilities, is perfectly situated to make a great northern Michigan location for gatherings. It also offers guaranteed fun postconference activities, paired with great meeting facilities, small and large. The region stretches from Boyne City in the south through Harbor Springs and the famed Tunnel of Trees along M-119, to Good Hart and Cross Village in the north, to the lakes near Alanson in the east, to that blue horizon of Lake Michigan on its sunset shoulder. It’s one of Pure Michigan’s best locations. But don’t think that even with all we’re about to detail, that the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau is sitting on its laurels—or its golf courses, its huge meeting spaces, its renowned restaurants, shopping and waterfront views, and that genteel, country elegance that the entire area exudes. “Not no way, not no how,” says the bureau’s

longtime Executive Director Peter Fitzsimons. “We’re one of the largest convention and visitors bureau regions in the state geographically,” explains the Michigan CVB sage. “We like to think of ourselves as a natural resourcebased, outdoor recreation area where we set the stage for people to enjoy themselves. We have hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, golfing, performing arts …” and he went on to describe loads of other activities that lure legions of visitors there year around.

City Charms “If you’re sitting in downtown Petoskey, you’re within 20 miles of 18 championship

golf courses,” he says. Then there’s the city’s historic Gaslight District, home to dozens of fashionable shops, many with twin locations in places such as Palm Beach, Florida. Chic Bay Harbor, and its summery Inn at Bay Harbor nearby on Lake Michigan, is the latest iteration, he continues. “Our area has historically been defined by summer resort communities that have been home to ‘old money’ since 1875. What that means is a lot of services have grown up to support the lifestyle, so we have very fine shops, restaurants and one of the best regional referral hospitals in the north. Those types of things aren’t readily seen in a small town,” Fitzsimons says. “You get a sense here that there’s something different about the area.” Let’s begin with an elegantly compact venue that’s been here for more than a century, and now owned by Stafford’s Hospitality. Stafford’s Bay View Inn, which was built in 1886, in the historic Bay View Community, is just down

P H OTO S : P E TO S K E Y A R E A V I S I TO R S B U R E AU ; ( O P P O S I T E ) H E A D L A N D S I N T E R N AT I O N A L D A R K S K Y PA R K ; B OY N E R E S O R T

The Inn at Bay Harbor recently completed the final phase of its room and suite renovations.

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P H OTO S : P E TO S K E Y A R E A V I S I TO R S B U R E AU ; ( O P P O S I T E ) H E A D L A N D S I N T E R N AT I O N A L D A R K S K Y PA R K ; B OY N E R E S O R T

FAST FACTS Petoskey, in the Odawa language, is said to mean “rays of light.” But, it’s also likely named for the Petoskey family. Still, Odawa Chief Petosega (Bidasiga) figures in the area’s history. Charlevoix was named after French explorer Pierre de Charlevoix.

Rides through the M-119 Tunnel of Trees are a "must do."

WHAT TO DO? TRY A FEW OF THESE BOYNE COUNTRY ADVENTURES.

Start with the famed Tunnel of Trees, along M-119. Slow your pace here, not only because the speed limit through the curves and dips is reduced, but because you simply should, to take in the reverie of light, leaves—especially in fall—and Lake Michigan views, running from the Harbor Springs area north to Cross Village. Little Traverse Wheelway encompasses 26 more miles of fun, running along Little Traverse Bay. It links Harbor Springs, Petoskey and Charlevoix.

Book a group drive-by tour of architect Earl Young’s 26 “mushroom houses” in Charlevoix. You’ve never seen anything like these homes, with their wavy, sculpted roofs and fieldstone walls. It’s like having a group of hobbits from Lord of the Rings in town.

Charter a trip on Little Traverse Bay through companies such as Sunshine Charters in Charlevoix, Pointer Boat in Harbor Springs (private charters, catered by Stafford’s, are available), or the others listed on the Petoskey visitors website.

Take an easy, team-building yearround raft trip down a portion of the nearby Sturgeon River offered by Big Bear Adventures. Trips are beautiful year-round and offer great wildlife viewing. It’s simply amazing in the winter.

Plan your group to be here in May for the National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City, and book a group outing in the woods to find these tasty little treasures.

Reserve seats at the new Great Lakes Center For The Arts and Red Sky Stage, at Bay Harbor, or the Young Americans Dinner Theatre at Boyne Highlands. Take your group on a nighttime adventure to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park for an experience like no other. It became one of the first 10 international sky parks in the world in 2011 and includes a rentable event center and observatory.

Climb aboard the Emerald Isle in Charlevoix for a trip to historic Beaver Island. Group tours are available, as well as overnight lodging on the island.

Book seats at Bay View’s Hall Auditorium for everything from opera and Broadway musicals to rock concerts during the Bay View Music Festival.

The region also figures in a dubious historical moment. It was the site of the last great nesting of the passenger pigeon, once the most abundant bird in North America, which was hunted to extinction by 1901. A state historical marker on the shore of Crooked Lake tells the sad story. The man-made extinction helped drive the 20th-century conservation movement. The greater Petoskey area features four state parks—Petoskey, Young, Burt Lake and Wilderness—and Fisherman’s Island. Ernest Hemingway spent his first 22 summers in the Petoskey area, and the family still has a home, Windemere, on Walloon Lake. It’s rarely open to the public. The region is the setting for several of his Nick Adams short stories. Harbor Springs was originally home to a permanent Odawa village. It is now the summer home to some of the nation’s richest families. Beaver Island was once a kingdom, founded by Mormons. The “crooked tree” name used by several businesses refers to the trees used as a landmark by the Odawa Native Americans. The Petoskey stone, made of 350-million-year-old fossilized coral, was designated Michigan’s state stone in 1965. Find them anywhere along stone-strewn beaches, but one of the best is the Petoskey city break wall, if the current Lake Michigan highwater permits.

Tour the Petoskey area’s 12 wineries and three breweries.

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DESTINATION PETOSKEY AREA

The Headlands International Dark Sky Park includes a rentable event center and observatory, which can provide a unique group outing.

There are 18 championship golf courses within 20 miles of Petoskey.

sales for Boyne Resorts in Michigan. Locally, that means Boyne Mountain, (called The Mountain for short) in Boyne Falls, Boyne Highlands (The Highlands) in the hills in Harbor Springs, and The Inn at Bay Harbor (The Inn).

The Boynes and Nubs “One of Boyne’s biggest focuses overall is doing team-building or activity components for your programs. We’re the best in the state for things to do outside of your actual meeting,” Olach says. “Each resort has its own personality. “The Mountain is more of our sports center, with paintball, hiking and biking trails, seven lacrosse fields, and it’s popular with fly-in groups because we have our own airport,” Olach continues. There’s also kayaking on Deer Lake, and the only red clay tennis court in the United States. Boyne also offers its huge full-service spa.

