Michigan Meetings + Events Winter 2023

Bureau Detroit

Feature // Unconventional

BY WENSDY VON BUSKIRK

From theaters and farms to cultural institutions and gardens, Michigan offers unique settings for gatherings.

BY JULIE KENDRICK

Planners create fresher, more authentic meetings.

Take your next meeting from drab to fab with the help of these products, places, and inspiring ideas. 10 Trend Report

Branding is integrated with nearly everything in life— including events. 12 Destination

Petoskey boasts natural wonders, memorable cuisine, award-winning wines, and a world-class art scene. 18 Meet

+ Eat

Event planners are crafting menus that showcase flavors from around the world. 62

Industry Update

Discover the latest industry updates through our Meetings + Events infographic and Michigan news.

The Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus comes ashore on Mackinac Island.

People Profile

Terra Damchuk is the Thumbcoast’s true-blue ambassador. Special Section // 21 Casinos & Gaming Try your luck at these exciting gaming venues across the nation.

On the Cover Cross-country skiers enjoy the scenery at Offield Family Nature Preserve near Petoskey.

The Garden Pavilion at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

PHOTO COURTESY AARON PETERSON

SAVOR THE SEASON IN PETOSKEY

Special Section Gaming

Spanish Paella from MDRD

What Matters

» IN A DRAMATIC SCENE from “The Wizard of Oz,” the Munchkins guardedly emerge from hiding after a house lands on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East.

This past year was kind of like that for the people who work in Michigan’s meetings and events industry. It brought a slow and cautious move toward business as usual after two years of anything but. With 2023 looming like the Emerald City in the distance, we checked in with some industry professionals to get their take on where we have been and where we are going.

Larisa Draves, executive director of the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (MACVB), says she is thankful for optimism and innovation. “We are taking stock of what matters and the most valuable ways to spend our time. We are reengaged in travel and meetings, but we will do it in ways that make sense and not ‘the way we always did it.’”

Lyn Gleasure of Detroit’s Rocket Central appreciates the way the events community has come together. As for 2023, she feels momentum is on the industry’s side. “Everyone has jumped in to tackle tasks they have never had to in the past to help us all succeed,” she says.

Certified Meeting Planner Amy Young of Grand Rapids-based Destination Consultants was on a European river cruise earlier this year and couldn’t help but contrast that experience to March 2020 when she had to shut down her office. Whatever the future holds, she says, she’s in it for the long haul.

And if these professionals—and so many of their peers—are any indication, so is the industry.

KATHY GIBBONS Editor kgibbons@greenspring.com

PHOTO: JOHN ROBERT WILLIAMS

The Gift of Giving

It’s all things Michigan when it comes to gift baskets put together by Heart of Michigan in Howell, a business that creates baskets for individual and business clients and events year-round. “If you get people coming from out of state, or even people in Michigan, it’s nice to get something made in Michigan,” says Kelly Rendell, warehouse manager. “It makes people feel special.”

Items can also be assembled and presented in gift bags to save on cost, she notes. “We have had four conferences we have done where people will just get them

ART SHINES

IN

JACKSON AND MUSKEGON

» A BENEFIT OF ATTENDING an out-of-town event is experiencing a taste of what the local community has to offer. In Jackson and Muskegon, visitors will find public art front and center.

In its fourth year, a public art initiative in Muskegon has seen the installation of six out of 10 works of art called in for the project. They range from sculptures to murals, with the next addition, slated for fall 2023, being a 12-foot bronze sculpture that will pay tribute to the history of the Muskegon Heights Marching Band.

Project Director Judith Hayner says Muskegon already had about four dozen significant works of art in its downtown area before the current initiative, with some pieces dating to the 1800s.

“There’s been a tradition in Muskegon of valuing public art, but this project is helping people see all of it,” Hayner says. “The new pieces have allowed the old pieces to shine as well.”

Jackson’s volunteer-driven Bright Walls Mural Festival has hosted artists from around the globe and sparked creation of more than 70 murals in the city’s downtown district in the four consecutive years the event has been held. The murals completed this year included a four-story depiction of Alice Cooper, a chrome dog, and a 3D work by Greek artist Stathis Tsavalias.

“The goal has always been to drive arts and culture in our town and make art accessible for all,” says Clay McAndrews, the festival’s founder and co-director.

experiencejackson.com visitmuskegon.com

in gift bags. … We have done it before where we have stickers made up with the company’s logo and put that on the bag as well.”

This holiday season, the Michigan offerings include Germack nuts, Cherry Republic chocolate-covered cherries, Lucky Duck Mustard, Doodle’s Sugarbush jam, Williams’ cheese spread, Pop Daddy Popcorn, and multiple other options. Heart of Michigan offers baskets with preselected items or can tailor orders to customer preferences.

PHOTOS: CLAY MCANDREWS; HEART OF MICHIGAN; OPPOSITE: ADOBE STOCK / FUDIO

Mural by Joshua Santos Rivera

YOU ARE NEVER FAR FROM A PASTY SHOP IN MICHIGAN

» THE FOUNDER OF ONE OF THE Upper Peninsula’s oldest pasty shops used to share an apocryphal tale about the time an iron miner’s coat fell into the outhouse hole. She said it wasn’t the coat he was sorry to lose, it was the pasty in the pocket.

Whether or not that actually happened, it does underscore just how delectable pasties can be with their flaky crust and typical filling of beef, potatoes, onions, and rutabagas. Some add carrots, though to people like Ronald Duguay, who owns Ron’s Pasties in Howell, that’s sacrilege. “It’s just there for color,” he says.

As for the rutabagas? “You’ve got to have rutabagas, or it’s not a pasty,” Duguay says with confidence.

Rooted in the English tin mining region of Cornwall, the handheld pies were served as lunch for those working in Upper Peninsula mines. In fact, Duguay learned to make them from his grandmother, who was from Hancock.

While pasties were, at one time, primarily an Upper Peninsula delicacy, they are made and sold all around the state today. Wherever your travels may take you, there’s likely to be a pasty shop nearby.

At right is a sampling of spots to visit, from north to south. A few may operate seasonally or with reduced hours in the winter, so be sure to call ahead.

Roy’s

Lawry’s

The Best of Both Worlds

Battle Creek offers award-winning dining, a revitalized downtown, and the World’s Longest Breakfast Table.

BY BECKY KALAJIAN

Strategically located between Chicago and Detroit, Calhoun County is a destination for group gatherings, sporting events, and other activities for tourists. Offering the best of both worlds, the region provides a myriad of flexible indoor and outdoor options from a casino and a zoo with a rope and zipline course, to restaurants that showcase flavors from across the globe and breweries with one-of-a-kind pours.

