Michigan Meetings + Events Spring 2022

Hybrid How-To’s

TIPS ON MANAGING THE MODERN MEETING

Majestic & Memorable

MAGIC HAPPENS IN THE U.P. AND MACKINAC ISLAND

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

Best

IN

College towns offer meeting amenities that are second to none

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DISCOVER HOLLAND

MEET IN DOWNTOWN HOLLAND

Let us help you plan your next meeting!

Great Gathering Places • Historic Downtown • Unique Dutch Attractions Award-Winning Community • 1850 Hotel Rooms 800.506.1299 • holland.org • wendy@holland.org

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MEET LIKE A LOCAL

MICHIGAN’S CAPITAL CITY OFFERS: Virtual Studio & Hybrid Meeting Capabilities • Free Services COVID Protocol Resources • Premier Lodging Including Two New Hotels in 2021 Greater Lansing Safe Pledge Showcasing Commitment to Health & Safety Central Location in Midwest Boosts Attendance • Flexible & Unique Venues Dedicated Staff Committed to Your Success Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau | LANSING.ORG | (517) 487-6800

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5 REASONS TO HOLD YOUR NEXT MEETING ON MACKINAC ISLAND 1

More than 100,000 square-feet of meeting rooms for events big or small.

2

Support from professionally trained staff so you don’t have to sweat the details.

3

So many things to do for attendees – horse-drawn carriage rides, fudge tasting, hiking, biking, golf, shopping and much more.

4

Fantastic menus of excellent dining with upscale and casual options and vibrant nightlife, too.

5

Historic and unique places to stay, from world-class resorts and one-of-a-kind hotels to quaint cottages, luxury condos and Victorian

& s.

REQUEST AN ISLAND MEETING GUIDE

MACKINACISLAND.ORG

1927548-027225-PS

MEETING PLANNERS. MEET HERE.

meetmtp.com

Dorothy Dean, Sales Manager Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (888) 772-2018 dorothy@meetmtp.com

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Contents

SPRING 2 02 2

Feature //

28 Game On!

Whether it’s throwing axes or racing go-karts, everyone wins when team-building takes a sporty turn.

33 Feature //

In Every Issue //

6 President’s Letter 20 Trend Report

It’s Academic Michigan’s university and college towns score straight As when it comes to hosting meetings and conferences.

22 Destination

The Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island are treasured vacation spots. Their charm, beauty and storied history also are idyllic for brainstorming, teambuilding and creativity.

48 People Profile

Karen Totaro ran convention centers from Atlantic City to San Diego before she returned to her Midwest roots to manage Detroit’s Huntington Place.

Top: University of Michigan’s Hussey Room. Bottom: Mission Point Resort

P H OTO S : AU S T I N T H O M A S O N ; M I S S I O N P O I N T R E S O R T; ( 0 P P O S I T E ) S T I X LU D I N G TO N

The authors of “Suddenly Hybrid: Managing the Modern Meeting” share insights and strategies on how to get the most out of gatherings with onsite and remote attendees.

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P H OTO S : AU S T I N T H O M A S O N ; M I S S I O N P O I N T R E S O R T; ( 0 P P O S I T E ) S T I X LU D I N G TO N

STIX Ludington

Meeting Notes //

9 Team-Building Kits

From hypnotherapy to coffee and painting, these kits offer great ways to liven up video conferencing.

12 Open Mic

Ann Arbor-based event producer Cassy Anderson says her years leading Outward Bound expeditions have given her the skills required to navigate today’s turbulent events landscape.

16 CVB Spotlight

With natural beauty, an eclectic downtown, modern venues of all sizes and a strong homegrown culture, Kalamazoo is a welcoming destination for meetings large and small.

Industry Update //

40 Infographic

Re-imagining meetings and events, research by American Express Meetings & Events

42 Regional News

Hybrid How-To’s

TIPS ON MANAGING THE MODERN MEETING

Majestic & Memorable

MAGIC HAPPENS IN THE U.P. AND MACKINAC ISLAND

Awards, venue and people news, association updates and more

46 Snapshots

MotorCity Casino Hotel hosted two events: Visit Detroit Annual Partnership Meeting and Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // S P R I N G 2 0 2 2

Best

IN

{33} College towns offer meeting amenities that are second to none

On the Cover Haworth Hotel at Hope College in Holland

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAWORTH HOTEL, BY LEIGH ANN COBB PHOTOGRAPHY

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P RES I DENT ’ S NOT E

The Journey Ahead

mi.meetingsmags.com mimeetingsmags

“A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence.”

» IF YOU ARE READING THIS, you know a thing or two about perseverance.

In fact, you likely personify it. While myriad industries were affected by COVID, perhaps none came to a screeching halt quite like meetings and events.

As the pandemic raged on, many industries endured fits and starts to their ability to reopen, while meeting planners and DMOs remained fully immersed in a nightmarish Zoomland waiting for employees to return, travel to resume and hotel occupancy rates to rise.

And yet here we are … cautiously emerging from behind our masks wanting to believe that this time it’s for real. That we’ve made it—stronger, wiser, forever changed as individuals and organizations.

At Greenspring Media, we genuinely couldn’t be more thrilled to navigate this “new norm” with you. Just before the pandemic’s onslaught, our parent company Hour Media was in negotiations to purchase the Meetings + Events and Custom Publishing divisions of Tiger Oak Media. Although the pandemic grossly stretched our desired timeline, the wait was worth it.

And now we are in a unique position to help this industry forge a solid path to recovery. How will we do it? By expanding the audience reach to new highs, reinvigorating content by listening and engaging with meetings and events professionals, and sharing best practices through these pages and across our digital platforms.

We will do this all with one goal in mind: to help you navigate this post-pandemic world and to drive business for both your organization as well as our loyal advertising partners across the country.

Thankfully, the amazing editorial, sales and production team that has been devoted to these publications for decades is on board and will play instrumental roles in achieving that goal, as well as bringing back—in person—our Best Of programs.

Greenspring Media has worked closely with the hospitality, meetings and events industries along with their suppliers and partners throughout our 55-year history.

We understand the challenges you have faced, we see the bright opportunities on the horizon, and we look forward to the journey to get there, together.

TAMMY GALVIN

President tgalvin@greenspring.com

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mi.meetingsmags.com

PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES LAURIE BURGER 586.416.4195 | LBURGER@GREENSPRING.COM

CRYSTAL

SUCCESS

EDITOR SHELLEY LEVITT MANAGING EDITOR BETH BUEHLER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CASSY ANDERSON, AMY S. ECKERT, CHRIS WILLIAMS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TONYA SUTFIN ART DIRECTOR TRACI ZELLMANN

PRODUCTION MANAGER LY NGUYEN DIGITAL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON ADVERTISING COORDINATOR MIKAYLA SNYDER

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER + DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS ARTHUR MORRISSEY EVENT OPERATIONS MANAGER RICK KRUEGER COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST TEGHAN MURPHY MARKETING + EVENTS COORDINATOR RACHEL TAYLOR

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS KATHIE GORECKI ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE NATASHA BAJJU DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MICHELLE VANARMAN

REPRINTS For high-quality reprints of 500 or more, call 612.371.5882 or email Lnguyen@greenspring.com.

For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription please contact customer service at 866.660.6247.

9401 James Avenue S., Suite 152, Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone 612.371.5800 Fax 612.371.5801 HOUR MEDIA CEO Stefan Wanczyk President John Balardo

The pages between the covers of this magazine (except for any inserted material) are made from wood fiber that was procured from forests that are sustainably managed to remain healthy, productive, and biologically diverse.

Michigan Meetings + Events is published quarterly © 2022 Greenspring Media. All rights reserved.

FOUR PEOPLE, OR 350. No matter the size of your group, success is more likely here because of all there is to do outside our well-appointed meeting rooms: ski, golf, swim, bike, snowboard, shop, hike, dine, relax. Start planning your Crystal success today.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

C R YS TA L M O U N TA I N .C O M

THOMPSONVILLE, MI

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M E E TI NG NOTE S Products, Places & Inspiration

P H O T O : M I XO L O G Y M I X E R

TEAM-BUILDING KITS » MIXOLOGY MIXER has launched several new team-building and stress-relief kits that offer fun virtual experiences. From coffee and chocolate tastings to hypnotherapy, Mixology Mixer’s activities are a great way to recalibrate and spend time together.

Founded by celebrity event planner Loni Paige, Miami-based Mixology Mixer was created during the pandemic to employ out-of-work bartenders while restaurants and bars closed around the country.

Attendees are sure to be pleased when a Mixology Mixer box shows up on their doorsteps! Here’s a sampler of virtual experience kits available.

STRESS RELIEF

Stress/Anxiety Relief Hypnotherapy: Dan Candell, who travels the world teaching people to release anxiety quickly and gain confidence on demand via hypnosis, leads this team-building session. The kit includes a daily gratitude journal, eye mask, mini bottle of bubbles, 20-minute guided hypnosis,

and one-hour virtual hypnotherapy class with explanations on stress and anxiety.