“The Inn at Bay Harbor is our luxury property on Lake Michigan. We like to keep groups there at around 100. There’s a full-service spa, waterfront dining, and we always talk about our million-dollar view of sunsets over Lake Michigan,” she says. “Our Young Americans Dinner Theater at The Highlands is a huge sellout throughout the summer.” When it comes to golf, there are three courses at The Inn on Little Traverse Bay. Two at Boyne Mountain, in the shadow of that property’s great ski runs. Plus, there are five courses at Boyne Highlands, in and around the hills above Harbor Springs. If you’re a downhill maven, you’re already familiar with the Boynes, and Boyne Highlands across-the-street neighbor, Nubs Nob. There also are miles of cross-country ski opportunities in the region that include trails at the Boynes, state forest trails, and preserves managed by the Little Traverse Conservancy,

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the hill from Petoskey proper. Bay View grew out of the 19th-century Chautauqua movement. Clustered around it are the Victorian gingerbread houses that are occupied only in warm weather months. That gives Bay View its allure, and a neverending charm that wows first-time visitors and returnees alike. That rubs off on the Bay View Inn, which is open all year for both lodging and dining, including its famous Sunday brunch offered May-October. Its architecture fits right in to offer that Victorian-style elegance, as well as gorgeous views overlooking Little Traverse Bay. “Our group sales team can provide an allinclusive event for meetings and groups,” says Becky Babcock, marketing director for Stafford’s Hospitality. “This includes lodging and dining reservations at any of our locations. We also offer their years of expertise and gracious hospitality.” The facility won Best Small Inn with Meeting/Event Space in the Michigan Meetings + Events Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards. It offers all the amenities planners need. Its largest private space includes a dance floor, an outdoor meeting space in its garden, with room for up to 250 theater-style, as well as an indoor room for up to 130. Stafford’s Perry Hotel downtown was built in 1889 and is the only one of 20 luxury resort hotels left that once occupied the town and that didn’t burn in an early 20th-century fire. The Perry offers 75 uniquely decorated rooms. “It’s not your traditional hotel,” Babcock says. “It’s unique and historic, and we’ve taken a lot of time to preserve its history. If you walk into the lobby, you walk into a grand, maroon place with a fireplace and sitting area, almost like a parlor. You feel like you’re walking into someone’s cottage.” Stafford’s Hospitality also operates the Weathervane Restaurant in Charlevoix, and The Pier, in Harbor Springs, which locals refer to simply as “Harbor.” Its Crooked River Lodge is in nearby Alanson. If you want it all, head to Boyne Resorts for any season. There are more than 400 guest rooms and the ability to handle groups up to 600 for starters, says Trisha Olach, director of

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P H O T O S : B R I A N WA LT E R S ; P E T O S K E Y A R E A V I S I T O R S B U R E A U

Let us show you the way up north!

Stafford’s Hospitality has welcomed groups to northern Michigan for over 58 years. We offer groups a destination unto itself and are within reach of endless day trips. Allow Stafford’s to be your home away from home.

Alanson • Charlevoix • Harbor Springs • Petoskey 231-348-6017 | staffords.com

Bay View Inn, Crooked River Lodge and Perry Hotel

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DESTINATION PETOSKEY AREA

Boyne Mountain offers 60 runs and 415 skiable acres of terrain.

Kayaking the rivers and lakes around the Petoskey area is just one of the many outdoor adventures available year-round that attract repeat visitors.

Gaming Fun Petoskey’s Odawa Casino offers a hotel, gaming, and lots of meeting and group lodging options, says Suzanne Sipe, CMP, Odawa’s assistant director of hospitality. The hotel features 137 guest rooms, 10 of which are suites. “Our hotel and casino are two different buildings. We have four meeting rooms at the hotel, from our board room for up to 14, up to our larger space, which is two rooms with an air wall that accommodates up to 150 depending on the setup,” Sipe says. There is free parking for events, and free shuttles to the casino. “At the casino, we have a large space that can accommodate up to 500 at rounds for dinner. The room has 18-foot ceilings and a stage that’s nice for productions. We also can use a couple of other locations. We do private events at Sage, which is our fine dining restaurant, and the Ozone night club." With so much to offer, you’re now begin-

ning to get the picture why the Petoskey area welcomes so many, and why they keep coming back. The visitors bureau's Fitzsimons likes to say that his job is to remind past visitors here of all the area’s assets. “There’s a lot of competition out there from other communities,” he says. “But once people get here, it’s a memorable experience. Our history with the number of repeat visitors floors me. Once we get ’em, we tend to have ’em back.”

Get Connected BOYNE RESORTS boyne.com | 800.462.6963 ODAWA CASINO odawacasino.com | 877.442.6464 PETOSKEY AREA VISITORS BUREAU petoskeyarea.com | 800.845.2828 STAFFORD’S HOSPITALITY staffords.com | 800.737.1899

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which groups can book. At Boyne Highlands, planners can schedule a wintertime Aonach Mor moonlight dinner—a sleigh ride and meal at the ski area’s North Peak warming house. A similar activity at Boyne Mountain whisks participants up a chairlift at night, where they don snowshoes for the hike back to the lodge and dinner at Stein Eriksen’s restaurant. While event attendees are reviewing the latest PowerPoint presentation, the rest of the family can relax at Boyne Mountain’s Avalanche Bay, Michigan’s largest indoor water park. At the Inn at Bay Harbor, arrange for a private wine tasting or cocktail-making event, or even a chef-led cooking class on the sous vide method. Its 116 guest rooms have undergone major improvements and now are ready for groups. The changes complement the resort’s two renovated restaurants as well as the spa, café and lobby. Summer team-building adventures include kayak trips on the Boyne River from Boyne Mountain, Segway tours, and horseback treks. Among the amenities at Boyne Highlands are the Country Club of Boyne and night skiing. And if you’ve never experienced a swim in a heated outdoor pool on a winter’s night, this is the place to do it. Groups of up to 10 also can book a chef’s table experience at the country club to sit in the kitchen and watch their food being prepared while chatting with the chefs.

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Mus

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PERFECT FOR EVENTS

Plan your special celebration at Four Winds New Buffalo. Our Silver Creek Event Center offers over 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and can accommodate groups from 20 to 2,000. Host a rockin’ party in Hard Rock Cafe. For a more intimate setting, you can book the Private Dining Room of The Buffet or Copper Rock Steakhouse. With over 2,500 slots, 48 table games, 415 deluxe hotel rooms, and five delicious restaurants, Four Winds New Buffalo has everything you need to make your event a huge success.

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To book your event or for more information, please call 1-866-4WINDS1 ext 5219 to speak with our knowledgeable sales team.

1.866.4WINDS1 • fourwindscasino.com

Must be 21 years of age or older. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians invites you to play responsibly. If you think you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700. ©2019 Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. 3141-6.7.19

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AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown

TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE IN DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS The AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown, where collaboration meets relaxation. An open space, designed for both sides of you – work life and night life. A place where inspiration crystallizes into creative, actionable ideas by day. By night, our bartenders serve up expert local knowledge along with craft beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and tapas-style small plates.

AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown 50 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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| AC-Hotels.com

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Marketing, Promotion and More PLANNERS BEHIND FIVE POPULAR MAJOR EVENTS OFFER INSIDER TIPS ON HOW THEY DRIVE AWARENESS FOR THEIR ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS.

BY ROGER GORDON

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s planners, we’re constantly hearing about the time, energy and resources that go into the marketing and promotion of successful major public events. Radio, television and magazine advertising are huge, of course. In today’s marketplace, even bigger may be advertising on social media. The tried-and-true tradition of mailing brochures also helps. Word of mouth certainly doesn’t hurt. Collaborating with partners is a creative way to gain broader market coverage. To see how these five events do it, we asked those running the show to share an insider’s look at how these annual biggies are marketed and promoted. Two tactics, the presenters say, rank at the top: good old-fashioned communications and championing the social channels. MI.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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uring the summertime in Detroit, festivals abound. But in the cold months, the Quicken Loans Winter Blast stands alone. “The Winter Blast is the only signature event in the city of Detroit, and one of the few in the region, that’s a winter festival,” says producer Jon Witz. “So not only are we a reason to get out of the house in the wintertime, but Detroit is coming back, and we get more media coverage because we’re not competing with multiple festivals.” The 2019 Winter Blast was presented on four weekends in January and February at downtown venues around Campus Martius Park along Woodward Avenue just up from the Detroit River. “We had a lot of cold weather and 35,000 visitors over the four weekends,” says Witz. “The year before, when the weather was

warmer, we had 90,000 visitors over just one weekend. We’ve approximated that 40 percent of the attendees are from Detroit and 60 percent are from within a 60-mile radius of the city.” The blast celebrates winter in Detroit and brings winter-themed festival activities into a downtown backdrop. Activities include free ice skating, snowboarding and skiing with the help of Boyne Resorts, a state leader in outdoor sporting equipment, ski slopes and more. “We also have marshmallow roasting and ice sculptures,” Witz says. “There are heated tents with live bands and food trucks. There’s arts and crafts and a stage that plays family entertainment, too.” The marketing team’s plan begins with developing the use of major media. “We’ll use TV advertising on two television stations.