Vibe: Variety is what distinguishes this southern, mid-Michigan region. “In Battle Creek, you can go from an urban brewpub to a softball multiplex to a country lake that’s great for ice fishing—all within 15 minutes,” says Annie Kelley, communication manager for the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau. Just east of Battle Creek, Marshall is known for its quaint downtown and Victorian-era architecture. Albion is home to a small liberal arts college that goes by the town name. And the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo rivers run through it all, linking parks, trails, and wildlife areas.

Transportation: Calhoun County sits in the crosshairs of Interstates 94 and 194, says Kelley. “While this was convenient for bootleggers in the ’20s, nowadays it’s an easy car trip for travelers from big cities,” says Kelley, whose bureau serves the Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion areas.

For those hoping to avoid several-hour stretches in the driver’s seat, trains at the Battle Creek Amtrak station connect to Chicago, Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Detroit, Pontiac, and Flint. Flights from Detroit and Chicago land at the nearby Kalamazoo/ Battle Creek International Airport.

Hotels: Calhoun County’s room count hovers around 2,500 small- to mid-size affordable rooms in properties that range from well-known chain hotels to bed-and-breakfasts. The newest will come in late 2023: the transformation of the McCamly Hotel into a 239-room DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Battle Creek. The 15-story, $55 million project will connect to the multipurpose Kellogg Arena via a modern annex.

Venues: Although the largest venue is Kellogg Arena , FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek is the place to “get your Vegas on,” says Kelley. The luxury hotel features 400 rooms and has a Four Diamond AAA rating. The Holiday Inn Battle Creek and the charming mid-century Goodrich Chapel at Albion College are suited to slightly smaller events. Planners might also want to check out the historic Bohm Theatre movie palace and the Record Box Loft

Restaurants: Albion Malleable Brewing Co.’s burger patties are made with brisket, sirloin, and chuck that’s ground in-house. For those seeking heat, Torti Taco Bar & Grill in downtown Battle Creek is known for award-winning tacos. In nearby Marshall, Cornwell’s Turkeyville serves up a traditional turkey dinner, potpies, turkey salad sandwiches, and turkey burgers. In the heart of Marshall, the iconic Schuler’s Restaurant and Pub has been famous for its prime rib for more than 100 years.

Must-sees and -dos: Every June in Battle Creek, headquarters of Kellogg’s, take a seat and enjoy a free bowl of cereal at the World’s Longest Breakfast Table in the city that created corn flakes. Take in Color the Creek year-round in Battle Creek, a walking tour that reveals more than 40 original murals. Accentuating the city’s abolitionist history, the largest monument dedicated to the Underground Railroad sits along the Battle Creek River. Outdoor enthusiasts will want to visit Historic Bridge Park , an open-air museum dedicated to the area’s transportation history. The Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in nearby Athens has more than 130 alligators. In Marshall, the American Museum of Magic showcases the treasures of Houdini.

battlecreekvisitors.org

PHOTOS: EMILY FREYBLER; ANNIE J. KELLEY

A 12-foot-high sculpture of 19th-century abolitionist Sojourner Truth stands in Battle Creek’s Monument Park. Bottom: Alligators are the attraction at Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens.

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

The Benefits of a ‘Brand Hug’

Event planners seek new ways to draw interest through innovative corporate messaging.

BY NATALIE COMPANGO

» BRANDING IS INTEGRATED into everything we do and use, at work and at home. It is part of our culture and our identity. “Brand adoption is how we identify ourselves to the people around us,” says Kristin Banta of Kristin Banta Events Inc. of Los Angeles. “We are in a brand culture. It’s the direct link between brand loyalty and consumers.”

How can event planners produce an event that authentically stands out and meets client expectations, while still being creative enough to make a splash with guests?

While the core guidelines of branding remain consistent, drastic shifts in the meetings industry have opened new doors. The pandemic brought forth exciting avenues for innovation. Virtual events became a safe way to connect across time zones. Now, with in-person events coming back, the opportunities are endless.

Event branding should feel intimate and personalized, whether it is for 12 people at a wine tasting or thousands at a convention center. “Branding is not a logo, it’s an experience,” notes Krissi Thomas of CIAO! Marketing+Strategy+Design of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When experiences are in line with a company’s mission and style, attendees go home with its messaging top of mind. Events should complement the brand by aligning with its aesthetic and ideology. For example, a luxury jewelry company

should be strategic with each detail, down to the linens on the table, to ensure the experience replicates the decadence they sell.

Branding is at the core of live events, and Justin Zebell, president and CEO of Streamline Event Agency and JoinIn, both in Tennessee, sees experiential elements as the trend that is driving this approach. He advises planners to use a consistent theme, saying “a memorable meeting is consistency and repetition.” He recommends guiding attendees with corporate messaging throughout the experience, keeping guests engaged with interactive experiences.

Having worked with musicians on tour, Zebell came to understand that artists perform their brand nightly, therefore, fans go home feeling as though they are part of the show. “Events are journeys,” Zebell says. “It’s not about a logo slap, it’s about how attendees feel. We give the consumer a brand hug instead.”

Pivoting from in-person experiential branding, Thomas enthuses about the benefits of the virtual events. “Virtual events become visual advertising,” she explains. “Virtual events aren’t ephemeral, they are recorded, so they have longevity and viral afterlives.”

In the tech industry, the advantages of virtual branding are immense. Online events can reach a larger audience across

Company branding is showcased on handcrafted wood decor.

Above: Logos jazz up the front of a DJ booth.

multiple time zones. Streamed events are more cost-effective as companies can brand channels seamlessly using the same images and logos for social media, emails, blogs, videos, and chat forums. Due to their fixed budgets, these events become annual tent posts for the company.

Thomas described an event for a new app client who wanted to embody their ethereal, dreamy experience. They achieved it through color, music, and light for onsite and virtual attendees. She points out, “Branding matters, because it evokes an emotion that propels people to action.”

In the film, entertainment, and fashion industries, brands make a big entrance to cinematic levels. For Banta, it means making memorable events while keeping her logo-adoring customers happy. “My clients want logos to have presence,” she says. “Being bold and cheeky, brand identity presented with a wink often gets the most notice. I make sure brand incorporation fits the marketing objective, of course.”

Banta thinks outside the norm by turning branding into art and art into branding. Her event company has stamped logos on ice cubes clinking in cocktails, marshmallows in desserts, and vintage telephones as table seating cards. She also looks for opportunities to incorporate reused and recycled objects into decorations. One stunner was to spraypaint quotes from a film onto vintage tapestries adorning the walls.

