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REGIONAL NEWS
Toasted Oak
NATIONAL WINNERS »
THREE TOP-NOTCH STATE RESTAURANTS EARN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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.”
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
The Aerie Restaurant
Rugby Grille
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
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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
MULTIYEAR PROJECT » Dossin Museum Plans Event Spaces and Patio
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.
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 » EUROPEAN FLAIR
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 spacesare 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
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
The Royal Park Hotel staff celebrates the WorldHotels global award on its outdoor terrace.
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
Register now at www.destinationMI.com
PEOPLE NEWS » Daniel Loepp was appointed 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.
Marc Miller is the new economic 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. NEW DESTINATIONS »
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
Meeting planners received their new professional designations at the annual conference.
NEW TACTICS »
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