We’ll use radio advertising and we’ll collaborate with our partners on social media,” he says. “Word of mouth takes us home from there. That’s always been enough to generate activity. In addition, there’s a public relations team that’s out generating media stories and sending out press releases. The Winter Blast is probably one of the top festivals year-round for media reporting. We’ll have six million impressions from the festival alone and probably about 100 television stories about the event featuring it over the time that we’re operating and before. So we really do rely on editorial coverage as a big driver for attendance. “Our secret marketing sauce is how we attract all the media coverage and having creative activations. Instead of having someone just talking about how great the event is, we

P H OTO S : A A R O N E C K E L S

QUICKEN LOANS WINTER BLAST ADDS SUNSHINE TO DETROIT’S CHILLY WEATHER

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From left: Ice skating in Campus Martius Park, snowboarding demonstrations, and arts and crafts are all part of the outdoor fun.

get our participants out early in the morning during news cycles and we create excitement for reporters,” Witz explains. “For example, we’ve been told by our supplier that we have the world’s largest mobile zip line, and we get kids to come out at six, seven, eight in the morning to show everybody who’s watching TV and getting up how fun it is. And the media comes and captures it. We keep it very creative and fun. When a reporter comes, they know they’re going to have a lot of unique, fun things to do, not just standing in front of the camera. I think that separates us out for coverage.” Witz and his team take full advantage of a social media blitzkrieg. “The festival is on Instagram, we’re on Twitter and we have a Facebook page, so we’re generating a lot of feedback there,” he says. “A big thing for us is the use of the social channels of our media partners. We have seven radio stations that participate in the event, and their social followings are even bigger than ours. They’re out posting and talking about the festival. “In addition to that, each one of the bands that are booked for the weekend is putting it out on their social channels. It’s all about collaborative marketing. With all the partnerships and collaborations, there are probably 50-60 entities and organizations—all with substantial followings—that are pushing out the festival socially. “The whole social media phenomenon has been ongoing,” he adds. “You have to stay with it. What we continue to learn is how people get their news, how they’re finding out about things and making sure that we’re creating experiences that people want to talk about. The best advertising we have is a mother taking a picture of her kid going down our winter slide, posting it to other people and having those people repost and retweet it. That blows away any other advertising we have, having thousands of people sending out images.” The 2020 Winter Blast begins in January.

Get Connected winterblast.com 248.541.7550

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MACKINAC ISLAND LILAC FESTIVAL LURES VISITORS TO A DELIGHTFUL DESTINATION

he Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau is already a step ahead when they begin planning the marketing campaign for the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, which was held July 7-16. Why? “People absolutely love lilacs,” says Executive Director Tim Hygh, who oversees the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. “This event attracts large numbers of attendees for that reason. There’s something about lilacs that people love. They love to look at them, they love the smell of them. “And for most of the people that come to visit us during our Lilac Festival, it’s their second opportunity to see the lilacs in bloom. For them, their lilacs will have already bloomed and been off the trees by the time they come up here to see our lilacs in bloom. What’s nice about it is that, with more than 300 varieties, they don’t all bloom at the same time. So our bloom is longer and they have more varieties and different things to look at. The lilacs just

Get Connected mackinacisland.org/mackinac-island-lilac-festival 906.847.3783

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The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival horse hitch parade is the largest of its kind in the United States.

mature later because of how cold it is up here in Northern Michigan.” Hygh and his team develop their marketing plans in a number of ways. “First,” he says, “we’ve really beefed up content on our web page so that we can hopefully answer peoples’ questions before they have them. As a result, they’ll know about the scheduling of the Lilac Festival, why we have the festival and they’ll know some of the neat things that they can do. We also email newsletters to the following that we have. We’ll do some display advertising, too. “We also rely very heavily on social channels to promote this event. The first thing that we’re able to do is, without any kind of display advertising, through our social channels announce the date when the tickets go on sale for A Taste of Mackinac, one of the festival’s many events. We only have a limited number of tickets that we sell for that event. It sells out every year. We have a number of other things going on, and I just used that one event as an example of how strong social media plays.” The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau also relies on partners in promoting the event. “Some are the horse acts, the face-painting vendors, the clowns, the different entertainers, the dance groups and those kinds of things,” says Hygh. “And then we have all of the members of the tourism bureau who participate in one way or another—either building a float or participating in A Taste of Mackinac. So it’s like a cast of thousands.” This year’s Grand Parade—America’s largest horse-hitch parade—on the final day had live coverage on the Facebook pages of the festival and the local CBS affiliate, TV 9 and 10. “Two of the affiliate’s anchors and a couple of its reporters were there covering it like it was the Rose Bowl Parade,” Hygh says. “They condensed all of that footage into a half-hour program, which aired a week later.” Hygh and his team have authenticity and longevity on their side. “If we just don’t make it too tricky, try to get the word out, try to remind people, entice them with our beautiful flowers and don’t make the message complicated, people will come.” The 2020 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is June 5-14.

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ANN ARBOR ART FAIR COMBINES FOUR EVENTS INTO ONE BIG SUMMERTIME SPLASH

s far as name recognition goes in Ann Arbor, the city’s annual summer art fairs are second only to the famed University of Michigan. “So when people think of Ann Arbor, they think of either the University of Michigan or the Ann Arbor Art Fair. There’s also a huge cultural scene in town between not just the visual arts but the performing arts, so it’s a great destination for culture,” says Karen Delhey, executive of the Guild of Artists & Artisans. “More than 1,000 artists come from all over the world.” The 2019 art fair was July 18-21. Last year’s event attracted more than 400,000 visitors, or just under the attendance of four packed home games for the UM football team at The Big House, which holds about 108,000 fans. “While fairgoers come from all over the United States, especially the Midwest, the majority of art fans come from southeast Michigan. We do get a large audience from the Midwest,” says Delhey. “We get a lot of alumni from the U of M, and they’re based all over the country. A lot of them use this week as a chance to come back for a reunion and things like that.”

The fair is comprised of four independently juried, nonprofit art fairs that run consecutively—the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; the Ann Arbor South University Art Fair; and the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair. The fair features a footprint spanning 30 city blocks, wrapping around downtown Ann Arbor and the main UM campus. In addition to art, the fair features a robust schedule, including stages with live music performances, artist demonstrations, family-friendly art activities for all ages, an array of food and beverage offerings and boutique retailers. It is a huge task for Delhey and her staff to plan the events. “We’ll sit down with (the marketing and PR firm) Marx Layne & Co., which promotes the event, and come up with what the important messages are for that particular year,” she says. “Then we have several partners we work with, including Destination Ann Arbor (the local CVB) and the Downtown Development Authority. We’ll meet with them and make sure we’re all sending out the same message. It just depends year to year what the

big topics are. Collaboration is key when you’re marketing. “We do extensive social media promotion for the art fair,” she adds. “Each of the four events has its own social media presence, whether it’s on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. And then there’s a joint page and a joint website that covers all four of the fairs, so a lot of times the content gets shared between the four events and the main page. It’s a lot of artist promotion.” The artists also get involved in the marketing. “It’s crucial for them to reach out to their audience to let them know where they’re going to be,” she explains. “If you look at it, that’s a thousand individual shops or stores that are out there marketing. The sponsors are also out marketing, and we’ll work with them to come up with the message they want sent out.” The 2020 Ann Arbor Art Fair is scheduled to be held July 16-19.