TASTINGS

But First, Coffee: Guided by Mixology Mixer’s experts, attendees learn about two different varieties of coffee. The kit includes a pour-over coffee maker, a coffee grinder, two types of coffee beans and biscotti.

CREATIVITY

Paint & Sip: Groups are sure to bond while designing their own personalized wine glasses and learning about two different wines on a virtual call with a wine expert. The kit consists of two bottles of wine, two plastic wine tumbler glasses, and a variety of paints, glitter, rhinestones and glue to create a masterpiece.

mixologymixer.com

COMPILED

BY SHELLEY LEVITT

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Signature Drink //

THE CARROT BOI

Courtesy of Iron Gate Bar Wyandotte “The Carrot Boi is what we call our signature drink here at the Iron Gate because it’s both unique and tasty,” according to the Iron Gate food and beverage team. “During a staff meeting, we were experimenting with drinks, and once we came up with the ingredients, we had to decide on a name for the drink. It became a staff inside joke to name it the Carrot Boi. It has since become the most popular cocktail on our menu and one of our favorites to make!”

INGREDIENTS

—1.5 ounces Tito’s Handmade Vodka —.5 ounce carrot syrup —.5 ounce ginger syrup —.75 ounce lemon juice —1 ounce pineapple juice Carrot Syrup or Ginger Syrup: —1/2 cup carrot juice or 1/2 cup ginger juice —1/2 cup granulated sugar INSTRUCTIONS

irongatebarwyandotte.com

Cocktail: Combine all cocktail ingredients in a shaker tin, fill with ice and shake. Add crushed ice into a Collins glass, and double strain ingredients from shaker into glass. Top with a little more crushed ice and garnish with mint and a pineapple frond.

P H O T O : R YA N K L O S O W S K I

Syrup: Combine carrot juice or ginger juice and sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Let cool down, and then pour into a glass jar. Syrup can be stored in refrigerator for two to three weeks.

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P H O T O : R YA N K L O S O W S K I

Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center Old World Charm with Modern Day Convenience Let us assist you with planning a meeting or event in Frankenmuth!

• 10 Meeting Breakout Rooms • Complimentary Wireless Internet • 2 On-Premise Restaurant and Lounges • Live Nightly Entertainment • 360 European-themed Guestrooms • Walking Distance to Main Street Shopping and Attractions • World Famous Frankenmuth® Chicken Dinners plus Custom Menus Located In the Heart of Downtown Frankenmuth

Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center One Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734 frankenmuthmeetings.com • 1-877-213-7664

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Open Mic //

Assessing Risk While Staying Calm My years leading expeditions in the backcountry made me a better event planner.

Cassy Anderson is the owner and creative director of Cassy Rose Events, an Ann Arborbased event production firm with a national reputation for producing distinct experiences.

» MY LOVE FOR EVENT PRODUCTION began in the most unlikely of places: the middle of the woods. After college, I promptly packed up and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, only to return to earn a master’s degree in experiential adventure education (yes, I am literally a master of adventure).

I spent almost a decade working in the field of outdoor education, instructing and directing expeditions for organizations like Outward Bound. There was a multiyear span during which I spent most nights sleeping in tents, not thinking for a moment about producing luxury events to take place under them. Instead, I was focused on designing and implementing experiential curriculum for young people that would challenge them physically and emotionally and—most importantly—provide opportunities for personal growth.

Little did I know that designing educational experiences in the backcountry would provide such a transferrable skillset when I entered the world of event production years later.

REFINING MY EMOTIONAL COMPASS While working in outdoor education, I experienced myriad emergency situations. I’ve been lost in the Sierra Mountains, miles off trail with nothing but a topographical map, my compass and a group of 15-year-olds looking at me expectantly. I’ve responded to all sorts of medical emergencies from broken bones to mysterious stomach bugs. I’ve even found myself on the African island of Zanzibar orchestrating an emergency student evacuation that relied on boats, airplanes and the kindness of more than a few strangers.

While the technical skills and medical response training required for these situations can’t be overstated, the reality is those skills alone were never enough. What has really made the difference in any emergency situation are two things: a highly tuned emotional barometer and my judgment. Because, of course, none of these situations were happening in a vacuum.

While working diligently to triangulate our location on the map, I also had to attend to the physical and emotional needs of the students, not to mention my own rising anxieties (because, seriously, where are we?). While assessing the injuries of the student who had slipped and hurt his arm, I also had to consider the rest of the crew who was now sitting and waiting in the cold rain.

What did they need to stay safe?

RISK-ASSESSMENT SMARTS It is this ability to simultaneously and accurately prioritize critical issues that has directly served me well when producing complex events. And having honed this skill in such a high-stakes industry has provided me with a level of confidence, empathy and calm that I bring to each event we produce.

This is an extremely turbulent time to be in the events industry. For me, there have been two risk assessment concepts from my outdoor education days that have continued to guide me through it all.

The first is weighing the probability of risk vs. the severity of consequences.

Imagine you are planning an outdoor event and considering whether or not to invest in a rain plan tent. How likely is it to rain on your event day? (Hint: this is Michigan, folks). And if it were to rain without a tent, how severely would your event be affected?

This is a fairly straightforward example, but we come across the need to weigh risks throughout the planning process, particularly as we support clients as they navigate the ever-changing COVID pandemic. Last summer, we worked with clients to reimagine what was originally designed as a 200plus guest, gala-style event to an intimate dinner party for 30 VIPs. The additional guests were invited in waves for a socially distanced cocktail-style reception.

The second risk management perspective that I continue to both rely on and develop is my judgment. Judgment is not merely common sense; it is the ability to apply learning from past experiences to come to conclusions about a new situation. And to develop it requires not only experience but the will-

P H OTO S : (O P P O S I T E ) S T I X LU D I N G TO N

BY CASSY ANDERSON

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P H OTO S : (O P P O S I T E ) S T I X LU D I N G TO N

“Judgment is not merely common sense; it is the ability to apply learning from past experiences to come to conclusions about a new situation.”

–CASSY ANDERSON

ingness, ability and, frankly, humility to process those experiences.

After each event, we connect with clients to debrief and listen to their feedback (I’m certain that if you are a current client, you are the benefactor of some of these sessions!). We touch base with creative partners to unpack what worked, what didn’t and what we could all do more effectively moving forward.

We’ve learned so much from this feedback over the years and implemented changes ranging from big-picture processes like the style of oversight we bring to a production site all the way down to the smallest details, like the amount of hands-on support we provide to clients on the day of their events.

I can think of a million ways that producing an Outward Bound course is vastly different than producing an event. And yet, I continually find new ways to apply learnings from that world to produce the most intentional, safe and meaningful experiences for my clients and their guests. If you still don’t believe me, I’ll gladly show you our emergency supply kit. cassyroseevents.com

New Venue Spotlight //

STRIKE! A Ludington bowling alley is reborn as a group-friendly venue.

STIX Ludington has been a staple in the Ludington community since 1954. Recently purchased by local ophthalmologist Andrew Riemer, the bowling alley and adjacent bar have been completely gutted, reconstructed and expanded. Now it’s reopening as a two-story, fine-dining restaurant with a bowling alley featuring state-of-the-art lanes, including Spark technology by Brunswick Bowling Products that provides an augmented reality experience on six of the 12 lanes.

The mezzanine, with its own private bar and a view of live entertainment on the first floor, can be rented for groups and private events involving up to 100 guests.

Larger groups can do a complete buyout (200 capacity). Need more space for your group? Behind the property is a large upper deck known as The Pier, a ground-level beer garden with a bocce and cornhole tournament green, lawn games, fire pits and a wall for projecting movies. stixludington.com

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

A NEW NAME AND BOLD PLANS FOR BOYNE HIGHLANDS RESORT » SOME 60 YEARS AGO, Everett Kircher began transforming the defunct Harbor Highlands ski area into a yearround resort with the best skiing in the Midwest. Boyne Highlands, as Kircher named his vision, delivered. With 435 skiable acres, it became the largest ski area in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, offering the highest vertical terrain and mile-long runs, along with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking in winter and 72 holes of championship golf, horseback trail rides and more in summer. Zipline adventures are available in both seasons.

Now, the resort is embarking on an ambitious multiyear vision. The 2030 Transformational Journey, unveiled in December, begins with rebranding as The Highlands at Harbor Springs. “As we carry out our Transformational Journey, The

Highlands will rise once again to become the grande dame of Midwest resorts with a nurtured sense of charm and place, elevated guest services, and four seasons of curated experiences, all with an enduring commitment to protecting our environment,” says Stephen Kircher, president and CEO of Boyne Resorts and son of Everett Kircher.

The transformation, already underway, is extensive: » Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to provide streamlined, directto-lift ticket purchases. » New equipment to enable snowmaking in marginal temperatures and to provide for the creation of new features within the resort’s five terrain parks.

