BEST OF 2020

PHOTOS: EMERALD CITY DESIGNS; GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA

Best Meeting/ Event Planning Company

EMERALD CITY DESIGNS

emeraldcitydesigns.com | 248.474.7077 Looking for a one-stop shop for all your event needs? Look no further. “Emerald City Designs, The Special Event Group, is an all-in-one convenient event group where our clients can find all of their event planning, floral, rental, design and stationery needs for all types of events,” says owner and founder David C. McKnight. “We do not have to work with separate vendors for each of these services as we offer everything here in-house. Our skilled and experienced planners take pride in developing your event from start to finish. Our event planning options pave the way for you to enjoy the process and your event day. Our day-of coordinating package is the perfect fit if you are looking for extra support on the event day to organize, manage and execute the plans that you have already arranged.”

Runners-up: Special D Events; Top That! Event

BEST RESORT/LODGE

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA

grandtraverseresort.com 231.534.6000

With four seasons of adventure and 86,500 square feet of event space, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa beckons you to leave behind the rigors of everyday life and experience the extraordinary outdoors. “Our 900-acre property is one of the Midwest’s finest year-round resorts featuring over 500 guest rooms, 54 holes of championship golf, a full-service spa, upscale dining and shopping, and incredible meeting and event space” says Caroline Rizzo, public relations manager. “We believe you can come to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and find everything you are looking for. From beautiful conference facilities to fine dining, entertainment, relaxation and fun, the resort is surrounded by northern Michigan’s true beauty and we are excited to share it with you.”

Runners-up: Crystal Mountain Resort; Grand Hotel Mackinac Island

BEST CONVENTION + VISITORS BUREAU

(More than 50,000 in Population)

DETROIT METRO CVB

visitdetroit.com | 313.202.1800

It’s all about the team. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has a talented and knowledgeable staff, including many members that have been with the CVB for decades. Their wisdom and expertise create opportunities to mentor new team members, help guide meeting planners through successful events and create positive experiences for visitors. Newer team members bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas.

Bureau leadership has also been a key to success, by building a strong foundation and creating a family-friendly atmosphere. Larry Alexander, DMCVB president and CEO explains, “Years of hospitality and customer service expertise, coupled with new ideas and fresh perspectives, helps the DMCVB staff work together to drive metro Detroit into the future to increase tourism and meetings. In cooperation with our hospitality partners, we are confident that Detroit will continue to transform as a vibrant destination.”

Runners-up: Experience Grand Rapids; Traverse City Tourism

Best Caterer

(On- or Off-site)

ZINGERMAN’S CATERING AND EVENTS

zingermanscatering.com | 734.663.3400

Great food is expected, but great service is a game-changer. Zingerman’s Catering and Events makes every occasion a memorable experience for its guests. “Everyone says that good customer service is important, but we’ve been training our staff specifically in great service since 1982. Great service is one of our bottom lines, along with great food and great finance” says Terra Brock, event manager. “We’ve written books about it, taught seminars on it, and been nominated for a James Beard Award for our service; we live and breathe it every day to every guest!”

Runners-up: Andiamo Catering & Events; Forte Belanger

Take note of these seven pros who are making their mark in the meetings and events industry.

Compiled by Mike Munzenrider

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

“I’m a connector and an advocate. My job is to bring the community together for the benefit of all of us—visitors, residents, students, businesses, etc. I spend my days advocating for our industry and telling the story of the influence that meetings, events and the visitor economy have on our quality of life in the Ann Arbor area, and getting others at the table to help grow our visitor economy. ... I’ve always had the honor of working for a community that is very engaged.”

ON HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “Without a doubt, meeting space is our biggest challenge. We have an incredible sales team that has learned to be exceptionally creative and innovative to book large conferences and events. Lack of a large conference facility constantly compels us to think outside the box. We make it work—we’ve had wine tastings at rural farmland event venues and receptions in art galleries, for example.”