Get Connected theannarborartfair.com 734.662.3382

More than 1,000 artists from around the world participate in the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

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s the Midwest’s largest annual event of its kind, the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival typically attracts 20,000 visitors. “Most of our Michigan attendees come from the local Kent and Ottawa counties,” says Festival Manager Dawn Baker. “We also pull from other states.” This year’s festival will run Nov. 21-23 at the downtown DeVos Place Convention Center. “With more than 1,500 wines from around the world, 300-plus craft and domestic beers and 25-plus participating restaurants,” says Baker, “it’s a great way to sample new food and beverages you may not get the opportunity to try otherwise. While sampling, visitors enjoy live entertainment throughout the festival.” Baker and her team value communication highly. “Planners are very important to the event’s success,” she says. “There are so many moving pieces to such a large event. There are quite a few

key components to the event and many play an important role, including our exhibitors, sponsors and attendees.” There are many ways that Baker markets the festival. “We use Facebook Live videos with local radio personalities at participating restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries while promoting the event in a fun and exciting way,” she says. “We collaborate with our advertising agency based on data, research and marketing trends in the food and beverage industry. A surprising fact we found from the data we collected is how much television advertising still works despite how many streaming or recording services are available. Grassroots marketing is successful with our personal delivery of promotional pieces to tasting rooms and restaurants. “We collect and review data from surveys, and the industry gives us the insight to utilize traditional and digital

advertising with appropriate buys and reaches. The secret is really a well-balanced annual marketing campaign.” Baker’s team cross promotes products and businesses as much as possible. “It’s great to partner with Experience Grand Rapids (the local CVB) and other organizations to promote a very fitting event,” she says. “We also work with Traverse City Tourism to showcase our amazing Michigan wines, while they help advertise to similar target markets. It’s really a win-win for everyone. On top of that, significant relationships with the in-house decorator, electrical, box office and other building services at the convention center help ensure a smooth and efficient experience for exhibitors and patrons.”

Get Connected grwinefestival.com 616.447.2860

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INTERNATIONAL WINE, BEER & FOOD FESTIVAL IN GRAND RAPIDS RANKS AMONG THE BIGGEST

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HOLLAND TULIP TIME FESTIVAL MIXES AWESOME COLORS WITH DUTCH HISTORY

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ome 500,000 flower lovers made their way to the Holland Tulip Time Festival, this year celebrated May 4-12. Visitors from all 50 states and 43 countries attended the last festival. “So it’s really an international festival with people from around the world,” says Executive Director Gwen Auwerda. Holland is known for its tulips. “We have about four and a half to five million tulips,” says Auwerda. “The tulips bloom in the spring, usually in early May. People love flowers first off. It’s really a tie to the Netherlands. Our community was founded by Dutch settlers back in the 1800s, so there’s always been a connection with the Netherlands. Tulips are really popular over there. We do import all of our tulip bulbs

directly from the Netherlands. People just want to come and see the beautiful flowers. We have many varieties and colors, so you can see a wide range of beauty.” Her team develops its marketing plans internally. “We have a communications manager who works on those plans,” she says. “We do a lot of advertising in magazines and to group tours, so it’s multifaceted. The major players who direct how the event becomes successful are the whole team and our board of directors. We pretty much do all of the marketing on our end. Planners are very important to the event’s success because we are the ones who are planning many of the events ourselves directly.” Marketing the festival by way of social media is huge. “We have 40,000-45,000 Facebook subscribers,” Auwerda says. “We also use Instagram pretty extensively. That’s how we let people know when our events are. We also print 120,000 brochures, so we have a pretty big mailing list. People can get on the mailing list by going to our website and requesting a brochure

be sent to them.” The event’s secret marketing sauce is word of mouth. “That’s how people learn about us,” she says. “People have always heard about the festival and said, ‘Oh, I’ve always wanted to come. It’s on my bucket list.’ We’ve learned that people are here on the weekends and they come from a three-hour driving radius. As a result, we did add Sunday programming a couple of years ago so we had enough things for people to do on the second weekend of the festival. “We’ve also learned that people want to participate in things. So this year we had a series where you could see a cooking demonstration. We have Comfort and Crafts, which is a five-course meal of Dutch comfort food paired with different beers. We’re always looking out for one of the latest trends in tourism,” she says. The 2020 Holland Tulip Time Festival will be May 2-10.

Get Connected tuliptime.com 616.396.4221

Millions of tulips surround Holland’s famous 250-year-old De Zwaan Windmill.

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FOR A

GOOD CAUSE

Fundraising experts at Michigan nonprofits share best practices for planning charitable events, maximizing contributions and engaging communities.

I L L U S T R AT I O N : R AW P I X E L . C O M

BY A NNE NAGRO

he goal of most charity events is to generate as much money and awareness for the cause as possible. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially with countless galas, walks and campaigns vying for donor attention. So how can organizers ensure their fundraisers stand out and stay fresh year after year? What are the best ways to build relationships with donors and maximize their contributions? Fundraising experts from six Michigan nonprofits shared what works for them.

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Some of the goodies volunteers receive at the event.

The annual Kidney Walk at the Detroit Zoo,

“That’s where all the magic happens,” says Lisa Schutz Jelic, development director at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, on how well-connected business and community leaders can use their networks to extend a foundation’s reach. “It makes all the difference in the world because it’s not then just who you know, but who they know,” she explains. Jelic likes to have two honorary chairs per fundraiser. Ideally, they work in different industries and already are familiar with the organization. Their impact can be huge, assures Jelic, who found herself without an honorary chair leading up to the foundation’s largest event, the annual Kidney Walk at the Detroit Zoo, this past May. Although 4,500 people participated, raising more than $430,000, this was less than the $630,000 raised with the help of 8,000 walkers last year. That’s partly because the 2017 chairs were CEOs of large organizations and they

viewed the walk as a team-building opportunity, encouraging thousands of employees to form teams and compete in raising money. Honorary chairs also can “open doors” to vendor and venue partnerships, says Jelic. A former chair once influenced a venue to underwrite the costs of drinks for the annual Kidney Ball, a lively black-tie affair attracting up to 800 guests. This let the Ann Arbor-based foundation put more of the funds raised into programs to fight chronic kidney disease. The ball, which will be held Dec. 7, raises money through ticket sales, silent and live auctions, sponsorships, and by asking guests to “buy” into specific programs. “The biggest money is corporate sponsorship, and that’s where the honorary chair plays a key role,” adds Jelic. The next Kidney Walk, featuring children’s activities, food and vendors, a raffle and team and patient celebrations, is May 17, 2020.

P H OTO S : B R E N DA N R O S S ; (O P P O S I T E ) T R U M P L E P H OTO G R A P H Y

DESIGNATE AN HONORARY CHAIR (OR TWO) TO HEADLINE YOUR EVENT

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P H OTO S : B R E N DA N R O S S ; (O P P O S I T E ) T R U M P L E P H OTO G R A P H Y

TRUST THE CREATIVITY OF YOUR VENDORS AND VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT EASY TO DONATE ONLINE “We get a lot of our donors online. A lot of people communicate with us that way. A lot of applicants come from finding us online,” says Tracey Cholish, who manages major gifts and planned giving for the The Pink Fund. It is a national nonprofit in Bloomfield Hills that provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients who are undergoing treatment and need help covering basic living expenses. Key to all this is the fund’s website, which pops up quickly in online searches (thanks to savvy search engine optimization) and clearly presents its mission. “I feel like our site tells our story. Once you get there you have no question of what we do,” says Cholish. The website likewise makes it easy for people to host third-party fundraisers. “They contact me with their ideas, and I provide them support. I approve their events and a lot of times, especially if it’s in another state, we then receive a check in the mail when their event is over,” says Deborah Braciszewski, who coordinates these activities. Social media channels are used to promote these events and also give people more ways to donate. Last year, the Fund generated $18,000 through Facebook birthday fundraisers. “We were shocked,” says Cholish of the surprise support from Facebook users. “They found us; they liked our mission; they picked us; their friends donated on behalf of their ask,” she explains. The Pink Fund also hosts its own fundraiser. Dancing with the Survivors, held Oct. 4 at Silver Gardens Events Center in Southfield, provided five breast cancer survivors or co-survivors with ballroom dance lessons. Dancers raise money to participate and then perform with their professional dance partners at the ticketed event, which also featured food, cocktails, auction and raffle. Last year more than 350 attended the performance, which raised nearly $149,000.