» Northern Michigan’s only TrackMan Range, a 30-bay setup that allows golfers to practice distance control and shot-shaping using tour-proven swing and ball-flight tracking and analysis. » The makeover of Donald Ross Memorial golf course’s Hole #1 to an accurate facsimile of the famed #6 at Seminole Golf Club in Florida. » Main Lodge renovations, including expanded guest rooms and suites. » Enriched culinary experiences, including a new restaurant that will serve a fusion of steakhouse and Asian fare and feature a speakeasy that evokes a bygone era of northern Michigan’s infamous clubs.

P H O T O S : B OY N E R E S O R T S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) B OY N E R E S O R T S ; A I R PA R T N E R

Venue News //

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P H O T O S : B OY N E R E S O R T S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) B OY N E R E S O R T S ; A I R PA R T N E R

Transportation //

PERSONALIZED GROUP CHARTER SOLUTIONS As international travel restrictions lift and COVID-19 ebbs and flows, many companies are seeking transportation alternatives for group travel as in-person meetings and events are getting back on track. From small meetings to incentive trips and large-scale conferences, Air Partner offers air charter solutions worldwide to help corporate travelers get to their destinations safely and in style.

“Based on the recent inquiries and bookings we received in 2021, we predict more businesses will invest in private charters for their MICE travel needs with added emphasis surrounding employee health and safety,” says Simon Moore, senior vice president of group charter U.S. for Air Partner.

For more than 60 years, Air Partner has given companies the opportunity to choose their preferred aircraft from a wide variety of options, such as a private Airbus or larger Gulfstream ideal for transatlantic travel. The company allows customers to design a flight schedule and event itinerary that suits their traveling requirements and to select preferences such as socially distanced seating configurations and temperature checks.

Additional benefits include private terminal and lounge access globally; custom on-board dining with the option to curate a special menu; branding options such as designing the exterior of the aircraft, headrest covers and in-flight entertainment; and assistance with check-in, luggage and pre-flight catering for larger events.

Air Partner has 17 locations globally, with its U.S. headquarters located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and global headquarters situated alongside Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom. airpartner.com Lodge renovations: Slope 63 bar, lobby and café

» A multilevel European-inspired spa and pool complex. The 14,000-square-foot spa will include 15 thermal elements—a Russianstyle banya bathhouse, steam rooms, salt therapy and other therapeutic elements— and seven treatment rooms that will offer a holistic approach to facials and body treatments. The indoor-outdoor pool area is set to include a main pool, three hot tubs, café and yoga pavilion. » Expansion of the trail system for hiking and biking. » A game room including a golf simulator, bowling alley and arcade games. » A state-of-the-art conference center, equestrian facility and day lodge. highlandsfuture.com/2030-journey

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

CVB Spotlight //

Get to Know Kalamazoo

With a strong homegrown and handcrafted culture, a vibrant downtown, ample recreation and miles of outdoor trails, Kalamazoo is an inviting place to gather.

BY CHRIS WILLIAMS AND SHELLEY LEVITT

POPULATION: 76,000 in the city

of Kalamazoo; 265,000 in Kalamazoo County

TRANSPORTATION: Located halfway

between Detroit and Chicago, Kalamazoo is a convenient destination for meetings.

Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport serves American and Delta airlines for connections to destinations farther away.

VIBE: “Kalamazoo is a beautifully diverse community for our size and is home to many entrepreneurs and innovators,” says Dana Wagner, director of marketing and communications for Discover Kalamazoo. “We’re passionate about supporting local businesses and experiences.

We have an approachable urban environment, with a downtown full of eateries, breweries, arts and entertainment, and we have plenty of great ways to enjoy the natural environment.”

HOTELS: Kalamazoo County has 53 hotel properties with a total of 3,792 guestrooms. The largest full-service hotels are Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo (340 guest rooms, 44,000 square feet of meeting space), and Delta Hotels by Marriott Kalamazoo Conference Center (180 guest rooms, 42,000 square feet of meeting space).

RESTAURANTS: “Like our population, our restaurant scene is eclectic,” says Wagner.

P H OTO : D I S COV E R K A L A M A ZO O

Downtown Kalamazoo

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P H OTO : D I S COV E R K A L A M A ZO O

Count on our unparalleled safety procedures and dedicated team of professionals to design an event perfectly suited to your vision.

X

FLINT & GENESEE

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M EETI N G NOT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

It includes global cuisine, food trucks, fine dining, burgers (including plant-based options), breweries and wine-focused spots. Two standouts that accommodate group dining are 600 Kitchen & Bar, with bread, dairy, produce and meat sourced from Michigan farmers and artisans, and the newly opened Brick and Brine in the lobby of Radisson Plaza. Brick and Brine features new American fare, private event spaces and sliding glass walls that create an open-air dining experience.

VENUES: Kalamazoo offers a wide range of venues beyond hotels and restaurants.

The Foundry, which encompasses 52,000 square feet and describes itself as “Kalamazoo’s first Living Office,” offers seamless built-in technology in industrial-chic meeting spaces that include The Workshop (capacity 16), The Forum (capacity 60), The Plaza (capacity 250) and The Veranda (capacity 150). Bell’s

Eccentric Café and Store, Michigan’s oldest craft brewery, has space available for private events of 30 to 370 guests.

Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairgrounds has sprawling space, including a 4,500-seat grandstand, for gatherings like trade shows, festivals and car shows. Wings Event Center, home to Kalamazoo Wings ice hockey team, has three full-size arenas and can host events for up to 6,400 people.

Kalamazoo’s cultural venues are also available for private gatherings.

Kalamazoo Air Zoo showcases more than 100 rare air and space artifacts; offers amusement park-style rides, fullmotion flight simulators and a newly renovated Quonset hut-style Missions Theater; and has event space for groups of 10 to 2,000. “They’re able to set up right on the museum floor,” Wagner says, “so you can actually hold your meeting next to a very rare SR-71 Blackbird aircraft.”

Right outside Kalamazoo, in Hickory Corners, is North America’s largest auto museum. The 90-acre Gilmore Car Museum features 435 unique vehicles and has nearly 220,000 square feet of exhibit space. With a 90-acre campus and dozens of facilities, the Gilmore can host events of all sizes and offers group experiences that include private museum tours, a Model T driving experience and behindthe-scenes vault tours.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, well known for its beautiful sculpture garden and a recently acquired, stunning glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly that hangs in the foyer, is available for cocktail receptions, dinners, product launches, film premieres and more.

SHOP: Kalamazoo Mall, located downtown, was the first outdoor pedestrian mall in the U.S. It features revitalized Art Deco buildings, restaurants, coffee shops,

P H OTO S : D I S COV E R K A L A M A ZO O

Left to right: Kalamazoo Nature Center; Kalamazoo Air Zoo; The Aroma Labs (top); Central Commons Refreshment Area (bottom)

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P H OTO S : D I S COV E R K A L A M A ZO O

brewpubs and shops that offer wares by local makers and artisans.

DIY: For scent-sensational team-building

experiences, groups can visit The Aroma Labs and Kalamazoo Candle Company to create custom fragrances and candles.

Groups also can visit Mason Jar Plant Shop and make their own terrarium or take an interactive class in kokedama (a moss ball style of Japanese bonsai).

GET OUTDOORS: Kal-Haven Trail and the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail are part of the 275-mile Great Laketo-Lake Trails, and both run directly through Kalamazoo. The marked trails are great for walking, running or cycling and also offer historic points of interest along the way. Another outdoor option is Kalamazoo Nature Center, home to more than 14 miles of trails that wind through woods, wetlands and prairies.

SIP AND STROLL: At Downtown Social District and the new Central Commons Refreshment Area, grab an alcoholic beverage from one of the participating restaurants, bars, wineries or breweries and enjoy while you explore downtown.

HOW THE CVB HELPS: “We want Dis-

cover Kalamazoo to be your one-stop shop,” says Wagner. “We can help meeting and event planners with bid proposals, hotel selection, off-site venues, catering, itinerary planning, promotion and marketing. We provide our services free of charge to make the planning process not just easier but also enjoyable, all so both the planner and attendees have a memorable experience and will want to return to Kalamazoo for their meetings and events for years to come. discoverkalamazoo.com/meet 269.488.9000

PLAN YOUR EVENT

DETROIT  AUBURN HILLS 500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr. Auburn Hills, MI | 248-237-6609 Bob.raymond@topgolf.com

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TR EN D RE P ORT Hybrid Meetings

Hybrid Know-How » LIKE IT OR NOT, hybrid meetings are here to stay. Managing these gatherings, where some attendees are in the room and others are Zooming in, requires new skills from meeting planners.

In their new book “Suddenly Hybrid: Managing the Modern Meeting” (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), authors Karin Reed and Joseph Allen, Ph.D., offer a guide to navigating this new normal. She’s a former Emmy-winning broadcast journalist who now coaches C-suite executives in effective on-camera communications; he’s a professor of industrial and organizational psychology at University of Utah and a leading expert on workplace meetings.