ON HER FIRST JOB: “Like so many of my closest friends and collaborators, I started my career in hospitality, managing a restaurant in Ypsilanti called Haab’s. I loved every minute of it. I got to know our small community so well in that job—and my background in food and beverage has given me tremendous respect for the work done by our service-oriented hospitality community every day. I still go to Haab’s frequently!” ON ONE OF HER MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS: “I have the honor of attending tons of events throughout the Ann Arbor area, year-round. One that stands out is the 2014 NHL Winter Classic, when we helped to put ice down in Michigan Stadium (the biggest stadium in North America) for a record-breaking hockey game with over 105,000 people in attendance. The night before, we hosted a downtown party called ‘The Puck Drops Here.’ The whole thing was just surreal and so exciting! The Toronto Maple Leafs played in the game and having their fans here was really electrifying.”

Destination Ann Arbor; President & CEO

BEST MEETING PROFESSIONAL

UP-AND-COMING MEETING PROFESSIONAL

Event Operations Coordinator; Karmanos Cancer Institute ON WANTING TO WORK IN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY: “I knew in the eighth grade. … My parents didn’t exactly understand how that could be a career, but were supportive in helping me make it happen. ... We met with the dean at Grand Valley State University and my dad asked if event planning was something you could actually make a career out of. The dean asked my dad if he’d ever gone to a sporting event, a concert or conference for work, to which my dad replied, ‘Yes.’ The dean replied, ‘Well, someone had to plan those events.’”

ON THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL FOR THE INDUSTRY: “It seems simple, but kindness goes a long way. There are a lot of valuable skills that it takes to be a successful event planner like organization, attention to detail, being creative and adaptable, but if you’re not kind to your vendors, volunteers, etc., your job will be much more difficult.”

ON THE BEST ADVICE SHE’S EVER GOTTEN: “Everyone is in the hospitality field, whether they know it or not.”

ON HER FIRST JOB: “My current job was my first job after college. I’m originally from Rockford, Illinois, and as soon as I started at Grand Valley I fell in love with Michigan and knew that I wanted to continue working here after graduation. … I have gained so much experience and knowledge and I get to do it with an amazing team of coworkers who truly care and have passion for raising money to eradicate cancer.” Director of Event Operations; SME “I don’t see many things as a challenge but more of an opportunity to perhaps change. In some cases, it may require an immediate change. … When service providers perhaps don’t meet the mark and it may impact the success of an event, you have to make tough decisions, and in some cases change course immediately in order to provide your customers the best outcome.”

HOW SHE DESCRIBES HER JOB: “My role has many facets. I manage the department that basically owns every service for a trade show. Remember, in the events industry, that no man is an island. It takes a team to produce an event. I manage the contracting, tradeshow operations, registration and housing for all our tradeshows and meetings. We have over 12 trade shows in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.”

THE BEST ADVICE SHE HAS RECEIVED: ”Make a difference—do the best you can and try to make a difference in the outcome.”

ON HER MOST VALUABLE SKILL: “Relationship-building and customer service attributes are the two key skills that have gained me respect and support in this industry. Being a leader that is honest, consistent but flexible, and hardworking are certainly other traits that have allowed me to be successful in my role for SME.”

ON HER FUTURE ASPIRATIONS: “As a veteran in this industry and with a few years left, I hope I can continue to make a difference and add value. Teach and mentor those in the industry that are new. It’s really an easy industry to figure out—it’s called people.”

BEST MEETING/ EVENT VENUE

(No Accommodations)

THE HENRY FORD

thehenryford.org 313.982.6220 Covering 250 acres, The Henry Ford encourages guests to discover America—its culture, inventions, people and can-do spirit—offering hundreds of hands-on ways to explore it. If you are looking for a unique venue or attendee activity in the Detroit Metro area, you have several options on this vast campus: The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Benson Ford Research Center.

Whether you envision elegant or playful, inspirational or educational, The Henry Ford’s amazing venues offer extraordinary experiences. Joanne Peterka, head of event sales, says, “Galas, picnics, awards banquets, corporate celebrations, or the unveiling of the next big thing—our unique venues have it all, innovation, history, entertainment, world-class service and awardwinning cuisine.”