The president of New York City’s American Guest, John Williams, recognizes that every nuance reflects the product, starting with invites and extending to the location. “The location has to complement the brand, it is the experience,” he explains. For one event, he rented the Frank Gehry-designed Keep Memory Alive Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each time the space is rented, money goes to a local health clinic—aligning with his client’s mission of giving back.

Personalizing by spotlighting the individual is also common. Some ways to do

this thoughtfully are through handwritten notes, allowing guests to choose their gifts, wine bottles with personalized labels, and take-home meals with branded ingredients. The pandemic encouraged corporate gifts to be sent directly to homes, and consumables became the desired instrument for companies.

However, branded gifts should have meaning. “Know your audience—less can be more. One quality item makes a bigger impact than more stuff, which might end up in the trash,” Zebell says. An innovative example could be a party for a radio station gifting portable speakers to encourage people to tune in later.

From the first event announcement to the experience itself, guests should be subtly immersed in the brand, while still feeling like it was customized just for them. This is how branding becomes part of consumers’ culture and creates a lasting event afterglow.

ESPN’s Victoria Arlen celebrates the launch of her collaboration with Jockey. Below: Logos serve as adornments for a woodsy backdrop.

A Stone’s Throw

Beyond its namesake fossil, Petoskey offers an array of immersive attractions.

BY BECKY KALAJIAN

» VISITORS TO THE PETOSKEY AREA leave no stone unturned. And it’s not just the fossilized coral known as the Petoskey stone that is only found in Michigan—the official state stone—that they come for.

Established in 1879 and named after Ottawa Chief PetO-Sega, Petoskey is a trove of natural wonders—dunes, vineyards, forests, and miles of sunset water views. The activity-packed area—which also includes the charming Harbor Springs, the Bay View Association with its collection of historic homes and cottages, and laid-back Boyne City—attracts repeat visitors, says Jim Powell, executive director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.

“Once people visit, they fall in love with all those things, and it brings them back [for repeat visits],” Powell says, whose organization serves a 30-mile corridor tucked around U.S. Route 131 along the shores of Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan.

Petoskey’s beachy, outdoorsy vibe is complemented by its cuisine, award-winning wine region, and world-class arts scene, he says.

“All of these things offer a perfect setting to host a destination meeting or small to medium conference,” he notes. “It really is a winning combination for a mix of business and leisure.”

Cross-country skiers enjoy trails at the Offield Family Nature Preserve in Harbor Springs. Above: Searching for the Petoskey stone is a popular pastime.

PICTURESQUE DESTINATION

The region’s location at the junction of U.S. Routes 31 and 131 make for picturesque traveling for motoring visitors, who are treated to rolling farmland, state forests, and water views as they approach the area.

For air travelers, Delta flies daily out of nearby Pellston Regional Airport to and from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Once there, at least 28 properties offer more than 2,300 rooms— an array of getaways that include everything from small, historic inns to the major resort properties of Boyne Mountain Resort (which offers 428 guest rooms and 37,000 square feet of meeting space—the largest of which accommodates up to 1,000 people theater-style), The Highlands at Harbor Springs (313 guest rooms and 31,000 square feet of meeting space), the Odawa Hotel and Casino (137 guest rooms and eight meeting rooms), and the Marriott Autograph Collection’s Inn at Bay Harbor (145 guest rooms and 11,000 square feet of meeting space).

“There is a mix of chain hotels and of course the bigger resorts, but we also like to steer our visitors to Stafford’s three iconic properties: Bay View, Perry Hotel, and Crooked River Lodge,” he says.

As for the most interesting place to stay, Powell says it’s a toss-up.

people watching the sun go down,” says Kevin Moore, longtime store manager at Boyne Country Sports in Petoskey. “You can’t go wrong with that.”

Before the sun sets, the best activity for beachcombers is to hunt for Petoskey stones along the Lake Michigan shoreline. For other outdoor fun, visitors can rent bikes to ride the various paths like the Little Traverse Wheelway, a 26-mile route that runs from Charlevoix through Petoskey to Harbor Springs.

–KEVIN MOORE, BOYNE COUNTRY SPORTS

A brand-new attraction is SkyBridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain, the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge at 1,203 feet long and 118 feet high. To reach it, visitors ride the chairlift—a popular way to see fall color.

“It’s awesome, you get to the top of the ski hill, and you have great visibility in all directions,” Moore says.

But that’s not the only way to see autumn’s majesty at its best. The famous Tunnel of Trees is a 23-mile-long byway on Michigan Highway 119 along the Lake Michigan coast with a special treat at the finish, the Legs Inn. The hallowed Polish restaurant in Cross Village features authentic oldcountry food in an eclectic, handcrafted setting and is typically open June through October.

“Boyne Mountain and The Highlands are unique properties with a full resort experience that can host larger groups looking for golf, skiing, hiking, and biking,” he says. “But you must also consider the historic nature of The Terrace Inn in Bay View or the 120-year-old Stafford’s Perry Hotel, the only hotel downtown.”

For planners in need of a spacious venue for speakers, concerts, and presentations, Powell recommends Bay Harbor’s Great Lakes Center for the Arts, which offers a 525 seat state-of-the-art theater with a 45-foot cinema screen and Dolby theatrical surround sound, a 4,000-square-foot conference room, rooftop terrace, and more.

NATURE CALLS

The most remarkable feature of the region is its access to a freshwater sea, and the surrounding forests, dunes, and hills to hike up for stunning views.

“The lake is gorgeous; the sunsets are so fantastic that it’s not unusual for the Sunset Park [in Petoskey] parking lot to be full of

Though summer activities here pack a punch, winter can bring the heat with options for cross-country skiing at the Offield Family Nature Preserve in Harbor Springs and downhill or cross-country skiing at Nubs Nob, Boyne Mountain, and Boyne Highlands.

Powell also recommends Avalanche Mountain Preserve for the outstanding views. The city-run facility is home to more than 300 acres—a true haven for bikers, hikers, disc golf players, and daring sledders. To get to a scenic overlook, visitors climb the 462 steep steps.

“It’s hard to match the views of Lake Charlevoix and the surrounding region from there,” Moore says. Walking, biking, skiing, fishing, and birdwatching are popular in the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, which overlooks views of kayakers dropping into the Lower Peninsula’s first whitewater park.