Reed and Allen are also the co-authors of a previous book, “Suddenly Virtual: Making Remote Meetings Work.”

They shared insights and advice with Michigan Meetings + Events.

M+E: Is there more to planning a hybrid meeting than providing remote attendees with a Zoom number?

JA: Actually, there’s more to planning any meeting than scheduling a room, physical or otherwise. Too often we just schedule a meeting without thinking about if the meeting is needed in the first place or if another form of communication would suf-

fice. As for hybrid specifically, you should follow all the good meeting practices that have been preached for years (e.g., have an agenda/purpose, identify appropriate attendees, make sure you schedule the right space, start/end on time, and so on), and then you have to be prepared to manage a multimodal communication environment.

That, my friend, is the hard part. You have to be prepared to make sure the remote attendees, video or audio, aren’t lost to the in-person conversation. And since hybrid can include all sorts of multimodal compositions (two in a room with three on Zoom, three in a room with two on Zoom who may or may not have cameras

P H O T O : I N S TA _ P H O T O S - S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M

Read tips from two bestselling pros on the challenges and opportunities of managing the modern meeting. BY SHELLEY LEVITT

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P H O T O : I N S TA _ P H O T O S - S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M

for the remote participants. It’s so easy to forget the people online; we already have memes to joke about it. By assigning an ally, it allows the organizer to facilitate the meeting and the ally to help keep remote folks involved.

on), assuming that you know how to navigate this environment without a little practice is probably not a safe assumption.

KR: With a hybrid meeting involving inperson and virtual attendees, there’s always a risk that those joining remotely will be forgotten unless efforts are made by the leader and attendees to ensure that doesn’t happen. That means the leader needs to raise everyone’s awareness about who is in the meeting room virtually and physically.

Policies like letting the remote attendees speak first also can help to ensure those who are virtual have their voices heard.

It sets the tone for the rest of the meeting.

Attendees also can do their part by prompting remote attendees to give their opinions.

KR: In a hybrid meeting, a leader has to be more proactive in facilitating the discussion. Just letting it be a free-for-all won’t work because those who are virtual will have difficulty breaking into the conversation being had around the conference room table. Establish a turn-taking policy that works for your team’s culture, and then make sure people stick to it. By letting everyone know how to get into the conversation queue, it levels the playing field of ideas, allowing people to participate in a more egalitarian way.

M+E: In pre-pandemic times, a large meeting, complete with keynote speakers and presentations, might have taken place in a hotel ballroom with hundreds of people in attendance. Is it possible to do that type of event in a hybrid format?

If so, how can a planner avoid some common pitfalls?

M+E: For brainstorming sessions, where some attendees will be on-site and others will be remote, what are two or three things that meeting planners should do before the meeting?

JA: Yes, it’s possible. The question is, are the in-person people trained on how to facilitate such a meeting, and do they have the right equipment to do it? In other words, you need the hardware, the software and the skillware to do it. For example, one common pitfall is calling something hybrid and then it really becomes a lot of remote attendees watching in-person folks have a meeting. To avoid that, make sure that the remote attendees can be seen and heard and encourage them to chime in, even when it might feel like they are interrupting.

JA: First, figure out how people will share their ideas. Perhaps assign a person in the room to record in-room ideas onto a virtual whiteboard that the remote attendees have access to and can add their ideas to directly. Second, identify in-room allies

KR: It’s also important to train the speakers or at least make them aware of the virtual audience. Suggest that they play not just to the people sitting in front of them but to the people joining remotely as well. Consider the camera as the conduit

to that audience and spend time speaking to the camera lens as much as they do to the audience in the physical room.

M+E: What are some lessons you’ve learned about running large hybrid gatherings that might be counterintuitive?

JA: I’ve learned that remote folks actually still want to participate, even though they aren’t in the room. So, make it as easy as possible to let them.

KR: A little training goes a long way. Too often, we assume that if we have the technology available, people will use it. However, people are sometimes afraid to try something new without real guidance. Do a quick tutorial on how to use any technology that is available during the gathering, so it doesn’t just gather metaphorical dust. Lower the barrier to usage by empowering them to test it out. For example, if you have set up kiosks where in-person attendees can connect with virtual attendees, explain how to use them at the beginning of the meeting, perhaps showing them live how it works.

M+E: How can meeting planners learn to love hybrid meetings?

JA: Well, from our data, hybrid meetings appear to be just as good as face-to-face and virtual, when done right. It is the most inclusive type of meeting. But, to make it so, it takes extra work. However, a good meeting inspires people. A bad meeting causes a minimum of three follow-up meetings. I think the extra effort is worth it!

KR: Flexibility is the key when it comes to the future of work. If you truly believe in hybrid work, hybrid meetings are the essential communication pathway that allows people to work from wherever, whenever. Hybrid gatherings break down geographic boundaries and allow you to cast a much wider net for participants and attendees, leading to a richer exchange of ideas. Who doesn’t love that?

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DE ST I NAT ION Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island

A Majestic, Storied Region

When you meet in one of the country’s great leisure destinations, sparks fly and creativity soars. BY AMY S. ECKERT » KNOWN FOR dense forests and trout streams, remote Great Lakes beaches and cottage living, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) and Mackinac Island have long been the settings for memorable vacations. The same natural beauty and endless outdoor activities that attract leisure visitors make

the area an appealing destination for corporate meetings and retreats.

Circling Mackinac Island from the seat of a bicycle can provide a restorative break between professional development sessions. Hiking a portion of the North Country Trail with a colleague offers an invigorat-

ing opportunity to enjoy the fresh air while refining corporate strategy. A sightseeing cruise beneath the Mackinac Bridge promises an unforgettable evening social hour.

The option to add some vacation time at Isle Royale National Park or Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore provides association

P H OTO : C S T E R K E N - S TO C K . A D O B E .CO M

Kayaking at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of many reasons to linger in the Upper Peninsula post-conference

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UP2017

P H OTO : C S T E R K E N - S TO C K . A D O B E .CO M

Plan your next meeting where your team wants to be — Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

With its boundless natural beauty and welcoming communities, it’s easy to brainstorm, problem-solve and fire up your team here.

Then strengthen relationships with kayaking, hiking and a plethora of outdoor and cultural activities. Start your planning on our meetings page at uptravel.com.

PICTURED ROCKS THE UPPER PENINSULA MICHIGAN

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DE ST I NAT ION Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island

members with just the incentive they need to attend an annual convention in the U.P. Add to these amenities the availability of Lake Superior whitefish dinners, award-winning microbreweries and— with any luck—the appearance of the Northern Lights, and planning a conference in the U.P. or on Mackinac Island makes good business sense.

MACKINAC ISLAND GATHERINGS Imagine: Meeting attendees travel to their conference destination via ferry, across the Straits of Mackinac. Horse-drawn carriages transport guests to their conference hotel, and evening gatherings are held on a grassy lawn, overlooking the Mackinac Bridge.

“Mackinac Island is like stepping back in time,” says Tim Hygh, executive director of Mackinac Island Tourism. “There are no

cars on the island, and as soon as you get off the boat you begin to experience the turnof-the-century ambiance and your blood pressure drops 100 points. It’s just a great setting for productivity, for creativity, and for deepening bonds with colleagues.”

There are few meeting destinations in Michigan quite so charming as Mackinac Island. And among the island’s most enchanting conference hotels is the 388room Grand Hotel, which dates back to 1887. The hotel’s Woodfill Conference Center houses six meeting rooms under a single roof, ranging from an intimate 14-person conference room to a theater with a 1,000-person capacity and a dining room that accommodates 1,500.

Between meetings, guests can enjoy an entertaining oral history of the hotel, travel by horse-drawn carriage into the island’s interior, and continue conversation over cocktails in Grand Hotel’s

rooftop Cupola Bar or on the hotel’s front porch, which at 666 feet long lays claim to being the largest front porch in the world.

“Sitting on that front porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac is just a magical experience,” says Hygh.

On the sunrise side of Mackinac Island is the 241-room Mission Point Resort, which spans 18 waterfront acres of Lake Huron. The property has 38,000 square feet of meeting space with 13 flexible meeting rooms located within the resort’s dedicated convention center. Conference organizers also will find two event spaces in the main hotel and a newly renovated sound stage that can be transformed into a special events location. Mission Point staff can assist meeting planners with organizing events for as few as a dozen and for as many as 450 attendees. “The property used to be a college before it was converted into a resort,” says Hygh. “Today,

P H OTO S : L A N D M A R K I N N ; M AC K I N AC I S L A N D TO U R I S M B U R E AU

Views Abound: From left, The Parlour at Landmark Inn in Marquette (left) and the Promenade Deck at Mission Point Resort (right)

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P H OTO S : L A N D M A R K I N N ; M AC K I N AC I S L A N D TO U R I S M B U R E AU

DE ST I NAT ION Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island

WOODED MEETING VENUES Marquette, the largest city in the U.P., offers a variety of meeting spaces at Northern Michigan University (see story on page 33). Gatherings also can be held at Marquette’s Landmark Inn. Considered to be one of the U.P.’s storied hotels and among the most popular special events destinations in the city, Landmark Inn was opened in 1930 as Northland Inn.