Runners-up: Detroit Athletic Club; Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

PHOTOS; THE HENRY FORD, JOHN F MARTIN

Best Convention + Visitors Bureau

(Less than 50,000 Population)

MACKINAC ISLAND TOURISM BUREAU

mackinacisland.org | 906.847.3783 Mackinac Island is a magical place, with its natural beauty and unique transportation by horse, foot and bicycle. Without automobiles, it’s like stepping back in time. Often called “The Jewel of the Great Lakes,” it’s waiting to be explored and the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau is ready to help you plan where to stay and what to do when you arrive.

“There are many reasons that Mackinac Island is considered one of The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020, according to Travel & Leisure,” explains Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. “Some of the island’s most historic properties have undergone updates, including Grand Hotel, Mission Point and Pine Cottage B&B. We have an exciting new property called Above Mackinac Condos located on Main Street. Also, Mackinac State Parks celebrates 125 years with special events planned all season long!”

Runners-up: Petoskey Area CVB; Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and CVB

Best Hotel with Meeting/ Event Space

(200 or More Guest Rooms)

AMWAY GRAND PLAZA HOTEL

amwaygrand.com | 616.774.2000 Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, beams with historic charm and modern comforts. Located in downtown Grand Rapids’ Hotel District along the Grand River, this 29-story glass tower has been a mainstay in the Michigan hospitality industry for nearly a century. With 664 guest rooms and 47,000 square feet of event space, it’s a meeting planner’s dream. Conference attendees and guests also enjoy skywalk access to Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place Convention Center. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is well-known for its attention to detail and supreme level of customer service. “I love working with clients in a combined effort to achieve the goals of the event and provide a level of service that is unprecedented in other cities” says Kelly Van Dyke, director of food and beverage events. “We love our clients and enjoy completing a conference knowing we have made a new friend and confidant.” Runners-up: Grand Hotel; The Dearborn Inn

BEST A/V PROVIDER

BLUEWATER

bluewatertech.com | 800.344.6575 A good A/V company can tell a story and bring an event to life, and that’s precisely what Bluewater does for its customers. “We work collaboratively with our client partners, often as an extension of their own team. This means we’re continuously looking for efficiencies, new ideas, and we treat each project as if it’s something we’re hiring out” says Scott Schoeneberger, managing partner. “We arm our clients with everything required to support sensory storytelling across physical and digital canvasses. This means a single source instead of multiple, easier communications throughout the duration of a program, and a broader set of capabilities—often very innovative.”

Brenna Sandstrom, a partner at Proper Planning, says, “I think it’s excellent to partner with a company like Bluewater. They took our advice, they heard our feedback and they brought that to life. We’ve been so impressed with the level of Bluewater’s service, all the way from point-of-sale to execution. Bluewater has done a really good job; it’s been a great partnership.”

Runners-up: AVL Creative; KLA Laboratories

BEST SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER

Director of Catering & Special Events; The Detroit Athletic Club “People have asked me what has kept me at the same place for 18 years. My answer is there’s never the same day. There are always opportunities to grow here ... In this industry I often hear individuals talk about life balance as a major challenge. I think if you work for a company that you believe in and they believe in you, you can often find the balance.”

ON HOW SHE DESCRIBES HER JOB: “I have the honor of not only creating and putting events together, but also helping guide my Catering & Special Events team every day to develop and create the most fantastic events for our members. This is a sizeable task, making sure we are programming and creating events that will capture the attention of our wide array of membership. We have around 2,000 catering events and over 200 special events for our members each year.”

ON THE BEST ADVICE SHE’S RECEIVED: “Make sure you are always listening, listening to your clients, your members and most especially your staff. Be open to any and all feedback—you don’t necessarily have to fully agree with everything, but you are doing yourself a disservice if you ignore or explain things away. You can gain tremendous insight just by listening and asking questions.”

ON HER FIRST JOB: “Hostess for Old Country Buffet. It was a great experience and made me realize that I really liked working with people in hospitality and interacting with guests.”

UP-AND-COMING SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER

Event Manager; Bedrock Detroit

“Soon after I got involved in this industry, I realized the things I enjoyed in my life outside of work were quite literally written into my job description. Every day I’m so lucky to get up and play around in such a creative and experiential environment.”

ON HOW SHE DESCRIBES HER JOB: “The flexibility in this career makes me think I have so many different titles. I can start the day as a venue manager, turn into a day-of coordinator, hop behind the bar to help guests and then turn into an adult babysitter. There isn’t a title that describes what I or anyone else in this industry does. We create magical memories for everyone under the sun.”