On Feb. 29, 2020, the Sparrow Foundation will host its signature event of the year, the Sparrow Gala, to raise money and awareness for programs at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. More than 800 people attend the gala, which takes over the entire University Club of Michigan State University with each room dedicated to a different activity, from dancing and auctions to casino-style gaming and desserts. In 2019, the gala raised more than $250,000 to support patient outreach efforts for the hospital’s orthopedic department. The key to this event’s success, says Lisa Sack, the foundation’s development and events specialist, is putting the right vendors in place and trusting their abilities. “Give your vendors creative freedom and don’t limit them because they’re the experts in their field; let them do what they do best.”

Sack brings all of her vendors together to discuss the event’s objectives and budget. “We sit at the same table and we talk through the logistics and that’s when we really get the creativity flowing,” she says. Many vendors donate portions of their services, so Sack is sure to provide referrals and promote them at the gala. It’s also essential to trust the volunteers who work the event. Sack has a strong core of helpers who are loyal to the foundation and understand how the gala works. “I train them and I know that they will follow through and really take ownership of it,” says Sack of the high-level tasks she assigns. “I think people enjoy having that responsibility.” Trusting volunteers and vendors to elevate the guest experience ultimately means less work for her. “The more control you can relinquish, the more effective you can be overall. You have to put the right framework in place to be successful,” she says.

Casino-style gaming is just one of the many activities at the annual gala.

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STAY IN TOUCH WITH SPONSORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Greg Taylor was an addict who turned his life around thanks to The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program, which provides meals, shelter and counseling to people in need. Now, he drives one of the nonprofit’s soup kitchen trucks, giving others the same assistance he once received. Stories like his helped The Salvation Army raise more than $1.5 million during its 32nd annual Bed & Bread Program Radiothon in February. “We had clients who had been helped who could say, ‘I was down and out. This is the problem I had in my life. The Salvation Army provided a meal or provided shelter. This is how your donation is allowing The Salvation Army to be the conduit that had a positive influence on my life,’” says John Hale, who leads development for the organization’s Eastern Michigan Division, based in Southfield. Stories were audio- and video-taped for use on radio and social media, and also shared in-person during the radiothon’s live broadcast. Hale credits radio station 760 WJR, which hosted the fundraiser, for easing the tension of some clients (who were uncomfortable doing interviews) through gentle coaching. In addition, the event’s radio personalities and many program guests and major donors, such as Ford Motor Company Fund staff, spent time on the Bed & Bread trucks so they could share their own experiences on-air. “They are able to meet clients and hand out sandwiches for a few hours in the afternoon or evening while our trucks are out. Then they are able to share the stories that they see, and that’s been really effective for our fundraising and for sharing what we’re really doing,” says Hale. To date the Radiothon has raised more than $36 million for the Bed & Bread program. The next event is Feb. 28, 2020.

“Autism 101” lunch-and-learns for employees. AAoM customizes sponsorship benefits on request. It also actively stays in touch with sponsors throughout the year. “We don’t want it to feel like a transaction,” explains Allen of sponsoring the gala. “We want it to feel like a partnership and that they’re involved in something bigger than themselves.” As such, AAoM regularly calls and emails sponsors to share photos, stories of individuals and the impact their support is having on communities in their part of the state. “I think that makes a big difference. That way they don’t start dodging your calls because they think every time they see my name I’m asking for money,” says Allen. “Instead, they’re much more likely to support the next year’s event.“ The gala is a favorite of business and legislative leaders and features a formal dinner, live music, program and silent auction. The next one is April 18, 2020 at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Sponsors are recognized at the celebration.

P H OTO S : N I C K H AG E N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) D O W N T O W N D E T R O I T PA R T N E R S H I P

EXCEL AT TELLING YOUR STORY

More than 800 people attended the Michigan Shines for Autism Gala at the MotorCity Casino in Detroit in April, raising more than $1 million for the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM). Corporate sponsorships accounted for three-quarters of the money raised, which funded the nonprofit’s Navigator program. That provides free professional case management service to Michigan families affected by the disorder. Companies sponsor the gala for different reasons. “Some people are very interested in the marketing piece of it and they want their name out there. Some of our higher levels are doing it because of a relationship with one of our board members,” says Colleen Allen, CEO of the Bingham Farms-based organization. Different levels of sponsorship come with different benefits, from having names included in marketing, invitations and signage to getting mentioned in radio ads, speaking on-stage and having AAoM-affiliated professionals host

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P H OTO S : N I C K H AG E N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) D O W N T O W N D E T R O I T PA R T N E R S H I P

Each table at the Detroit Aglow picks a carver who’ll put on a chef’s coat and hat to cut the turkey.

RESPECT GUESTS’ LOVE OF TRADITION People know what to expect at the 36th annual Detroit Aglow, a fundraiser for the Downtown Detroit Partnership being held Nov. 25 at MGM Grand Detroit, and that’s a good thing. “It’s a traditional event. Tradition is its success,” says Mary Riegle, who oversees development efforts, including membership sponsorship and foundation relations for the nonprofit organization. The Monday evening affair attracts more than 800 business, civic, philanthropic and community leaders and raises $250,000 for initiatives that include programming for Campus Martius Park, Cadillac Square and other downtown public spaces. A highlight of the Thanksgiving celebration is when 72 roast turkeys are marched out of the kitchen and set on small carving stands next to each dining table. “The table appoints a turkey carver and this is something that people either are gunning for and are very excited about or they’re playing chicken with each other,” Riegle says,

laughing. (Carvers are provided a chef’s coat and hat.) And just like a family Thanksgiving where unexpected guests might attend (a new colleague who recently moved here or college student who couldn’t make it home), organizers squeeze in two “surprise” guests at each 10-person table. “People really enjoy meeting someone new, interacting with others, maybe getting to network in a way that you thought you never would,” says Riegle. Each year new elements, such as sponsored cocktails or a photo booth, add spice to the event, but overall it stays true to its roots. “Having done other galas, sometimes you spend a lot of time and energy trying to create something new, which may or may not pan out the way you want it,” admits Riegle. Sticking with what people want “enables me to focus on what’s important, which is creating a stellar event while meeting the other demands of my job,” she says.

Get Connected AUTISM ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN autismallianceofmichigan.org 877.463.2266 DOWNTOWN DETROIT PARTNERSHIP downtowndetroit.org 313.566.8250 NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN nkfm.org 800.482.1455 THE PINK FUND pinkfund.org 877.234.7465 THE SALVATION ARMY EASTERN MICHIGAN DIVISION Salmich.org 877.725.6424 SPARROW FOUNDATION sparrowfoundation.org 517.364.3620

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SOUTH BEND MADE FOR ANY MEETING

Planning your next meeting doesn’t have to be a complicated process. At least not if you choose the Gillespie Conference and Special Events Center to host. Gillespie’s services, amenities, and dedicated staff are second to none in South Bend.

It features six distinct venues – from the elegant Fleur de Lis Ballroom to charming outdoor spaces – that can be reconfigured to fit different formats.

WE LOVE HAVING OUR EVENT AT THE HILTON GARDEN INN AND TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE ACCOMMODATIONS OF OUR LAST-MINUTE CHANGES AND REQUESTS BY THE TEAM.”