The property became famous for its marble stairways, crackling fireplaces and guest lists that included celebrities like Amelia Earhart, Abbott and Costello, and Jimmy Stewart.

A modern restoration preserved the Landmark’s historic architecture while adding the conference technology that makes the hotel’s four event rooms popular, whether for board meetings, cocktail parties or presentations for 10 to 140.

Marquette Regional History Center is another venue that allows guests to immerse themselves in the area’s heritage.

With a capacity of up to 180 for a banquetstyle setup, the museum explores the U.P.’s history. Guests can view exhibits related to the region’s prehistoric copper culture, fur-trading and mining history and its

Gathering around a crackling fire at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

diverse natural resources, including the local Lake Superior flora and fauna.

In eastern U.P., Sault Ste. Marie’s largest facility for conventions is Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center.

With full-service banquet facilities, a 160room, on-site hotel and 30,000 square feet of flexible event space, Kewadin makes it possible for groups of up to 800 to stage their entire business gathering from start to finish within a single building.

Downtown, overlooking Sault Ste. Marie’s Soo Locks Park, is the historic Ramada Plaza Ojibway Hotel. With 71 guest rooms and more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space, groups of up to 150 can be accommodated. Dating back to 1927, Ojibway Hotel is within walking distance of downtown dining and

P H O T O : K E W E E N AW M O U N TA I N L O D G E

they have a number of restaurants and bars and some phenomenal event space.”

After strategy sessions, meeting guests can socialize over dinner alfresco, watching freighters pass through the Straits from a comfortable perch on the resort’s broad lawn or from the seat of a bike, pedaling to downtown Mackinac Island’s fudge shops.

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P H O T O : K E W E E N AW M O U N TA I N L O D G E

mackinacisland.org | uptravel.com |

800.454.5227

906.774.5480

NT CE ION NT VE ON EC AG RT G MO

VA

VA ND YK

COPPER COUNTRY CONVENTIONS As a gateway to Isle Royale National Park and surrounded by the Lake Superior surf, Keweenaw Peninsula ranks as one of Michigan’s most scenic destinations.

The region is also known for its copper mining history and as home to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, a singular getaway for conferences and corporate retreats.

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge sits near the northernmost tip of Keweenaw Peninsula, just outside Copper Harbor.

Built as a Works Progress Administration project in 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression, the lodge and its 24 cabins are constructed from timber removed during the building of the nine-hole golf course adjacent to the lodge.

Meeting attendees can gather at the 6,000-square-foot conference and banquet center and continue the networking and conversation in the resort’s impressive dining room, a vaulted space constructed of massive local timber and made cozy by a large stone fireplace. After the conference, attendees may want to linger and enjoy all that the U.P. has to offer. At Keweenaw, that includes moonlit snowshoe hikes, sea kayak tours on Lake Superior, birding and FlingGolf, an approachable form of the traditional game where a single FlingStick is used in place of a set of clubs. It’s a fitting activity for a destination where the vibe is always relaxed, inclusive and fun.

ER

attractions, including Karl’s Cuisine, Soo Brewing Company and Tower of History.

From either hotel, meeting attendees can head outdoors to watch ships pass through the Soo Locks, stroll the banks of St. Mary’s River, or venture farther afield to Whitefish Point or Tahquamenon Falls State Park to experience some of the region’s more remote natural beauty.

MEET IN MUSKEGON

SCHEDULE YOUR SITE VISIT VISITMUSKEGON.ORG

INFO@VISITMUSKEGON.ORG 231.724.3100

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E M A G !

N O

G AXES N I W O THR FROM ARTS, K O G ING EN TO RAC INS WH W Y D BO S EVERY G TAKE N I D L I BU .

TEAMY TURN T R O P AS

» BY

WI LLI S I R H C

AMS

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e Zoom h t m o r ay f tep aw dsheets a e r p s t the call. Pu ce onferen c e h t xit r aside. E to foste t n a w f you n room. I engthe r t s d n ration a collabo helps to it , s e u ag ng colle o m a s fun and bond e m o s e eat, hav w s a etition. k p m o c brea ly e friend l t t li ing a in y meet a d i engage lt u m uring a d ’s it office r r e u h t o e y h h W it etreat w r n o to o n fter s ways s le t n or an a u co n offers a ig h ic uilding.

M b , s e m t a a e m ot roach t p p a y t por take a s

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Home to two indoor race tracks featuring Michigan’s fastest electric go-karts, High Caliber Karting and Entertainment provides an instant adrenaline boost. When not careening down the tracks at 50 mph, guests can enjoy a Rage Room, Throw Bowling, Pocket Soccer, an arcade and 16 digital axe-throwing arenas. “The only people who aren’t going to have fun are people who don’t like fun,” says General Manager Zach Bingham. The venue’s six meeting spaces—including four VIP rooms—can accommodate groups ranging from eight to 150, with food available from two bars. Groups can choose from a variety of activities or rent the entire facility.

LOCKED460 ESCAPE ROOMS» GRAND RAPIDS

Sometimes the most riveting competitions require breaking a mental sweat.

Locked460 is one of Michigan’s premier escape room destinations and has been named the #1 Fun Thing to Do in Grand Rapids by TripAdvisor five times since 2017. Groups can rent any of the three themed escape rooms or reserve the entire facility. Each room is recommended for six to eight people, with a maximum capacity of 28 for all three. The $25-per-person fee is reduced to $21 for groups of 17 or more.

Food and beverage setups are available, but food is not provided; several restaurants are available within walking distance.

FEATHER BOWLING AT BATH CITY BISTRO» MOUNT CLEMENS

A combination of bocce ball and shuffleboard, feather bowling is an unusual and engaging way to forge team bonds. Players slide a wooden disc down a lane and try to get closest to a pigeon feather that’s planted in the center of the trough at the end of the lane. For more than 25 years, Bath City Bistro has been one of metro Detroit’s only

feather bowling destinations. “People come to us for the competition and because the food is excellent,” says Event Coordinator Louise Cebalt. Bath City Bistro offers three lanes for feather bowling, which can be reserved for private events and groups of 20 or more, and catered buffets that include pizza, pasta, salads and entrées like Michigan cherry chicken and New York strip steak. Discounted group rates are available on weekdays.

TREERUNNER ADVENTURE PARK» GRAND RAPIDS

Take your group to new heights at this aerial park, featuring ziplines and multiple challenges throughout its seven trails. With a variety of courses available and ongoing special events, including Glow Nights on summer weekends, no two visits are the same.

All levels of fitness and appetites for adventure can be accommodated. “There are trails available for climbers from the beginner level to expert,” says Guest Experience Manager Destiny Campbell. “Schools, youth groups and sports teams visit our park frequently and love that they can always find a challenge in the trees. We regularly host corporate groups that participate in our various team-building activities and also just enjoy climbing together.” Guests can bring their own food and beverages into the park to enjoy at picnic tables. Tickets range from $35-$45. TreeRunner also has locations in Rochester and West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

DETROIT AXE» METRO DETROIT

Axe throwing has become a popular group activity, thanks both to its novelty and accessibility. Detroit Axe co-owner Geoff Kretchmer says most novice axe flingers find they’re better at it than they could have imagined. “They think it’s going to be difficult, but our axe masters show them how to do it,” he says. “They’re surprised at just how easy it is.” Detroit Axe

operates three locations in metro Detroit: Clinton Township, Ferndale and Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. Each has its own take on food, beverage and entertainment options, including full bars, buffets and board games. Event rates and rentals are available for groups of 36 or more.

TOPGOLF» AUBURN HILLS

Take your game to the extreme at Topgolf, a golf experience featuring high-tech games designed for players of all skill levels. It’s a fun experience, the company’s website promises, “even if you’re getting more holesin-nones than holes-in-ones.” The threestory facility offers covered and heated bays, making it a popular destination throughout the year. Between games, guests can enjoy food and beverages prepared by Topgolf’s executive chef. “It’s all first class,” says Bob Raymond, director of sales. “We strive to go above and beyond.” For groups and special events, Topgolf offers a variety of bay rental and catering options, as well numerous event enhancements, including live leaderboards, personal coaches and team gifts.

P H OTO S : H I G H C A L I B E R K A R T I N G ; D E T R O I T A X E ; TO P G O L F

HIGH CALIBER KARTING AND ENTERTAINMENT» OKEMOS

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Throw bowling at High Caliber; Detroit Axe; Topgolf; go-carting at High Caliber

P H OTO S : H I G H C A L I B E R K A R T I N G ; D E T R O I T A X E ; TO P G O L F

bathcitybistro.com 586.469.0917 detroitaxe.com 313.285.8080 highcaliberkarting.com 517.721.1790 locked460.com 616.228.7600 topgolf.com/us 248.904.1032 treerunnerparks.com/grandrapids 616.226.3993

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IT’ S

AC A D E M I C Michigan’s university and college towns earn more than a passing grade when it comes to the venues and amenities they offer for meetings and conferences.