“I get a bit emotional when vendors lend a helping hand in something they have absolutely no reason to assist on. When I see a vendor jumping in to support a fellow industry partner on their setup, my heart feels so happy! At the end of the day, it isn’t one person’s event; every vendor plays a role in its success.”

ON THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF HER CAREER: “Is it cheesy to say the moment I found out I was recognized with this award? Seeing your hard work pay off and being recognized for a job well done is such a source of inspiration.”

BEST SUPPLIER

UP-AND-COMING SUPPLIER

Founder, Designer, Buyer, Client Manager; Modernly Events “I never pictured myself working in the events industry, particularly as a self-described introvert! However, I’ve always had an interest and affinity for design—interior, graphic, web—going as far back as middle school watching “Trading Spaces” on TLC. … I came back to design, and specifically event design, after I planned my wedding in 2012 and fell in love with the idea of transforming environments/ venues through furniture, lighting and large-scale installations.”

ON HER MOST VALUABLE SKILL: “Listening. I take in as much information as I can when I meet with potential and existing clients to really hear what their needs and wants are for their event, so that I can recommend the furniture and décor that will work best for them and come up with ways to create visual impact based on their budget.”

ON HER FIRST JOB: “Besides summer babysitting, my first ‘real’ job was a sales associate at The Gap. Beyond folding mountains of clothes, it taught me how to deal with customers, how to read a situation and react appropriately, and that no matter how long I worked there, I’d never get the hang of using the cash register.”

ON HER MOST MEMORABLE CAREER MOMENT: “My out-of-town clients hired me as their event designer for their October 2019 wedding and placed their full trust in me to develop and execute their design. … I’ll never forget the moment the first guests walked into the ceremony space and looked around in wonder. Or the moment when I showed the bride her reception space and she said it was beyond anything she had imagined. … It was so special.” Director of Sales; DeVos Place & Van Andel Arena “When I was growing up, I didn’t even know that this was an industry. People graduate now with a hospitality degree. At our house, people came over and you treated them like family. That, to me, is hospitality and that is what makes what we do so great. We are having people over to our home and opening the door like when I was younger. Did I know I wanted to do this? Maybe deep down I did. I did not find the job. Hospitality is something that is innate to each of us in the meetings/events industry. It finds us.”

ON HER MOST VALUABLE SKILL: “Flexibility is the greatest asset. You never know what the day will bring. You can plan everything out but if you are not flexible, well ... it just does not work. Anyone who has planned meetings will tell you that. Things come up and you need to problem-solve. Wait ... can I change my answer? Problem solving … or maybe it is a sense of humor.”

ON WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE MICHIGAN MEETINGS INDUSTRY DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES: “This is tough to say considering what we are currently going through with COVID-19. Nothing could prepare us for this. Every time something severe happens, we learn more. If I had to guess, there will be a dip in attendance once meetings in our state are able to resume. We will have a spike in virtual meetings for a bit. Then, once things get back on track, we will see more integrated meetings with technology. Face-to-face meetings will never go away, though. Body language, posture and the handshake can never be replaced.”

ON WHAT MIGHT BE SURPRISING ABOUT HER: “Those that truly know me are not surprised by anything anymore. Those that don’t ... hmmm … I was a teacher, I have done improv and stand-up and I have driven a Zamboni!”

Best Convention Center

TCF CENTER

tcfcenterdetroit.com | 313.877.8701 Safety, security, sustainability and service—Detroit’s TCF Center, formerly Cobo Center, hits on all cylinders. As a LEED Gold Certified facility, TCF Center is committed to implementing new and innovative green initiatives throughout the facility. It has programs designed to educate employees, vendors, customers, partners and visitors on the importance of the sustainability of the environment.

Safety and security are top-of-mind for every meeting planner. “TCF Center security is constantly working with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies to provide safe and peaceful opportunities for events and visitors in the venue,” says general manager Claude Molinari. “From the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol protecting our Canadian border, to the Detroit Police Department and every agency in between that contributes to surveillance and response, our venue’s event security is prepared to cover just about any conceivable eventuality.”