These spaces are either connected or adjacent to a Hilton Garden Inn, where guests can Two on-site hotels experience upscale pair with 15,000 comfort food at the ~ LIBBY GRAY KOULTOURIDES square feet of Bistro 933, and the Saint Mary’s College flexible meeting Inn at Saint Mary’s, space for an exceptional conference destination. Even which proudly serves Starbucks. The property couldn’t be in more, it’s situated near major highways and across a more convenient spot – 10 minutes south of the Indianafrom one of the world’s iconic college campuses – Michigan border, 120 miles from Grand Rapids and 210 miles The University of Notre Dame. from Detroit. It offers easy access to Notre Dame, downtown South Bend and the Mishawaka retail district. Gillespie is Simply put, Gillespie has everything a meeting planner where convenience meets versati lity . needs to execute a great event. MICHIGAN

GRAND RAPIDS DETROI T

SOUTH BEND

For more information, contact:

LE ANN ALLEN

Regional Director of Sales & Marketing leann.allen@hilton.com | 574.323.2461 gillespieconferencecenter.com

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INDIANAPOLIS

INDIANA

9/25/2019 9:50:35 AM

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Industry Update RESTAURANT RECOGNITIONS 56

PEOPLE NEWS 60

SNAPSHOTS 62

BOOKING B E H AV I O R

“Room Block of the Future” reveals booking trends of large-scale, urban convention attendees.

Research courtesy of Kalibri Labs and Prism Advisory Group; funded by PCMA Foundation, NYC & Company and Hilton IN 2018, there were an estimated 500,000

PEOPLE PROFILE 64

business travelers attend citywide conventions

conventions in the U.S. with over 40 million attendees. Conventiongoers have many options when it comes to accommodations, and a positive hotel booking experience plays a part in their overall attendee experience. The purpose of “Room Block of the Future” is to better understand attendees’ room booking behavior and determine the influences and motivations that played a part in their decision. The findings could change how cities, hospitality organizations and business event professionals organize meetings and conferences. “The results of ‘Room Block of the Future’ reflect a shift in the industry that CVBs must adapt to,” says Jerry Cito, executive vice president, convention development at NYC & Company. “The findings will help NYC & Company educate planners and suppliers on the need for flexibility, pricing transparency and potential development of a cross-loyalty program.” Download the full report at pcma.co/roomblockresearch

25% 50% 25%

book in hotels designated as part of the room block, but not through the conference room reservation system

of citywide convention attendees book through the conference organizer’s room reservation system

book in hotels that are not in the room block or in alternate accommodations

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INFOGRAPHIC

REASONS WHY

Cost

A common attendee misperception—affecting booking patterns across different sizes and types of conferences—is that hotel rooms within the block are more expensive. However, the research proves that in most cases (66 percent), rooms within the block are more affordable.

Loyalty

An inability to enter in a loyalty program number was among the top reasons attendees booked in hotels that are part of the room block, but not through the conference organizer’s reservation system.

“One of the more surprising findings from the research was the fact that almost 25 percent of attendees at large citywide conventions actually booked their accommodations at the hotels specified in the room block but did not go through the traditional room reservation process resulting in them not being recognized in the room block. Clearly, this segment of attendees’ room booking priorities were not being met by the existing process.” —MARK LOMANNO, PARTNER AT KALIBRI LABS

Room Choice

Room variety, or lack thereof, is another factor affecting booking patterns. Among many business travelers, a perceived rigidness and the inability to choose a preferred room type played a role.

Age

Overall, younger attendees (59 percent) are more likely to use alternative accommodations like Airbnb.

“It was very unexpected to learn from the survey of citywide attendees just how much it bothers them to lose control of their hotel booking process—being generally unable to do the things they normally do in hotel bookings, such as accessing their loyalty benefits. It’s this desire for control that creates frustration and prompts a quarter of them to make transient bookings in convention hotels to get what they want.” —ELAINE HENDRICKS, PARTNER AT PRISM ADVISORY GROUP

Kalibri Labs and Prism Advisory Group analyzed more than 2 million anonymous hotel and Airbnb guest records from conventions held in Houston, New York City and San Diego between 2015 and 2018 in addition to surveying a sample of U.S. business travelers who have attended a citywide convention.

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Photo Cr

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ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

Photo Credit: Nick Ulivieri

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Festival Hall

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Whether it’s an intimate meeting or a grand gathering, Navy Pier is the place in Chicago to hold an unforgettable event. Our amazing location on the lakefront offers unparalleled views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago skyline and the iconic Centennial Wheel. Versatile event spaces can suit any group from 50 to 12,500. There’s truly no place like Navy Pier.

BOOK YOUR EVENT TODAY 312.595.5300 or navypierevents@navypier.org NAVYPIER.ORG

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REGIONAL NEWS

The Aerie Restaurant Toasted Oak

NATIONAL WINNERS»

The Aerie Restaurant & Lounge at the Grand Traverse Resort near Traverse City, the Rugby Grille at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, and Toasted Oak Grill & Market adjacent to the Renaissance Baronette Hotel in Novi have earned Wine Spectator’s 2019 Best of Award of Excellence. The Aerie, with 16th-floor panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay and a contemporary menu, received its third consecutive Best of Award of Excellence. It is located near the renowned Traverse Wine Coast wineries dotting the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas. With Michigan’s wine country in the backyard, Aerie’s staff strives to provide vintages from around the globe—including featured local wines. “We put great effort into building a wine list that works for our guests from all over the world,” says Alex Truck, Aerie manager and sommelier. “Creating this list is one of the more challenging yet rewarding aspects of what we do. It is an honor to be included with the other recipients of this award who embark on a similar endeavor.”

Rugby Grille

The Rugby Grille has achieved this award every year since 2016 and it has 425 selections and more 3,000 bottles of wine in its inventory. “I am very proud of the work our amazing Rugby Grille sommelier team has put into maintaining a world-class wine list. They are always enhancing our selections and each time they continue to amaze our clientele and our visiting guests. The staff continually strive to be a destination for a memorable culinary and wine experience,” says Steven Kalczynski, managing director at the 31-year-old, AAA Four Diamond luxury Townsend Hotel. Toasted Oak’s wine program consists of more than 325 different bottles of wine with an inventory of more than 2,500 bottles. Toasted Oak’s wine list is curated by Ferris Anthony, the restaurant’s director of food and beverage and sommelier, and restaurant

manager Jackie Phillips. Prices range from $15 to $1,100 per bottle. This year’s Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards program celebrated 38 years of championing excellence in restaurant wine lists. The awards are designed to elevate wine selection and service around the world and encourage strong programs that complement a variety of cuisines, settings and prices, and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. To qualify for the awards program, a restaurant wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections. Wine Spectator bestows its Award of Excellence to restaurants with wine lists featuring at least 90 selections that include a well-chosen assortment of quality producers. aerierestaurant.com; townsendhotel.com; toastedoak.com

P H O T O S : T O A S T E D O A K ; G R A N D T R AV E R S E R E S O R T A N D S PA ; T H E T O W N S E N D H O T E L ; ( O P P O S I T E ) I N N AT B AY H A R B O R

THREE TOP-NOTCH STATE RESTAURANTS EARN EXCELLENCE AWARDS

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P H O T O S : T O A S T E D O A K ; G R A N D T R AV E R S E R E S O R T A N D S PA ; T H E T O W N S E N D H O T E L ; ( O P P O S I T E ) I N N AT B AY H A R B O R

POP-UP OPTIONS»

Bedrock Events Team Turns Former Hard Rock Café in Meeting Venue

The Bedrock Event group this summer transformed the former Hard Rock Café across from Campus Martius Park into a new pop-up venue space in the middle of the central business district. Hard Rock closed the café last January after 16 years of operating downtown, The 8,000-square-foot venue, now called the One Campus Martius Lobby Event Space, can accommodate up to 200 guests strolling, 100 people theater-style, or 64 for a banquet. The flexible space has a built-in stage, bar and reception desk, sound system throughout with power plugs for digital devices and five TV monitors, and a private room that accommodates up to 24 people for a seated function. The OCM Lobby Event Space is available for bookings now through Jan. 31, 2020. bedrockdetroit.com

2018

RESORT FACE-LIFT»

Inn at Bay Harbor Completes Renovations

The luxury 116-room Inn at Bay Harbor, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel overlooking Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay, completed the final phase of extensive renovations by updating its guest rooms and suites. The resort, which opened in 1998, features one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, many with spacious floor plans, full-kitchens, dining areas, and patio balconies providing spectacular lake, quarry and resort views. During the last four years, the resort also renovated its two lakeside restaurants, full-service spa and salon, café and lobby. innatbayharbor.com

