P H O T O S : I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y O L I V I A C U R T I ( O P P O S I T E ) A N S O N PAV L O V
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AIN’T NO PARTY LIKE A VR PARTY GLOBAL DMC PARTNERS IS TEAMING UP WITH BALTI VIRTUAL IN NEW AR/ VR OFFERING. BY K A SSIDY TA R A L A Global DMC Partners is bringing on Balti Virtual as one of its strategic alliances to provide a brand-new AR/ VR program for meeting and event planner clients. To launch this partnership, Global DMC Partners is debuting its new AR brand mascot, Global Girl or G.G. By downloading the free AppAR8 app from the iTunes app store or the Google Play store and scanning the Global DMC Partners logo, clients can take photos or video with G.G. and experience her repertoire of cultural dances. “The goal of this partnership is to offer something new—augmented and virtual reality event experiences—to our clients around the world,” says Erin Rougeux, Global DMC Partners director of marketing and database management. “Balti Virtual’s capabilities are almost limitless when it comes to creating a custom AR or VR experience—whether it’s a virtual invitation to the event or a live AR event experience that includes a fun photo op.” Global DMC Partners’ alliance with Balti Virtual will allow meeting professionals the opportunity to boost their next events with augmented reality invitations, reality photo ops, augmented 3D agendas, virtual augmented gifts and customized scavenger hunts. “The opportunities are truly endless, so we see VR and AR becoming more and more prominent at events and conferences over the years,” Rougeux says. globaldmcpartners.com
St. Clair Inn Reclaims Historical Fame RECENT RENOVATIONS OFFER PROMISING FUTURE FOR ONE OF MICHIGAN’S MOST ACCLAIMED TRAVEL DESTINATIONS. B Y D I N N E E N G R A F F
A proud symbol of southeast Michigan’s authentic charm, the St. Clair Inn plans to reopen its doors in 2020 following a multimillion-dollar renovation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, the renovation pays tribute to the hotel’s historic beginnings while breathing new life into its future as a hospitality icon. The ownership team plans to honor the values of the St. Clair community by preserving the building’s original historic structures. “The Inn set the bar for every hospitality establishment in the region. It drew business and tourism customers from the Metro Detroit region and worldwide,” says Bill Kauffman, project manager of Grindstone Strategies. “The current owners recognized the economic and social potential for the community and southeast Michigan region if the Inn’s former glory was restored.” The Inn will boast more than 34,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space, including a 3,880-square-foot ballroom overlooking the St. Clair River and Lake Ontario. Equipped with fully customizable, state-of-the-art technology, groups sized anywhere from 8-400 people are invited to take advantage of the variety of venue options for weddings, ceremonies and more. Seven on-site restaurants and lounges will accompany the new and improved event spaces, where guests will find locally sourced products, artfully crafted menus and signature cocktails.
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ST. CLAIR INN 765.551.9806 | stclairinn.com
MI.MEETINGSMAGS.COM
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