Runners-up: DeVos Place; Inn at St. John’s

BEST ENTERTAINMENT

(Performer or Talent Agency)

MIKE STAFF PRODUCTIONS

mikestaff.com | 248.689.0777 Mike Staff Productions is there to answer your call for your entertainment needs, including DJ services, photography, videography and lighting. Using cutting-edge technology, this experienced team is driven by an authentic desire to make people happy.

“The key word here is service,” says owner Mike Staff. “Nothing is more important to us than listening to our client’s wishes and delivering a remarkable experience. We offer ‘the team approach’ to our clients, in which they can get three crucial services at one company. This saves time, money and planning frustrations, while delivering an exceptional, integrated service experience.”

Runners-up: Star Trax Events; The Elysium Experience

BEST TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

METRO CARS

metrocars.com | 800.456.1701

Metro Cars puts the largest fleet of luxury vehicles in Michigan at your fingertips. The company takes pride in offering a variety of quality vehicles chauffeured by courteous professionals, who are dedicated to your every need. It provides many options for traveling to and from the airport, attending special events or driving across the state.

“Metro Cars is a transportation industry leader, focused on providing a safe, high-end solution in an otherwise uncertain market” says Paula Mikola, senior vice president, sales and marketing. “Did we mention our 30 years of experience? Our mobile app and web booking? How about our companies in Grand Rapids, Reno, Las Vegas and Sacramento? Stop taking chances with other companies and start taking Metro Cars!”

Runners-up: Indian Trails; Blue Lakes Charters

BEST CASINO

MGM GRAND DETROIT

mgmgranddetroit.com | 313.465.1777

As one of the top entertainment destinations in the city, MGM Grand Detroit has something for every attendee. “MGM Grand is the highest-rated resort in the state of Michigan. MGM Grand has maintained the AAA Four Diamond Award and the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award for its hotel, spa, and steakhouse, since its opening in the fall of 2007,” says Lisa Williams, executive director of sales. “Our urban resort offers unique amenities like Immerse Spa, Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse, TAP Sports Pub, Top Golf Swing Suite, and our newest feature, the BetMGM Sports Lounge. The location in the central business and entertainment district of downtown Detroit places MGM Grand Detroit in the center of the city’s most desirable attractions and activities.”

Runners-up: MotorCity Casino Hotel; Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel

Best Hotel with Meeting Event Space

(Less than 200 Guest Rooms)

THE INN AT ST. JOHN’S

theinnatstjohns.com |734.414.0600

The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth is one of the largest meeting and conference spaces in southeast Michigan, with 48,000 square feet, including four ballrooms, an executive boardroom and 17 additional meeting spaces. You might think that a facility of this size would be indifferent and predictable. In truth, The Inn at St. John’s is a truly unique historic property meticulously renovated to offer a combination of distinctive craftsmanship and modern amenities.

Whether guests are there for a conference, wedding, golf outing or an amazing dining experience at 5ive Steakhouse, they are treated to a truly uncommon level of customer attention. “At The Inn at St. John’s, service is our driving force and it touches everything we do,” says general manager Paul Wegert. “We take great pride in having earned the AAA Four Diamond distinction and we strive to make every guest who walks through our doors know how important they are to us. We want to welcome them as if they were entering our home.”

Runners-up: Park Place Hotel; Detroit Foundation Hotel

BEST EVENT RENTAL COMPANY

DISPLAY GROUP

displaygroup.com | 313.965.3344

Flexibility, collaboration, dedication and elite client service—these are some of the words that clients use to describe Display Group. As a multifaceted vendor in the meetings industry, it is ready to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

“At Display Group, what really sets us apart from other organizations is our four core services: design, furniture and décor rentals, audio-visual and custom fabrication. For our clients and partners, this means that we can offer a turnkey solution to give them a seamless experience before and during production” says Stephanie McClung, marketing coordinator. “For our team and employees, we’ve spent 30 years building an incredible team of event professionals, designers, artists and technicians with different perspectives and ideas. Two years ago, we formed a partnership with Fairway Productions and formed AVL Creative, bringing in audio, video and lighting professionals.”