“It’s cool—very unique,” he says. “We send a lot of people there while they are riding bikes because it’s unbelievable that you are in the middle of a city, and it’s so wild looking.”

“It’s hard to match the views of Lake Charlevoix and the surrounding region from there …”

Sixteen golf courses are within an easy drive from the Petoskey area.

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Booking Window: Book by December 31st, 2022

Event Dates: Consume between January 1st to June 30th, 2023

WINING DOWN

Northern Michigan’s exploding wine scene extends into the Petoskey area, with an impressive 14 wineries throughout what is known as the Petoskey Wine Region.

The unique draw of this region is its geography, which is more inland than other wine regions, according to Emily Dockery, executive director of the Michigan Wine Collaborative.

“The grapes here are more cold-hardy, which is huge for the industry as a whole because [the 14 wineries] are creating something new,” she says. “It’s a new image for Michigan wine—a new extension.”

In fact, the prospect of the opportunity to tour the Petoskey Wine Region is “exciting for a lot of people,” says Dockery. “These places are creating traditions for Michigan wine drinkers, fostering an emotional connection to the wineries that keep people coming back.”

ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

Serving as the region’s cultural epicenter for fine arts and events, the Crooked Tree Arts Center provides visitors with the opportunity to go beyond nature. Guests can enjoy performances by the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra; shows, plays, workshops, and concerts at the Crooked Tree Arts Center; summer concerts at the Bay View Association’s lakeside venue; and the popular annual Blissfest Music Festival in Harbor Springs.

“It’s special because it’s locally presented culture,” says Megan DeWindt, president of Crooked Tree Arts Center.

Petoskey’s arts scene is also rife with galleries and exhibits. And Crooked Tree’s own historic downtown gallery hosts not only exhibits, but also offers meeting space for planners looking for something special.

Venues at a Glance

Bay Harbor’s Great Lakes Center for the Arts 1,045 seats

40,000 square feet of space

Boyne Mountain Resort 428 guest rooms 37,000 square feet of space

Crooked Tree Arts Center 7,000 square feet of space

The Highlands at Harbor Springs 313 guest rooms 31,0000 square feet of space

Marriott Autograph Collection’s Inn at Bay Harbor 145 guest rooms 11,000 square feet of space

Odawa Hotel and Casino 137 guest rooms

Over 19,000 square feet of space

Diners enjoy outdoor ambiance at Cafe Santé in downtown Boyne City.

PHOTO:

“As far as coming here for a meeting, between the galleries, exhibits, and per forming arts scene, there is something for everyone—and certainly, space for everyone,” she says.

DINING ROOM

Dining options are plentiful, too, Powell says. High-end diners may enjoy a trip to Chandler’s, known for its chic European vibe and expansive wine list. For more casual dining, Powell suggests Petoskey Brewing Co. or Beards Brewery. Both fea ture local beer and traditional bar food.

The newest restaurant in the region, NOMAD in Bay Harbor, serves up modern fare with flavors inspired by regions from around the globe.

City Park Grill is housed in a late 19thcentury building where Ernest Heming way once played billiards. It’s recognized by the Michigan Hemingway Society as a “Hemingway Haunt.”

Another defining feature of the area are its restaurants’ connections to local farms, which supply much of the seasonal fresh produce and meat.

Whether dining, shopping, enjoying the outdoors, or taking in a show, Patrick Faylor, a partner with Wine Guys Restaurant Group (which includes Palette Bistro, City Park Grill, Wine Guys Catering, and Roast and Toast), says there is one common denominator.

“People come back because of how quaint everything is,” Faylor says. “You can access the waterfront and the picnic areas; the water views everywhere draw people in to watch the sunset and to enjoy the long bright nights in the summer.”

As a business owner, Faylor says he never tires of his guests’ reaction to their surroundings, especially if they are new to the area.

“First timers are like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at this lake,’” he says. “People love the whole thing.”

petoskeyarea.com

A World of Food

BY KATHY GIBBONS

The American palate is changing. Not only are we embracing foods from different parts of the world, many of the ingredients that go into those cuisines are becoming mainstream—and that’s increasingly the case for chefs who prepare menus in the meetings and events industry. Peek into their pantries and you’re likely to see a supply of spices such as zaatar, harissa, curry, chili peppers, galangal, and duqqa.

Rob Trufant, executive chef at the Michigan State University (MSU) Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, describes it this way: “We’re not going so far as to make dishes unrecognizable to people. We try to meet in the middle—offer things that are still familiar, but with different flavor profiles.”

For clients who are flexible and open to new ideas, Trufant is happy to “go out on a limb and offer them things that maybe aren’t as common in the American palate— especially the Midwestern palate—especially the mid-Michigan Midwestern palate.”

Kellogg often hosts conferences where clients want to showcase foods in new ways. When the American Lamb Board convened there recently, Trufant and his staff offered lamb with a variety of flavor profiles. “We had some African dishes, some Middle Eastern dishes, some regional American flavors,” Trufant says. “That was part of the point—they wanted us to showcase different kinds of ways that lamb can be used that maybe aren’t as familiar to processors here.”

Similarly, when MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources hosts events, they also strive to showcase products in different ways. For example, a bean conference included dishes that demonstrated how beans are prepared globally, Trufant says, adding, “There are all sorts of unique requests.”

Those planning weddings and other social occasions tend to be more open to trying new dishes as well. “We’re seeing a lot more—I wouldn’t want to say requests, but openness to Middle Eastern and African cuisine,” says Trufant, who finds infusing global ingredients and dishes into menus exciting. Experimenting with Mediterranean flavors at a recent event, he says his repertoire has expanded so much that many of the spices called for by various global dishes are already on his pantry shelf—it’s just a matter of using and blending them in different ways.

“Some of the most common feedback is that it’s something our guests never experienced before, so it’s nice to do something memorable,” says Zeinab Mrou, operations manager of the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center.

Michiganders cultivate a taste for global flavors and dishes.

The MDRD dish Pulpo la Gallega features octopus.

WORLDWIDE INSPIRATION

Liz Della Croce of Grand Rapids, founder and CEO of The Lemon Bowl healt hy food, travel, and lifestyle blog, attends and plans events every year and says global inspiration is more prevalent now.

“Whether it’s a charity fundraiser with local chefs, a national food blogger retreat, or an international press trip, I’m seeing a huge trend toward showcasing dishes that tie into the history and culture of the chefs preparing the meal,” she says.

At Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Executive Chef John Clements says Tex-Mex, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes are standard on various banquet packages. Beyond that, he’s offered classes for groups that enable participants to build their own ramen bowls. “A corporate group will come in for lunch, and we will do a little presentation and then set up an area where they can go and build their own noodle bowl,” he says. “Sometimes it’s their first time [having a noodle bowl], and they will say ‘Wow, we have never seen how easy this is.’ Because that is the fear for some people, that it’s just a lot of work.”

He has also offered sushi rolling and stir-fry classes, which usually come about when a client asks for a project attendees can do together. “They want to do a group lunch, but don’t want

Above: Hickory-smoked Gochujang Muscovy duck breast from Forte Belanger caterers;

Below: Tuna Nicoise Tagine from Huntington Place

to do the same boring thing,” Clements says. “That’s when I would do something like that.” It helps that his staff originates from all over the world, he adds.

In fact, a vegetable curry was added to Mission Point’s Bistro on the Greens restaurant menu. Earlier in the spring, a Bengali dessert called rasmalai was offered, with an intern from Bangladesh showing the rest of the staff how to make it. “We notice we’re having up here on Mackinac Island a pretty diverse crowd … a lot more people from India and Pakistan walking through,” Clements says.

ENGAGING OVER FOOD

At the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Chef de Cuisine of the Spanish-themed AAA Four-Diamond MDRD restaurant Stephan VanHeulen says that event and meeting planners are seeking more engaging and memorable events.

“We incorporate globally influenced action stations and themed menus to create those memorable and photographable ‘wow’ moments for guests,” he says.

VanHeulen says that Spanish, Mexican, Indian, and Moroccan cuisines are gaining popularity in the meetings and events space. He is especially partial to serving a variety of Spanish tapas for large groups. “Guests get to enjoy a variety of small plates and experience more flavors during their dining experience,” he says. “This creates more of a strolling dinner and social event; our guests are really enjoying this format and are booking repeat events.”

There’s no risk to introducing globally influenced and culturally authentic dishes if you include other options for those with different preferences, he notes.

“You have to be creative enough to uniquely tailor the menu to accommodate most dietary and allergen needs for a large group without sacrificing the experience for others,” he says.

EXPANDING THE COMFORT ZONE

Stephan Blaser, Sodexo Live! executive chef at the Huntington Place convention center in Detroit, started his career 43 years ago in Switzerland. He credits the public’s overall interest in travel and willingness to try new restaurants with authentic local cuisine for helping to broaden what he and others can offer groups.

Huntington Place is in an area that is surrounded by many growing industries that attract people from all over the world. “Because of that, we can focus our cuisine on local ingredients that also reflect various international influences from the cultures you can find here in town,” he says.

The list of dishes he has served illustrating his point is long. When a client requested a menu that reflected four countries for a 6,000-person event, Blaser and his staff served up items that included Egyptian Spinach Pie, a Brazilian chicken dish called coxinha, Swedish mini donuts known as klenat, Japanese small plates, and a ramen bowl.

Colin John, director of culinary and executive chef for Troy-based full-service caterer Forte Belanger, says caterers have an opportunity to offer foods that guests may not typically order in a restaurant or make at home.

“I’m thrilled when we offer an array of menu items exploring different ingredients and cultures,” he says. “The goal is [to] nudge the guests out of their food comfort zone and into an experience of fantastic flavors they may have never tried otherwise.”

amwaygrand.com fortebelanger.com huntingtonplacedetroit.com kelloggcenter.com thelemonbowl.com missionpoint.com

A private dining space at MDRD; Above: The Kellogg Center culinary staff can showcase a range of global flavors on their menus.

PHOTOS: HARLEY COOK; AHC HOSPITALITY

2023

Casinos & Gaming

Across the United States, casinos furnish planners with one-stop shopping for their meeting and event needs.

PHOTO: ADOBE / STUDIO ROMANTIC

Casinos Do It All

By Todd R. Berger

At the beginning of 1978, casinos could only be found in Nevada—no other state had legal gaming. On May 26, 1978, Resorts Casino Hotel opened in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a year and a half after the state’s voters approved a referendum legalizing gambling in the city to bolster the economy in the area.

A year later, the Seminole Tribe opened the first Native American-owned casino in the United States, the Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida. Initially a bingo hall, it soon expanded to include gaming machines and poker. During the 1980s, as Native American casinos spread, several state governments pursued court cases to try to shut them down. The tribes argued in court that their status as sovereign nations (per an 1831 U.S. Supreme Court decision classifying Native American tribes as “domestic dependent” nations) made them exempt from state laws against gambling. Finally, in

1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians (480 U.S. 202 [1987]) that gambling on tribal lands did not fall under the legal jurisdiction of the states. The next year, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which allowed tribes to open casinos on tribal land in states that already permitted legalized gambling. By 1996, 25 states had legal casinos.

Around the same time period, the Mirage opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1989. This ground-breaking casino resort was the largest hotel in the world when it opened, commencing the era of casinos making money through nongambling activities, including, at The Mirage, shows featuring white tigers and the magic of Siegfried & Roy, a volcano, and an aquarium. The idea was to make customers feel like they already struck it rich with a Polynesian theme, ostentatious opulence, and free food. Built by Steve Wynn and today owned by Hard Rock International, the Mirage fundamentally changed the Las Vegas Strip.

Within a few years, more spectacular, themed resorts appeared up and down the Strip and nearby, including Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, and Paris Las Vegas, both owned by Caesars Entertainment.

The latest style of casino resorts, the rise of Native American gaming, and the spread of gambling across the country ushered in a new era of casinos that provided the perfect setting for gatherings and conventions of all varieties.

Today, 44 states (all except Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Utah) have casino gaming resorts that cater to meetings and events. Almost anywhere in the United States you wish to meet, there is likely a casino resort that can fulfill—and exceed—all your event needs.