BCV 4637 MI Meetings & Events Fall Ad.indd 2

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REGIONAL NEWS

MULTIYEAR PROJECT»

Dossin Museum Plans Event Spaces and Patio

Other improvements will include: • The museum’s outdoor maritime artifact displays will be upgraded with improved signage and placement, including the anchor from the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald, which will be highlighted in a Lost Mariners Memorial to include a garden, custom lighting and seating areas. • New pedestrian lighting, bike racks, benches, a cycle service station and a canine refresh station for pets to coincide with the construction of the Belle Isle section of the Iron Belle Trail, which will pass by the museum entrance. • A new kayak launch with a soft shoreline will stabilize the existing cove adjacent to the museum and serve those interested in nonmotorized recreational water activity. For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, the Detroit River will be accessible from the museum for recreational and educational opportunities. • A riverfront connector trail similar to the Detroit Riverwalk. • Construction of a historic landscape that would reflect the natural setting of Belle Isle before it was developed as a recreational space. The society has raised more than $1.9 million of the project budget and is currently seeking gifts to complete the various phases. detroithistorical.org

The Eames Room on the AC Hotel’s main floor

HOTEL SCENE»

EU ROPE A N F L A IR

AC Hotel adds new concept to downtown Grand Rapids. Michigan’s first AC Hotel, a new Marriott International brand, opened in June in downtown Grand Rapids. The 130-room facility is managed by AHC+Hospitality. AHC worked to transformed the former historic 127-year-old warehouse into a destination for entrepreneurial-minded travelers, featuring minimalist design details and the building’s original brick facade. It’s located at 50 Monroe Ave. NW, between the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Convention Center. “The opening of the AC Hotel is the ideal next step in the continued evolution of downtown Grand Rapids as a flourishing hub for leisure and business travelers,” says Rick Winn, president, AHC+Hospitality. “With its purposeful design and European style, the AC Hotel brings a fresh perspective to the city, providing accommodations for the modern-day traveler and perfectly complementing the mix of properties within the downtown Hotel District.” “From our lobby to our guest rooms, our minimalist aesthetic is intended to allow business and leisure travelers to relax, unwind and connect with the city,” adds Ryan Schmied, general manager for the new facility. “We hope to create a sense of community for both our hotel guests and local residents by hosting a

series of events that will capture Grand Rapids’ essence and history.” Public spaces are furnished by renowned West Michigan-based furniture manufacturer Herman Miller. The lobby design pays homage to early 19th-century Grand Rapids when the area was home to more than 40 furniture companies and earned its nickname Furniture City. The AC Lounge, a focal point of the hotel, serves custom brews by Grand Rapids-based Elk Brewing and spirits from local distillers such as Gray Skies, Coppercraft and Long Road. It features a food and beverage program inspired by the brand’s Spanish roots, including the Signature GinTonic with Hendrick’s Gin and Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic, and tapas-style small bites. The AC Kitchen offers a European-inspired breakfast, such as freshly baked croissants, sliced prosciutto and cheese, savory and sweet breakfast tarts, yogurts and fresh fruit. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, AC Store, and the AC Library, designed as a quiet workspace for guests and locals. Curated programming includes a rotating guest speaker series featuring local creatives, “vinyl and vino” (music and wine) pairing led by the sommelier-certified general manager, temporary art exhibits, and more. marriott.com/grrar

P H O T O S : D O S S I N G R E AT L A K E S M U S E U M ; A C H O T E L G R A N D R A P I D S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) R OYA L PA R K H O T E L

The Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Detroit’s Belle Isle broke ground in July on a $4.9 million outdoor enhancement project that will include some inviting event spaces along the Detroit River. The museum, opened in 1960, will add a riverwalk, a riverfront event patio connected to the facility and an upgraded central lawn area, providing desirable spaces for both public and private events. While the museum site underwent significant renovations in 2013, this new project marks the first time that the museum’s entire campus will be reshaped for historical interpretation and recreation. It is operated by the Detroit Historical Society. The first-phase, a $1.5-million upgrade focusing on visitor amenities, should be completed by December.

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P H O T O S : D O S S I N G R E AT L A K E S M U S E U M ; A C H O T E L G R A N D R A P I D S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) R OYA L PA R K H O T E L

FOURTH HONOR»

ROYAL PARK EARNS BEST EXPERIENCE CREATOR TITLE

Royal Park Hotel, a luxury boutique property in downtown Rochester, received its fourth global award for Best Experience Creator from WorldHotels. Royal Park Hotel, along with The Kunlun Jing An, Shanghai China; The Hotel Quirinale, Rome Italy; The Atlantic Congress Hotel, Essen Germany; and The Derby Hotel, Barcelona Spain were the only hotels from among 350 worldwide to receive an award. Oscar Gomez, WorldHotels Latin America regional director, says “The Royal Park Hotel believes in the importance of collaboration, a shared world and a relentless focus on finding a better way.” Hotel General Manager Susan Keels traveled to Frankfurt, Germany, to accept the award during the WorldHotels annual conference in June. Says Keels: “The award was truly a team effort and we are honored and thrilled to be recognized by WorldHotels. Making memories, traveling like a local and crafting unique experiences for our guests is our main focus. Whether you are a business traveler, wedding couple or someone who lives locally looking for a staycation, you may arrive as a guest but you will stay as friends and leave as family.” The WorldHotels annual conference was established in 1971 and is an opportunity for hoteliers to come together to learn from some of the best leaders and educators in the hospitality industry. Royal Park Hotel was the only hotel in the Americas to be honored. royalparkhotel.net

November 14, 2019 | Breslin Center, Michigan State University

Destination Michigan Showcase • Come see hotels, resorts and unique venues from throughout the state • Education, idea sharing and networking • Complimentary for meeting planners

The Royal Park Hotel staff celebrates the WorldHotels global award on its outdoor terrace.

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REGIONAL NEWS

PEOPLE NEWS»

chairman of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. Loepp, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan, was appointed to the commission in 2015 by former Gov. Rick Snyder. He replaces Chuck Yob as chairman, who resigned from the commission in April. The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is the seven-member governing body of Mackinac State Historic Parks. In 1875, the government land on Mackinac Island, encompassing 50 percent of the island, was designated the second national park in the United States. It was turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895, becoming Michigan’s first state park. At that time, the state legislature created the Mackinac Island State Park Commission to be stewards of the park and its many historic structures. Due to the commission’s efforts, parkland now encompasses more than 80 percent of Mackinac Island, which includes 1,800 acres. The commission also oversees and manages parks on the mainland. The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is responsible for a combined 2,500 acres of parkland within the Mackinac State Historic Parks system, more than 110 buildings, and approximately 1.7 million artifacts. Loepp has been honored as a 2016 recipient of the Edward N. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award and was selected as Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News in 2013. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has named Susan Richardson as director of sales. She brings more than 20 years’ sales experience, including experience in both convention center and hotel sales. Her main priorities will be leading the sales efforts to attract new convention and group business while building relationships with DMCVB partner hotels, venues and attractions throughout the region. In this new role, Richardson will also be responsible for the DMCVB’s 16-person sales team. In her previous role as director of sales and marketing solutions at the Jacob Javits Convention

Center in New York City, she was responsible for all sales efforts of new and existing business and managing a team of sales managers and coordinators. Prior to that position, Richardson served as the director of sales and marketing for the Park Terrace Hotel in New York City.