Runners-up: Emerald City Designs; Art Craft Display

Best Team-Building Activity

TOPGOLF AUBURN HILLS

topgolf.com | 248.237.6609

No matter the occasion or who you share it with, Topgolf’s philosophy is that every great time starts with play, is fueled by food and drinks, is moved by music and all made possible through community. Topgolf Auburn Hills has been a welcome addition to the event scene in the Detroit Metro Area.

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy a meeting or event at this venue. In fact, many are not. “Topgolf is a fun, entertaining venue where people of all ages can enjoy themselves socially while participating in a fun activity,” says Bob Raymond, director of sales. “We go above and beyond to service our guests; 51 percent of our guests are actually nongolfers, which supports the legitimacy of our mission.”

Runners-up: Great Lakes Escape Room; Punch Bowl Social

BEST BREWERY/DISTILLERY/WINERY

ATWATER BREWERY

atwaterbeer.com 313.877.9205

Looking to plan an event at a hip venue with great beer? If so, you’re in luck—Atwater Brewery offers three locations all with unique event venues. Atwater Brewery and Tap House in Detroit offers a private room, dubbed the Game Room, available to host gatherings of up to 60 guests. The Brewery Room can also be reserved for larger parties of 150, and combined, you can buy out the venue for 200 guests.

“We are the brewery of Detroit and our beer is part of the culture of the city. Hardworking beer for hardworking people. We exemplify our slogan in our logo, ‘Born in Detroit and Raised Everywhere,’ by raising a pint of beer after a hard day’s work,” explains owner Mark Rieth. “Our brewing heritage dates back to the 1850s. We started with German-style lagers and now offer boutique ales that are fruit-forward and delicious.”

Atwater in the Park, Grosse Pointe Park, is in the former nondenominational Grace United Church, built in 1936. A private space, the Munich Room, is available to host groups of up to 40 guests. The Main Dining Hall seats 100 people and can be reserved for large events and the Biergarten Patio will accommodate 125. Atwater Grand Rapids, located in the heart of downtown, can host a variety of events as well.

Runners-up: Founders Brewing Company; Bell’s Brewery

BEST SPEAKER/ PRESENTER

(Individual or Agency)

MIMI BROWN

AmpUpSuccess.com 248.470.1276

Riveting. Magnetic. Hilarious. These are some of the adjectives used to describe leadership and influence expert and speaker Mimi Brown. “I am always so humbled when I see these words written on my speaker evaluations, because this is the vibe that I work hard to create during every one of my programs. Then I double check and make sure they are writing about me” laughs Mimi. “I am not your typical motivational speaker. Cheesy gimmicks stop here. But I am known for bringing it! Bringing the energy, enthusiasm, and entertainment.”

The CEO of Amp Up Success, Brown likes to get to know the groups she will be entertaining. “I interview attendees ahead of my talk to understand their challenges, concerns and frustrations, and I use this to personalize my message. I ask myself: How can I leave a lasting impression that will inspire them to act long after the final conference lip balm has been used? The goal is to know the audience so well that my words echo in their hearts and minds long after the event notepad is forgotten in their top desk drawer.”

Runners-up: Dave Serino, TwoSix Digital; Ryan Buck, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Best Florist

VIVIANO FLOWER SHOP

Viviano.com | 866.293.7436

“Every Viviano floral creation is carefully crafted according to the highest standards, so you can enjoy the most artful designs and happiest memories at your event” says Elizabeth Viviano, the shop’s marketing and product development assistant.

“Viviano Flower Shop is family-owned and operated since 1937,” she says. “Providing clients with beautiful fresh flowers, complemented by friendly accommodating service, has been a way of life for our family for more than 80 years. We treasure the heritage entrusted to us by our late founders and we want to share our love of flowers with every client. Every event is unique and special, and our team is dedicated to serving our clients well, from selecting farms that grow the best flowers to carefully crafted arrangements by our trained and skilled artisans.”

Runners-up: Emerald City Designs; Blumz by JRDesigns

Congratulations to the winners and Hall of Fame honorees.

As we wait to see what the rest of the year holds for the events industry, Michigan Meetings + Events will continue to tell the stories of the people and companies who make this industry so impactful, while looking forward to a time we can all meet in person again.