Agua Caliente Casinos

Cathedral City, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage, California

Founded: 2001 (Rancho Mirage), 2003 (Palm Springs), and 2020 (Cathedral City)

Size: 23,500 Capacity: 1,000 aguacalientecasinos.com

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Founded: 2003 Size: 49,000 square feet Capacity: 3,500 borgata.mgmresorts.com

Caesars Entertainment

Founded: 1937 Caesars Entertainment has more than 60 casino resorts in 17 states and 2 million square feet of meeting space across its destinations. Event spaces include the new CAESARS FORUM on the Las Vegas Strip, which has the two largest pillarless ballrooms in the world. caesars.com

Spotlight on Casino Resorts

ilani Ridge eld, Washington

Founded: 2017

Size: 30,000 square feet Capacity: 2,500 ilaniresort.com

e Mirage

Las Vegas, Nevada

Founded: 1989 Size: 90,000 square feet Capacity: 8,650

Monarch Casino Resort Spa

Black Hawk, Colorado

Founded: 1997 Size: 5,000 square feet Capacity: 250 monarchblackhawk.com

MotorCity Casino Hotel

Detroit, Michigan

Founded: 1999 Size: 67,500 square feet Capacity: 10,000 motorcitycasino.com

Pechanga Resort Casino Temecula, California

Founded: 2002 Size: 274,500 square feet Capacity: 7,000 pechanga.com

Quechan Casino Resort Winterhaven, California

Founded: 1996 Size: 20,000 square feet Capacity: 2,300 playqcr.com

Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City, New Jersey

Founded: 1978 Size: 64,000 square feet Capacity: 1,350 resortsac.com

Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood Hollywood, Florida

Founded: 1979 Size: 120,000 square feet Capacity: 5,000 seminolehardrockhollywood.com

Sky Ute Casino Resort Ignacio, Colorado

Founded: 2008

Size: 19,000 Capacity: 2,000 skyutecasino.com

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Founded: 1998 Size: 70,000 square feet Capacity: 13,000 soaringeaglecasino.com

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort Fort McDowell, Arizona

Founded: 2006 Size: 25,000 square feet Capacity: 2,000 wekopacasinoresort.com

Wildhorse Resort & Casino Pendleton, Oregon

Founded: 1995

Size: 11,000 square feet Capacity: 1,000 wildhorseresort.com

MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL MONARCH CASINO RESORT SPA

PECHANGA RESORT CASINO

The Cash Cow

From slot machines and blackjack tables to horse races and bingo, there are a variety of ways to gamble. As a means of entertainment for some, casinos are an unconventional-yet-effective way to generate immense revenue, some of which is funneled back into society.

Of course, the success of a casino depends on gamblers’ confidence in their luck and their willingness to wager. Apparently, people are indeed increasingly confident in their abilities as, according to the American Gaming Association, gambling revenue has risen 21% since 2019, reaching a lofty record of $53 billion in 2022. Nearly $30 billion of that revenue came from 460 tribal casinos across 28 states. With so much money funneling into casinos, taxes on casino revenue are a primary financial resource supporting state and local programs.

By Ava Diaz

Gaming wasn’t always a catalyst for societal advancement. Following the 1929 stock market crash and the construction of Hoover Dam beginning in 1931, Nevada’s economy was in dire need of economic stimulation. Operating as a small railroad town, Las Vegas was soon gaining traction from the infiltration of construction workers moving to Boulder City, 25 miles down the road, to build the dam. Gambling trips to Las Vegas became routine for workers. With

MGM Resorts International’s New York-New York Hotel & Casino under construction in 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada PHOTOS:

increased popularity and a sudden cash flow, Nevada’s government legalized gambling in 1931 to quickly generate funding to restabilize the state’s finances. Gambling was much later legalized in select states across the country.

To regulate the gambling cash flow, state and federal governments intervened in both commercial and tribal gaming. For tribal gaming, the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Gaming

Regulatory Act of 1988 to create a legal basis for the operation of casinos (in states that allowed gaming within their borders). The tax revenue from these establishments helped fuel steady employment, provide consistent cash flow for reservations, and create lively regional attractions. Some tribes with state compacts pay fees based on their revenue to state and local governments. As for commercial casinos, many states

implemented taxes based on gross revenue (after winner payouts) to maximize casino money rerouted into state coffers.

To combat a negative backlash over states’ revenue from gambling, 23 out of the 24 commercial gambling states designate a portion of their casino tax revenue to fund research and treatment for gambling addiction, according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in Washington, D.C. Many commercial gaming states also use some of their tax revenue to fund public programs and services, including education, economic development, infrastructure, and the fine arts (anywhere from 20% to 90% of state funding goes toward state art agencies in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and West Virginia).

For tribes with state compacts, the breakdown of contributions awarded to the state varies based on need. The State of Arizona, for example, allocates 88% of its tribal gaming revenue to infrastructure improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, wildlife conservation, and tourism. The remaining 12% is distributed to community service and public safety programs in cities and counties of the tribes’ choosing. Though the allocation of funds varies from state to state, the influx of money that filters through casinos provides states with a constant stream of revenue.

At casinos, there is fun to be had by all. Gambling, to some extent, can benefit individuals as a means of entertainment and the potential for winnings. Coming full circle, the money spent can work its way back into their lives through improved services and renovations of sites made possible by casino revenue.

Above: Hoover Dam under construction in 1936, before Lake Mead filled. Left: Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on Fremont Street in 1950

The Green Future of Casinos Is Now

By Todd R. Berger

Thirty miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada, among the Joshua trees and greater roadrunners of the Mojave Desert, 323,000 solar panels covering the equivalent of 484 football fields glisten in the sun. This 100-megawatt solar array provides 90% of the electricity for 13 MGM Resorts International casinos and 36,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas, including ARIA Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas, and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Away from the glittering lights of the Las Vegas Strip, the sunshine collected by these panels spotlight a sustainable future for casinos worldwide.

MGM Resorts International solar array outside Las Vegas, Nevada

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Many casino properties are making sustainability a priority. Caesars Entertainment repurposes and recycles just about everything at its casinos, including used soap, towels, and dice. Caesars’ hotels also conserve energy by turning off lights and air conditioning in unoccupied rooms. Visitors to Caesars Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, and Paris Las Vegas who order a glass of Zinfandel are served a vintage directly from a keg rather than a bottle.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidelines on its website that focus on green initiatives for tribal casinos, and, certainly, many across the country embrace sustainability. Chumash Casino Resort, operated by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in Santa Barbara County, California, has sharply cut electricity usage in its complexes. The tribe built new facilities in 2004 that included doublewalled insulation, a reflective rooftop, and a wastewater treatment plant that reclaims water; the improvements saved the tribe 18% in energy costs. Similarly, Michigan’s Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel implemented skylights to provide natural light and replace electric lighting as early as 2008, reducing energy use by a stunning 50%.

As MGM Resorts International did outside Las Vegas, many tribal casinos also turn to the sun for energy generation and to efficient lighting for energy conservation. In addition to being the first solar-powered casino in Southern California, Harrah’s Resort Southern California—operated by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians—has a wastewater treatment plant that generates reclaimed water for cleaning and irrigation, and a biodigester that turns food waste into water. At many casinos, tribal or not, much more efficient LED lights are largely replacing incandescent bulbs, not an insignificant trend given casinos’ tendency to use lights on everything from slot machines to video displays.