P H OTO : JACO B - S TO C K . A D O B E .CO M

BY AMY S. ECKERT

Michigan State University

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Go

Spartans! Go Wildcats!

Go Broncos! Go Blue!

Michigan has plenty to cheer about when it comes to campus life.

According to Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the Great Lakes State ranks among the top 15 states in the country for the most post-high school institutions.

Some 93 colleges and universities call Michigan home, with many of these schools operating multiple campuses.

Nearly every one of these institu-

John H. Kulhavi Events Center at Central Michigan University

tions rents its facilities to outside conferences and corporate events. college football stadiums and basketball arenas, auditoriums, museums, theatres and even gardens. They also will be able to take advantage of resources that include faculty speakers, collegiate event organizers, audiovisual staff and food services, all available to assist with the organization of corporate events.

P H OTO S : C E N T R A L M I C H I G A N U N I V E R S I T Y; N O R T H E R N M I C H I G A N U N I V E R S I T Y

Planners will find meeting venues at

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Flexible Spaces, Flexible Meetings

Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University

While the options for corporate meetings on colleges increase in the summer months when students have largely left town, you’ll want to think beyond June, July and August as you consider a campus-centered event. Most university facilities have the capacity to host private events year-round.

What’s more, university event spaces frequently offer planners a level of flexibility that might be surprising. At a 2019 World Finals competition of Odyssey of the Mind, Michigan State University’s basketball arena was reconfigured into a creative problem-solving lab for 15,000 school-age students, their coaches and parents. The Breslin Center experienced a far different transformation in 2021, when the arena was converted into an 800-seat banquet hall for the Michigan Celebrates Small Business’ annual gala and awards banquet.

Theaters and auditoriums at colleges across the state morph from music and dance venues to auditoriums for keynote addresses; campus dining services transform into conference catering services; and student dormitories offer inexpensive lodging options for budget-conscious meeting planners.

Chris Rowley, executive director of Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which includes the Central Michigan University campus, cites an additional benefit that college towns enjoy in the COVID era: the technology and expertise to include remote attendees seamlessly.

“Central Michigan and universities across Michigan have the know-how to produce hybrid meetings in a way that almost no other venues do, because they have had to offer hybrid learning to their students all along,” says Rowley. Even as most communities and educational institutions foresee an uptick in in-person conferences following the devastating effects of COVID-19 on travel, corporate planners’ optimism is best described as cautious. Knowing that a venue has the

potential for providing a fusion of in-person and remote meeting options can allay concerns about moving forward with a conference or meeting.

A Symbiotic Relationship

In many college towns, the largest and most modern event spaces—indeed, sometimes a town’s only large-scale special event spaces—are located on college campuses. In Ann Arbor, for example, the city’s most spacious indoor meeting venue is Hill Auditorium with seating for 3,500. Its largest outdoor venue is Michigan Stadium, known as the “Big House,” with a capacity of more than 107,000.

Both are part of University of Michigan’s campus. In Kalamazoo, the city’s largest special event space is Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium with a capacity of 3,500.

In Mount Pleasant, the city’s premier venues are Central Michigan University’s John H. Kulhavi Events Center with the ability to host 5,300 attendees and the new CMU Chippewa Champions Center, which includes arena space for 30,000.

And in Marquette, the granddaddy of event spaces is Superior Dome, which ranks as the world’s largest wooden dome.

The dome can accommodate as many as 16,000 people and sits on Northern Michigan University’s campus.

Without a strong collaboration with the local college or university, the ability of these cities to host large conferences would be extremely limited.

The relationship between college event venues and a city’s amenities is a welltrafficked, two-way street. Colleges and universities often rely on their CVB partners for lodging when it comes to large meetings and conferences. In Marquette, for example, there is no lodging on the NMU campus to accommodate conference attendees of even a moderate-sized event. Even in Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan manages two

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P H OTO S : C H R I S T I A N H O R A N ; (O P P O S I T E ) DA RY L M A R S H K E

Graduate Hotel, Ann Arbor

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P H OTO S : C H R I S T I A N H O R A N ; (O P P O S I T E ) DA RY L M A R S H K E

university hotels, Inn at the Michigan League and Bell Tower Hotel, the number of available on-campus guest rooms often falls short of corporate demand.

With locations in Ann Arbor and East Lansing, Graduate Hotels bridge the gap between the availability of campus housing and guest demand. Separate from their respective universities and located near, but not on, university property, Graduate emphasizes the local collegiate vibe: a maize and blue color scheme near University of Michigan, a green and white combination near Michigan State University, in-room stadium blankets and university-themed artwork.

Meeting planners shouldn’t underestimate the appeal of this evocation of bygone college days.

Nancy Harper, a national sales account executive for Destination Ann Arbor, says that nostalgia for college life is a big factor in boosting attendance at Ann Arbor events. “The university themes are extremely popular with our corporate guests,” she says. “And because of the Graduate Hotel’s proximity to campus, a lot of our guests don’t realize they aren’t actually on U of M property.”

On the other hand, for younger conference attendees or gatherings of nonprofits and others on limited budgets, the availability of on-campus dormitory space can be a key element in assuring a robust turnout for an event.

“In Holland, we have lodging within Hope College’s Haworth Hotel and Conference Center,” says Wendy Link, sales director for Holland Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There’s more lodging throughout the downtown and at hotels farther out, but Cook Hall dormitory is connected to the Haworth Center and considerably cheaper than hotel rooms would be.”

Far from the university dormitories of lore, with bunkbeds and communal restrooms, Cook Hall and its modern counterparts feature suites, standard beds, conversation nooks, coffee bars, and even small kitchens and laundry facilities.

Hill Auditorium

SPOTLIGHT ON Michigan’s college campuses are home to some of the state’s largest and most attractive meeting space.

Here’s a quick look at just a few of these venues.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Hill Auditorium

» 35,000 square feet of flexible event space » 32 event rooms that accommodate 12 to 1,200 guests » 160 guest rooms kelloggcenter.com

» Seating for up to 3,500 guests » Perfect for keynote addresses and after-hours entertainment » Built by Art Deco architectural master Albert Kahn in 1913 smtd.umich.edu/about/facilities/ available-for-rental

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Northern Center » 25,000 square feet of flexible event space » 10 event rooms that accommodate 20 to 1,000 people nmu.edu/northerncenter

NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE Hagerty Center » More than 6,000 square feet of flexible event space plus pre-function area » Waterfront conference center overlooking Grand Traverse Bay » Adjoins Great Lakes Culinary Institute for fine catering hagertycenter.com

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY Mike Ilitch School of Business » Event space accommodates 6 to 256 people » Located in District Detroit, near independent shopping, dining and sports venues » Rooftop terrace for outdoor functions overlooking Woodward Avenue ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu/about/ spaces.php

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Fetzer Center » 18,000 square feet of flexible event space » 15 event rooms that accommodate up to 400 people wmich.edu/fetzer

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Using college dorm space, however, is typically an option only in summer months, when students are on break.

Museum Visits, Performing Arts and Sporting Events

The cultural attractions and sporting events that draw visitors to college towns are also big draws for conferences and attendees. “Being able to plan an evening event or a social gathering in one of Michigan State University’s cultural institutions definitely works in our favor when we’re trying to win a convention,” says David Buckenberger, senior vice president of business development for Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Buckenberger has seen professional associations hold cocktail receptions in the lobby of MSU’s Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, where guests are surrounded by contemporary sculpture and enjoy the striking steel-and-glass façade of the building, which was designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid. For day-

long or multiday events at MSU, a corporate board might convene during the morning and afternoon in a conference room at Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, and then spend the evening entertained by a performance of “Hamilton” in the building’s 2,254-seat Cobb Great Hall. Or a corporate human resources department might hold a recruiting event in The 4th Floor, a meeting space for 800 that overlooks the Spartan Stadium.

Conference organizers, Buckenberger adds, shouldn’t forget the university’s chief asset: academic expertise. In some cases, scholarly reputation is precisely what draws conference participants.

For example, Michigan State was chosen as the meeting location for a recent conference of the National Association of Particle Accelerators because MSU is home to the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

In Marquette, university sporting events draw after-hours attention, and they’re not always your typical university sports.

“We have meeting attendees take advantage of figure skating, hockey, luge, skiing, ski jumping and curling,” says Susan Estler, executive director of Travel Marquette. “Community events are really important in Marquette, too,” she adds, citing Fresh Coast Film Festival, Blues Fest, Noquemanon Ski Marathon and UP 200 sled dog races. “Many of these events are tied to NMU, and the great thing is visitors can combine those activities with the attractions of an urban center: good food, craft beer and shopping.”