NEW DESTINATIONS»

Marc Miller is the new eco-

nomic development director for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. He previously served as the Outdoor Recreation Industry and Regional Initiatives deputy director for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for nearly four years. At the DNR, he created an advisory group of Michigan outdoor recreation business leaders and state agencies to focus on conservation and stewardship, education and workforce training, economic development, and public health and wellness. It was the first such effort in the Midwest and established a path for Michigan to create an office of outdoor recreation industry in 2019. He also served six years as the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and as a commissioner on the Great Lakes Commission. Dr. Jochen Wierich joined

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids as curator of sculpture and sculpture exhibitions. Wierich has extensive curatorial experience, having coordinated and directed exhibitions at Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture in Spokane, Washington. While at Cheekwood, Wierich organized and traveled the exhibition “Jaume Plensa: Human Landscape (2015-2016),” the largest exhibition of works by the Spanish artist in the United States to date. By separate agreement, Wierich will hold the Lena E. S. Meijer Professorship in Art History at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

ALLEGIANT AIR EXPANDS NONSTOP SERVICE AT GRAND RAPIDS AIRPORT. Allegiant Air, one of the main carriers at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, will add new nonstop flights to New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jacksonville, Florida, in October. This creates more opportunities for the west Michigan hospitality industry to attract more meetings and events from outside the Midwest. The new seasonal routes will operate twice weekly. With these additions, Allegiant will now serve 11 cities from the Grand Rapids airport. “Allegiant is not just a vested partner in providing air service in western Michigan, but the company has shown its dedication to our community by establishing a base here,” says Brian Picardat, Ford Airport interim president & CEO. “Allegiant has created more than 80 jobs, they have now added their 10th and 11th routes out of the Ford Airport, and they continue to provide an affordable, fun travel experience to new and popular destinations,” he adds. allegiant.com

P H OTO S : K A R I D O U M A ; (O P P O S I T E ) C A D I L L AC A R E A V I S I TO R S B U R E AU

Daniel Loepp was appointed

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Meeting planners received their new professional designations at the annual conference.

NEW TACTICS»

P H OTO S : K A R I D O U M A ; (O P P O S I T E ) C A D I L L AC A R E A V I S I TO R S B U R E AU

CADILLAC BUREAU PLANS TO ATTRACT MORE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS The Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau staff and area facilities are positioning the community to better accommodate government group meetings and events. To do that, one of the CVB’s goals was to have a staff member attain the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) designation. Group Sales Manager Kathy Morin completed that task during the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) Conference in June in Detroit, where thousands of government meeting professionals and suppliers from around the U.S. attended certification, educational and networking sessions for five days. Morin was one of five Michigan professionals who officially earned the CGMP designation. The Michigan SGMP chapter has approximately 150 members and represents a cross section of government employees, association planners, and suppliers from across the State. “The government market is just one segment we are actively pursuing, along with associations, corporate, and various other types of groups,” says Morin. “Cadillac is the perfect location to host a government meeting or event due to our accessible location, various sizes of meeting spaces available, and most of our lodging and meeting facilities are able to accommodate the required state and federal government per diem travel rates.” “Kathy is a perfect fit for this role, and we are excited to actively support her obtaining the tools needed to pursue this market,” says Joy VanDrie, CAVB executive director. cadillacmichigan.com

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SNAPSHOTS MIM+E BEST OF 2019

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State’s Finest Shine at MIM+E Best of 2019

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What a blast! The fabulous Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids hosted the 14th annual Michigan Meetings + Events magazine Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards party in May. We honored everyone from meeting planners and florists to caterers and host cities. Awards were presented in 31 categories, plus seven meetings and events superstars were recognized in the 2019 Hall of Fame. A big thanks goes out to the event sponsors: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Go Great Lakes Bay, Frankenmuth Convention and Visitors Bureau, Discover the Blue and Viviano Flower Shop. 1. Alanna Klomp, CMP, Jerri Nowak and Larisa Draves, CMP. 2. Derek Rafferty, Laurie Burger, Tina Genitti, Sara Carolin, Greg DeSandy, Ron Garbinski, Tori Piersante and Ryan Buck. 3. Ron Garbinski, Laurie Burger and Jim Younger. 4. Christie Bierlein, Ashley Smith, Jamie Furbush, Mike Concannon, Tim Hygh and Karen Hygh. 5. Kim Corcoran 6. Margaret Morse. 7. Leslee Fritz, Terese McInnis and Jennifer Case. 8. Paul Viviano. 9. Meg Gutowski. 10. Sherri and Katarina Fenton. 11. Paul Wegert and Tawnya Johnson. 12. Ryan Buck. 13. Arah Johnson. 14. Lisa Gebhardt and MoReno Taylor II. 15. Stacie Niedzwiecki. 16. Mark Milez Miller and Derek Rafferty. 17. Lyn Gleasure, CMP, CPCE, Greg DeSandy, Lindsay Krause, Larisa Draves, CMP, David C. McKnight, Traci Bahlman, Carol Galle and Ron Garbinski. 18. Sara Carolin. 19. Anita Dombrowski, Nicholas Hardy and Kelsey Rafferty. —Photos by Tate Carlson

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at ron.garbinski@tigeroak.com.

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HOTELIER EXTRAORDINAIRE Ryan Schmied runs the new AC Hotel with plenty of aplomb. B Y M E G A N S W O Y E R

s general manager of the new 130-room AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown, Ryan Schmied enjoys a fast-track life by making sure everything at the stunning boutique-style property is running smoothly.

Formerly a refrigerator production factory, warehouse and most recently a TGI Fridays near the Van Andel Arena, the 19th-century space in which the chic AC is located has quite a history. With the energetic 32-year-old Schmied at the helm, its new incarnation

is in good hands not only because he has a stellar background in hospitality and was raised in an international household with family in the hospitality industry, but he also adores Grand Rapids. Starting as a doorman after high school, Schmied held various operational roles at the JW Marriott Hotel Miami before transitioning to operations manager on the opening team at Hotel Beaux Arts Miami. Most recently beverage director at Miami-based Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering, he’s spent most of his career in Florida. But it’s the Midwest that he’s now savoring and favoring, and that’s not likely to change. “I love Grand Rapids. You get everything you want in a city, and I’ve discovered my local spots,” he says. One of those favorite spots, of course, is the AC and its stunning lounge/lobby area. “We have Herman Miller furniture throughout the lounge—iconic items that make you feel at home,” he says. The lounge is a focal point come evening. “We serve cool cocktails and a signature beer made just for us.” It’s not unusual for Schmied to be passing through the lounge, ensuring guests are comfortable and working with any of his staff of 45. When not working, Schmied can often be found at his condominium, across the street from the hotel, reading about wine. “I’m studying for my advanced sommelier exam coming up in October,” he says, adding that he’ll often play golden-era jazz tunes while studying or relaxing. A record collector, he also spends his free time “crate digging,” in other words, shopping for vinyl records. And that passion has transcended into his job. “We’re doing Vinyl & Vino nights at the hotel lounge, so guests and patrons can bring in their own vinyl. We’ll play our favorites, too, and pair them with an appropriate wine suggestion.” It’s those types of small creative offerings that make this hotel a standout, in a standout city. “Grand Rapids is really coming on, with new developments and people who think,” Schmied says. “It’s going to happen … we’re going to hit the national stage.” And Schmied will be right at the center.

Get Connected AC HOTEL GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN marriott.com | 616.776.3270

I L L U S T R AT I O N : T R A C I Z E L L M A N

PEOPLE PROFILE RYAN SCHMIED

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I L L U S T R AT I O N : T R A C I Z E L L M A N

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• Executive Conference and Breakout Rooms • Newly renovated state-of-the-art Entertainment Hall, Ballroom and More • ASCEND, new sports bar and entertainment venue available for group events • Plus, a Full-Service Salon & Spa, Large Gaming Floor and Award-Winning Dining • Group Access Reward Members earn 10 points for each room booked and 4 points for every dollar spent on Food & Beverage, Spa Services, Concert Tickets or any other amenities. Points can be redeemed for future group events. *Points earned have no cash value and cannot be used for gaming

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Michigan Meetings + Events Fall 2019

Articles inside

PROFILE

SNAPSHOTS

DESTINATION

TREND REPORT

REGIONAL NEWS

VENUE SPOTLIGHT

RENOVATIONS

MEET & EAT

FACILITY UPDATE

NEW HOTEL