Some casinos take measures to improve life for other inhabitants of their region. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in California— with casinos in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City—partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor endangered peninsular bighorn sheep through data collected from high-frequency collars. The Tulalip Tribes in Washington, which run two casinos north of Seattle, operate a salmon hatchery on tribal land that raises and releases 11.5 million juvenile salmon each year.

The tribes—including the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other allied bands—also actively manage the habitat of the Salish Sea (including Puget Sound) to support several species of clams, shrimp, and Dungeness crabs.

The sustainability landscape for casinos has evolved dramatically in the last few decades. Many casinos now measure environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria alongside the financial bottom line. Often, casinos see setting ESG goals as essential to saving money and increasing profit. Those that do embrace sustainability will be able to thrive as society evolves toward a greener future.

Harrah’s Resort Southern California was the first casino in the southern part of the state to use solar power.

FIND THE PERFECT SETTING for your gathering at Agua Caliente Casinos. No ma er which of the three premier properties you choose—Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, or Cathedral City—your event is sure to exceed expectations.

Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage has a variety of venues for your next event, including a 13,000-square-foot conference center that’s perfect for larger groups and a scenic outdoor event lawn, complete with dramatic views of the San Jacinto Mountains. For a more intimate venue, book the private Wine Room at The Steakhouse. Awarded four stars by Forbes Travel Guide, the renowned restaurant o ers gourmet steaks and seafood alongside fine wines.

Agua Caliente Palm Springs, in the heart of downtown, is where luxury meets laid-back. The Cascade Lounge is a swanky venue complete with a stage, dance floor, central bar, and elegant booth seating. The Steakhouse is also available for booking premier group dining.

Agua Caliente Cathedral City is the newest property in Agua Caliente’s collection. The 12,000-square-foot Agave Caliente Terraza is an outdoor entertainment space nestled among stunning skies and picturesque mountain views. Hosting your next corporate or private event there guarantees a unique experience.

BORGATA HOTEL CASINO & SPA in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is a top-of-theline destination to host meetings and events—with an added flare of excitement for everyone who a ends.

As the premier casino resort on the East Coast, Borgata is just a one-to-twohour drive away from Philadelphia or New York City, and the amenities will wow a endees in a variety of ways. Multiple slot machines and table games can be found on the casino floor to appeal to any gamers. The fine-dining outlets spread across the property can be reserved for a team meal a er a day of meetings and are sure to delight everyone’s taste buds. With skilled chefs across the property, catering for an event has never been easier.

Whether something grand or intimate is needed, Borgata’s event planners help select the ideal location and layout for each event. Business meetings, conventions, and trade shows can all be planned in one of the 11 secluded event spaces away from the casino floor that accommodate groups from 10 to 700. Each space is equipped with the latest technology, which is customizable. Borgata is equipped to make executing an event feel like hi ing the jackpot.

With more than 50 first-class properties spread throughout 20 destinations and 120 sales executives across the country, Caesars Entertainment’s vast empire promises not only a wealth of convenient options, but a commitment to provide unparalleled family-style services. From ideating an event to packing up on the last day, Caesars Entertainment ensures an easy, streamlined level of service to top off its continuously evolving collection of cutting-edge meeting spaces, unforgettable resorts, decadent restaurants, and more. Over the past year, Caesars Entertainment has shown concrete proof of its dedication to providing the best of the best, with massive new additions to its Las Vegas properties and beyond.

Part of the company’s latest evolution, CAESARS FORUM utilized its 550,000 square feet of conference space to host the 2022 NFL Draft, welcoming thousands of ecstatic sports fans. For the high-profile event, the FORUM created an enormous stage and stretched its outdoor space to include the nearby LINQ Promenade parking lot, helping to accommodate the massive audience. Located centrally amid 8,500 hotel rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ, and Flamingo, CAESARS FORUM provides the two largest pillar-less ballrooms in the world, featuring modern design and flexibility.

The mecca of celebrity chef dining, Paris Las Vegas, welcomed a veritable constellation of star-studded restaurants this year. Sushi

legend Nobu Matsuhisa opened a second Las Vegas location of his eponymous Nobu restaurant at the resort. Next door, Bobby Flay debuted his fast-casual concept, Bobby’s Burgers, bringing a decadent take on burgers, milkshakes, and fries for guests on the go. Vanderpump à Paris—part of reality television icon Lisa Vanderpump’s portfolio—brought with it visions of an old Parisian courtyard. At the tail end of the summer, Martha Stewart’s first-ever dining concept, The Bedford, opened its doors.

In addition to huge new meeting spaces and decadent eateries, Caesars Entertainment has not forgotten to update the backbone of any stay: the accommodations. Harrah’s Las Vegas’ rooms and casino floor have undergone extensive renovations. Meanwhile, Bally’s Las Vegas is undergoing a complete transformation, from its exterior to its rooms and casino floor—preparing to reintroduce itself as Horseshoe Las Vegas by the end of 2022.

FROM HOSTING CONFERENCES and intimate meetings to epic concerts and worldclass entertainers, the ilani in Ridgefield, Washington, has the state-of-the-art facilities and expert staff to make any event a success. With 30,000 square feet of multiuse venue space, endless entertainment options, and a Four Diamond hotel coming in 2023, the area’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment, and meeting destination will help bring your event to the next level.

Equipped to accommodate groups and conventions of various sizes, the resort’s Cowlitz Ballroom can host a crowd of 2,500 for a variety of events. For a more intimate meeting space, the 650-square-foot Cedar Boardroom is perfect for private occasions. The Meeting and Entertainment Center is sure to create a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.

The ilani is a unique gaming experience unlike any other in the Pacific Northwest, boasting a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor with nearly 3,000 slots and 75 gaming tables— something for everyone. With the casino nearby and pockets of entertainment throughout the resort, ilani provides a unique dining atmosphere—13 restaurant options encompassing fine dining, casual meals, bars, and quick bites for guests on the go.

Monarch Casino Resort Spa

MONARCH CASINO RESORT SPA in Black Hawk, Colorado, is a world-class destination that brings vibrancy to events of all varieties. The breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains with dramatic canyon views presents a unique experience for visitors. Monarch’s meticulous meeting planners are dedicated to flawless execution from the moment you arrive—whether hosting 3 or 250, the resort o ers easily configurable spaces, featuring state-of-theart amenities, scenic views, comfort, and elegance.