Melding Campus and City Amenities

Art festivals, microbreweries, outdoor activities and scores of interesting dining and retail shops … the amenities abound in college towns that are appealing to leisure and business visitors alike.

In Allendale, conference attendees can participate in an 18-hole scramble at The Meadows Golf Club on Grand Valley State University’s campus. In Ann Arbor, they

P H OTO S : L E I G H A N N CO B B P H OTO G R A P H Y; H O L L A N D CO N V E N T I O N & V I S I TO R S B U R E AU

Haworth Hotel

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GET CONNECTED Central Michigan University cmich.edu 989.774.4000 Destination Ann Arbor annarbor.org 734.995.7281 Hope College

can buy university apparel at The M Den or shop for books at Literati bookstore between meetings. The Traverse City Film Festival takes place annually near the Lake Michigan shore and Northwestern Michigan’s campus. And in downtown Big Rapids, guests can chat over beer and live music at Raven Brewing & BBQ, a hot spot blocks from Ferris State University and one that, thanks to its youthful student clientele, is likely to remain open well after a long day of meetings.

“Pitching the town of Holland as a destination is such an easy sell,” says Holland CVB’s Link, “and Hope College is a part of that. They are a part of the downtown to such a degree that people often don’t even know when they’ve stepped onto the campus and when they have left it.”

Holland’s downtown beautification efforts like lush flower beds, shade trees, patio dining and public art meld with campus enhancement projects. In winter, the downtown’s heated streets allow for snow- and ice-free shopping and dining.

In summer, visitors can enjoy the nearby spectacular golden beaches on the Lake Michigan shore.

In the Upper Peninsula (U.P.), college towns like Houghton, home to Michigan Technological University, and Marquette, home to Northern

Michigan University, can bank on the region’s numerous hiking, mountain biking and ski trails to draw university students and meetings alike.

National and state parks, campgrounds and waterways for fishing and paddling are immensely popular with visitors, too, and they often serve as an added incentive to those considering whether to attend conferences and corporate events.

“People expect to move easily from their hotel to a trail when they come to the U.P.,” says Travel Marquette’s Estler. “They can find that here in Marquette, at a conference on the Northern Michigan campus.”

The appeal is greater than ever this year, when ongoing concerns about COVID-19 may make attendees more willing to schedule a walking meeting on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail or along the Lake Superior shore than a face-to-face meeting indoors over coffee.

From small campuses to sprawling universities and from institutions surrounded by woods and water to those set in urban centers, Michigan’s college and university towns offer planners an array of attractive meeting options.

Add in a campus’s contagious college spirit, and these destinations earn a solid A.

Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau lansing.org 517.487.0077 Holland Convention & Visitors Bureau holland.org 616.394.0000 Hope College hope.edu 616.395.7222 Michigan State University MSU.edu 517.353.9300 Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau meetmtp.com 989.772.4433 Northern Michigan University nmu.edu 906.227.2623 Travel Marquette travelmarquette.com 800.544.4321 University of Michigan umich.edu 734.764.2000

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I ND U STRY U PDATE Infographic

Re-Imagining Meetings & Events for a New Era The industry has acquired the necessary perspective, technical skills and endurance to thoughtfully retool its approach. And there is optimism!

T

WO-THIRDS (67%) of meetings and events planning professionals believe in-person meeting levels will return to pre-pandemic numbers within one to two years. This is one of the key findings from the 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, produced by American Express Meetings & Events.

The 2022 forecast is based on a survey of 500 meetings and events professionals and interviews with top industry experts that took place from June to July 2021. Respondents represented corporations, associations, buyers and suppliers across 31 countries.

HIGH - LEVEL HIGHLIGHTS

In-person gatherings

RESEARCH COURTESY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS MEETINGS & EVENTS

Face-to-face meetings and events are projected to grow in 2022, with 81% of events expected to have an in-person element. However, the industry is neither expecting nor planning a return to business as usual, and instead professionals intend to take lessons learned during the pandemic to improve the value, effectiveness and sustainability of future events.

Virtual/hybrid options Despite the rise of in-person meetings and events, virtual and hybrid formats will continue to play a key role.

Hybrid meetings are expected to gain traction as they help expand reach to wider audiences, provide a built-in virtual contingency plan, and increase return on investment.

An increased number of attendees are expected across all event types and formats.

Quality of life Focus on the individual will continue well beyond the pandemic and is expected to transform the attendee experience at meetings and events. Organizations also are paying close attention to the environment and diversity, equity and inclusion. The sustainability practices most cited were minimizing paper use and applying energy-saving and waste reduction measures.

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F R E S H S TA R T FO R R E V ITA LI Z E D I N D U S T RY “As we look to 2022, we expect the optimism, resourcefulness and innovation we’ve seen in the sector over the past two years lead to a new era of thoughtful, tech-forward, responsible meeting and event strategies,” says Gerardo Tejado, general manager of American Express Meetings & Events.

19% Virtual only

Anchored by safety and flexibility

39% Hybrid

42%

In-person only

We’re going to see more of each other 81% of meetings in 2022 are expected to have a face-to-face component

We’re tackling digital fatigue with fun How do you keep virtual and in-person attendees engaged?

45% Entertainment, polls, activities and games

To get back to in-person gatherings, respondents say the two most important factors are:

The top 3 meeting types with the largest projected growth in 2022

1.

Internal team meeting/ training

58%

55%

Confidence in duty-of-care components for attendee health and safety

Supplier flexibility

2.

Sustainability matters more than ever

83

%

Small/simple meeting

3.

Comfort with technology is increasing Planners have increased their tech know-how

73

%

Client/ customer advisory board

31%

Food and beverage experience (delivered to virtual attendees)

31% Wellness activities

of organizations take sustainability into account when planning meetings and events

are very optimistic about their ability to use technology for enhancing the meeting experience in 2022 vs. 61% in 2021

Mobile App Usage More than three-quarters of respondents say their organizations currently use or plan to use mobile apps for meetings.

Yes No Don’t know

NORTH AMERICA 73% 19% 9%

EUROPE 63% 27% 11%

CENTRAL/ S. AMERICA 88% 10% 3%

ASIA PACIFIC 84% 14% 2%

amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/meetings-and-events

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

Monarch golf course at Garland Lodge & Golf Resort

Trends //

» GAYLORD GOLF MECCA, a collection of 17 golf courses and 21 lodging facilities in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, experienced a banner year in 2021. While the popularity of golf has surged across the country, Gaylord Golf Mecca has experienced exceptionally robust growth of 10.5 percent. People sought outdoor recreation during the pandemic, and they discovered the psychological benefits of an active game of golf, notes Executive Director Paul Beachnau, adding that The Mecca’s amenities and inclusivity have proved particularly appealing.

“If you are that new player or player coming back we have courses and service to fit you, and if you are that serious

player or just part of a big group that wants a great golf trip, we have offerings for that, too,” he says. “And we have this beautiful destination, a great downtown with many options for dining, lakes and hiking trails, all within a few minutes.”

The addition of more air travel to northern Michigan through Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City has made a significant difference in attracting golfers, especially during the summer when temperatures soar in warmer climes, adds JT Aude, Mecca’s chairperson and head professional at Gaylord Golf Club. For information on meeting venues in the area, visit gaylordmichigan.net/gaylord-the-meeting-place.

P H O T O : G AY L O R D G O L F M E C C A

GOLF ON THE UPSWING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

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P H O T O : G AY L O R D G O L F M E C C A

People News //

NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS AT MICHIGAN CVB GROUP Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus’ (MACVB) officers for 2022 have been announced. Heading the group as president is Trevor Tkach, president and CEO of Traverse City Tourism. “I am excited to serve as president of MACVB,” Tkach says. “The association represents dozens of destination organizations around the state, which deliver important economic development activities and tools to their communities. MACVB encourages best practices in sustainable, responsible tourism.”

He adds, “We will continue to help produce the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism, the major convening of the hospitality industry in our state, which will be in Traverse City this April. MACVB also plays a strong advocacy role for Michigan’s tourism industry. I look forward to the year ahead as we continue to advance the good work of our members.”

Joining Tkach in leadership roles at MACVB are Mary Robinson, vice president (Livingston County); Julie Pingston, secretary (Lansing); Amanda Wilkin, treasurer (Charlevoix); Janet Kron, past president (Grand Rapids); and Susan Estler (Marquette) and Bob Lukens (Muskegon), directors-at-large.

Becky Bixby is the new assistant general manager at Detroit’s convention center, Huntington Place.

She is certified in exhibition management, brings 29 years of event experience leading teams in customer service training and new technology implementations, and is

STATEWIDE TOURISM BOARD NAMES OFFICERS The Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) has named its 2022 officers. They include president Chad Wiebesick, Destination Ann Arbor; vice president Kim Corcoran, Meetings Michigan; treasurer Dan McCole, Ph.D., Michigan State University; secretary Holly Schonert, MLive Media Group; and directors-at-large Darren Ing of Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds, Jada Paisley of MI Golf Course Association, and Kristin Phillips of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Chad Wiebesick “It’s an immense honor to be elected as president of TICOM, a statewide association that has been serving as a unified voice for Michigan’s travel industry for over 30 years,” says Wiebesick. “And it’s a privilege to be a part of the most representative and diverse association whose dozens of members help contribute to Michigan’s $18 billion visitor economy. Now more than ever, TICOM’s advocacy, education and collaboration are vital to supporting Michigan’s travel industry and rebuilding our economy from the adverse impact of the pandemic.”

responsible for all day-to-day operational aspects of the venue, ensuring that all clients’ needs are understood and met. In addition, Bixby is taking the lead role in working toward Platinum LEED certification and managing all sustainability initiatives that cross over multiple departments. Previously, Bixby served as senior manager of client services for Informa Markets, a company that delivers large-scale exhibitions, virtual events, online marketplaces, specialist

content and data services to the global event industry.

“Becky brings a 360-degree perspective to her new role as AGM,” says Karen Totaro, general manager of Huntington Place. “She has worked in venues, she has been the general services contractor building the show, and she has been the actual show manager,” Totaro explains.

“We are lucky to have her joining the team to ensure we exceed the customer experience from every angle.”

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

Trends //

» SPORTS TOURISM was a big win for West Michigan last year. West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) generated over $55 million for the region in direct visitor spending through 100 sporting events. That’s more than a 300 percent increase from 2020 and a slight increase over 2019 revenue. According to tracking by WMSC, these 100 sporting events attracted 184,350 athletes and visitors and filled nearly 43,000 hotel room nights.

“Last year was an important rebuilding year for youth and amateur sporting events in West Michigan, as we rebooked canceled tournaments and added others to the roster,” says Mike Guswiler, president of WMSC. “As expected, we fared far better than in 2020 when most large gatherings were canceled or modified to eliminate spectators, but we also returned to pre-pandemic levels of sports tourism in many areas. This proves the resiliency of sports tourism and how it is one of the first sectors of tourism to return to prepandemic levels.”

In preparation for an even more robust sports tourism rebound this year, WMSC has boosted its staff, hiring Conner Hicks as national sales manager. Most recently, Hicks was a sales manager with Aimbridge Hospitality at Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Airport, where he managed all group sales initiatives. Along with this hire, Melissa Brink has been promoted to marketing manager. She first joined WMSC in 2015 as a marketing and event operations intern for Meijer State Games of Michigan. westmisports.com

Top: USA Gymnastics Rhythmic Gymnastics Level 9 Classic. Bottom: NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships

P H OTO S : W E S T M I C H I G A N S P O R T S CO M M I S S I O N ; J O R DA N M E N A R D

WEST MICHIGAN SCORES

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P H OTO S : W E S T M I C H I G A N S P O R T S CO M M I S S I O N ; J O R DA N M E N A R D

Hotels //

AHLA REPORT: HOTELS MOVING TOWARD RECOVERY The hotel industry will continue its path to recovery this year, but it won’t be without some speed bumps, and full recovery is still several years in the future. Those are the conclusions of the 2022 State of the Hotel Industry Report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

Here are some of the top findings of the report, which was conducted with analysis

by Oxford Economics.

» Hotel room revenues are projected to approach 2019 levels this year, reaching $168 billion. » Occupancy levels are expected to hit 63.4%, nearing the 66% rate achieved in 2019 and far above the 44% and 57.6% rates of 2020 and 2021. » The outlook for ancillary revenue, which includes food and beverage and meeting space, is less optimistic. Industry experts project that only a little over half of meetings and events will return in 2022. » Leisure travelers will continue to drive recovery. In 2019, business travelers made up 52.5% of industry room revenue, while in 2022 they are projected to represent just 43.6%

Open up to the possibilities

» While a full recovery in business travel isn’t expected until 2024, global business travel is projected to increase by 14% in 2022, with the U.S. and China seeing the largest upswing. Both are projected to grow by 20%.

We are thrilled to introduce Detroit’s new

» Changing traveler segments, including the rapid rise of bleisure travelers (those who blend business and leisure travel), are affecting how hotels operate. One study of global business travelers found 89% wanted to add a private holiday to their business trips in the next 12 months.

opening minds. A place to meet in a place that

convention center, Huntington Place. New name.

Same place. Same spectacular view. A place to connect, to see what’s next, for open air and Meet you in Detroit

TM

moves. We invite you to see the possibilities for yourself. HuntingtonPlaceDetroit.com

“Hotels have faced enormous challenges over the past two years, and we are still a long way from full recovery,” says Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “The uncertainty about the omicron variant suggests just how difficult it will be to predict travel readiness in 2022, adding to the challenges hotels are already facing.”

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S NAP S HOT S Visit Detroit Annual Partnership Meeting + Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism

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MotorCity Meet-Ups

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Detroit’s MotorCity Casino Hotel was the location for two lively industry gatherings. The Visit Detroit Annual Partnership Meeting convened at the venue in February, with a presentation

by President and CEO Claude Molinari and a keynote speech by Mel Tucker, Michigan State University’s head football coach. 1. After 26 years with Visit Detroit, Renee Monforton, vice president of marketing and communications, retired. 2. Lauren Sanders 3. Elaine Moulder, Jennifer Ollinger 4. Samuel Donald, Jennifer McDonnell 5. Claude Molinari, Mel Tucker 6. Austin Arksey, John Burgan 7. Janell Wade, Nicole Piach 8. Tina Jackson, Renee Monforton, Sonya Robinson 9. Brittany Artz, Yana Walker 10. Panel discussion on the Sound Board stage 11. Antoine Garibaldi 12. Stefanie Ross, Dana Zolynsky 13. Verlonda Thompson, Ashley Lulek, Melissa Morang, Billye Thompson

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Last November, the hotel hosted the 2021 Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The event featured two-and-a-half days of speakers, workshops and meetings for Michigan tourism industry leaders.

14. Dave Lorenz, Travel Michigan, and Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Association 15. Zoe Moore, Grow with Zomo 16. Adam Sacks, Tourism Economics 17. Annie Kelley, Linda Freybler, Dave Lorenz 18. Michael Dominguez, Associated Luxury Hotels International 19. An enthusiastic crowd in the Sound Board Theater 20. Nick Bykerk, CFO of GR Aseptic 21. Tori Emerson Barnes.

To have your meeting or event photos featured, contact slevitt@greenspring.com.

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P EOPLE PROFI L E Karen Totaro

» KAREN TOTARO KNOWS a few things about running a convention center. Over her 30-year career, she has held senior positions at Oregon Convention Center, Duke Energy Convention Center Cincinnati, Atlantic City Convention Center, and she was the chief operating officer at San Diego Convention Center from 2016 to 2020. Last year, Totaro moved to Detroit to become general manager of the newly renamed Huntington Place, the 16th largest convention center in the U.S. M+E: What led you to leave sunny San Diego to become GM of Huntington Place?

KT: I grew up in Chicago and always knew I would end up back in the Midwest. I just love old industrial cities and am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the continuing evolution in Detroit. The venue itself is huge, flexible, sustainable and offers breathtaking views of the Detroit River and Canada. There is a unique passion and sense of being part of something bigger here. Detroit has a special sense of community like no other.

M+E: Can you share a moment or two that has made you feel moving here was the right decision?

KT: Being part of reopening the venue when the governor gave the go-ahead back in July was a tremendous sense of accomplishment for our entire team. It made me excited for our future as our venue has a huge economic impact on this community.

It was a big goal to get the North American International Auto Show back in the venue and contracted for this year.

Finally, I would say there has been enormous satisfaction in ensuring we are giving back to the community. Watching thousands drive through the vaccination site in the Atwater Garage or watching our most vulnerable population being served hot meals at the Pope Francis location in the venue makes me so proud to be part of this team.

LONG LIVE GOOD TIMES

L

cape the world for a while and enjoy endless action and indulgence. Celebrate your winning

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ments. Taste the good life. Lounge around in plush accommodations. And do it all over again

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tomorrow. It’s all here at Michigan’s most exciting destination. It’s a New Day

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Convention Reinvention Karen Totaro returns to the Midwest to run Detroit’s Huntington Place. BY SHELLEY LEVITT

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KT: I would like all planners to know that Detroit and Huntington Place really have your back. Our team will go above and beyond to ensure your event is not only successful, but that you and your team feel that success as well. We do not force square pegs in round holes; we work with each client to find the magic combination of needs, price and service and then exceed those expectations. huntingtonplacedetroit.com

P H OTO : N I C K H AG E N

M+E: What would you like meeting planners to know about Huntington Place?

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LONG LIVE GOOD TIMES

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P H OTO : N I C K H AG E N

oments. Taste the good life. Lounge around in plush accommodations. And do it all over again

LONG LIVE GOOD TIMES

tomorrow. It’s all here at Michigan’s most exciting destination. It’s a New Day

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pleasure doing 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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