Twenty-three floors above Black Hawk, seek solace at Spa Monarch, a place of relaxation and rejuvenation in the form of unique treatment options and spaces—an escape from everyday life. Experience heart-pounding gaming action in the two-level casino area, featuring over 1,000 slot machines, 40 game tables, a live poker room, and the Sportsbook Lounge. The floor is always open, providing easy access to free-time activities.

Five on-site restaurants o er dining options to satisfy any pale e or occasion. For a contemporary atmosphere, enjoy modern Mexican Latin cuisine at Bistro Mariposa. For a luxurious, upscale dining experience, visit Monarch Chophouse. Twenty-Four 7 and The Bu et are perfect options for casual dining, while Java etc. is the place to grab a Starbucks co ee and a quick bite on the go.

Inspiring

FROM

CUTTING-EDGE

PRESENTATIONS to gala banquets, MotorCity Casino Hotel has the facilities to make the extraordinary happen for you. It’s the only place in Detroit that can o er sophisticated boardrooms, 67,500 square feet of flexible banquet and meeting space, and the state-of-the-art 1,500-seat Sound Board theater.

Guests at MotorCity enjoy luxury accommodations with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, valet parking, and 24-hour fitness and business centers. Add a spa, great dining options, and live entertainment, and you have an incomparable place for meetings and events. MotorCity boasts award-winning meeting professionals, an acclaimed culinary sta , and a friendly and professional event team that will ensure that your meeting is flawlessly executed.

At MotorCity, you can work hard and play harder. When you step onto the awardwinning gaming floor, you’ll find 2,700 slot machines including the latest multi-line video and 5-reel slots, 59 table games, and a 12-table smoke-free Poker Room. Plus, the spacious, two-story FanDuel Sportsbook boasts eight be ing windows, 67 HDTVs, a sports ticker, 54 self-service IGT PlaySports be ing kiosks, multiple bars, and plenty of plush leather seating.

Don’t just meet—be moved by the high-powered hospitality of MotorCity Casino Hotel.

ESCAPE THE BORED ROOM.

B u s i n e s s m e e t i n g s a r e b u i l t d i f f e r e n t h e r e S p a , d i n i n g , m u s i c , a n d g a m i n g 4 0 0 p e r f e c t l y a p p o i n te d r o o m s a n d ove r 67, 5 0 0 f u l l y r e n ova te d s q u a r e f e e t o f d y n a m i c m e e t i n g s p a c e . I n n ova t i ve , e n te r t a i n i n g , a n d e x c i t i n g . L o u d , p r o u d , a n d l u x u r i o u s D o n’ t j u s t m e e t B e m ove d by t h e h i g h - p owe r e d h o s p i t a l i t y o f M o to r C i t y C a s i n o H o te l M o t o r C i t y C a s in o . c o m

M o t o r C i t y C a s i n o H o t e l a n d M o t o r C i t y C a s i n o H o t e l d e s i g n a r e t r a d e m a r k s o f D e t r o i t E n t e r t a i n m e n t , L . L . C . © 2 0 2 2 D e t r o i t E n t e r t a i n m e n t , L . L . C . A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d .

Pechanga Resort Casino

951-770-8551 | pechanga.com

PECHANGA RESORT CASINO is nestled in Temecula’s picturesque Southern California Wine Country, the perfect place to stay and play with 1,090 beautifully appointed guest rooms. Guests are treated to exceptional entertainment, dining, and golf amid 24 hours of gaming excitement. The immense 200,000-plus-square-foot casino features more than 5,400 slots and 130 gaming tables. Encompassing 40,000 square feet is Pechanga’s event center—capable of dividing into five sections for a variety of events.

A world of culinary delights awaits at Pechanga’s award-winning restaurants. Featuring a variety of international cuisines, from fine dining to quick bites for guests on the go, the resort houses eight restaurants and a full-featured food court.

Find relaxation at Spa Pechanga: a two-level, 25,000-square-foot spa featuring 17 treatment rooms, a private pool with cabana massage service, state-of-the-art fitness studio, two indoor hydrotherapy pools, and hair and nail salons. The Cove, Pechanga’s 4.5-acre pool complex, features three main pools including a swim-up bar, floating day beds, and more. The world-class, par-72 golf course, Journey at Pechanga, is ranked one of California’s best, winding through 300 feet of native canyons and ravines.

Meetings &

Quechan Casino Resort

QUECHAN CASINO RESORT is an ideal destination in Winterhaven, California—and is host to casino game favorites, four restaurants, and world-class entertainment. The expansive casino floor is home to a variety of gaming, from trying your hand at blackjack to spinning reels at a slot machine. Quechan Resort Casino has an array of eateries, whether you are seeking a fine-dining experience or a casual sports bar. Close to gaming action and great service, Quechan is the perfect place for hosting meetings and events.

Conveniently located next to Yuma, Arizona, Pipa Event Center is just a quick trip away. The event center is one of the region’s largest venues for weddings, meetings, and special events.

It offers a full-size stage and auditorium with seating for 2,300 and dedicated space for a dance floor. Boasting over 20,000 square feet of space—divisible into six stately rooms ranging from 2,415 to 3,174 square feet—the auditorium can be reconfigured for business meetings, team-building exercises, training seminars, trade shows, formal presentations, luncheons, dinners, banquets, weddings, and more. The expert staff of planners ensures flawless execution to make the most of all occasions.

SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT is the ultimate place to have a winning time and is home to Michigan’s largest gaming floor. Whether you love playing for triple sevens or pu ing on a mean poker face, all guests can win big with one of the largest collections of slot machines and table games in Michigan—something for everyone. Additionally, guests can continue their hot streak over at the bingo hall.

Ge ing hungry? Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort presents a variety of topnotch, award-winning dining options that will appeal to everyone. Whether seeking a thick, juicy steak at an upscale steakhouse or a casual all-American burger and milkshake, Soaring Eagle has the options to satisfy every pale e.

What’s dinner without a show? When it comes to entertainment, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort has been voted the Best Outdoor Concert Venue in Michigan, and has won countless awards for bringing in top-tier talent to the middle of the state.

YOUR GETAWAY. REIMAGINED.

Escape the world for a while and enjoy endless action and indulgence. Celebrate your winning moments. Taste the good life. Lounge around in plush accommodations. And do it all over again tomorrow. It’s all here at Michigan’s most exciting destination

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort

SET AMONG the majestic beauty of the Sonoran Desert landscape, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is the jewel of the Phoenix area, located just moments from Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, Arizona. The resort is a stunning state-of-the-art oasis and the latest chapter in the rich history of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The casino features a spacious gaming floor with hundreds of slots; table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette; and the WKP Sportsbook powered by Betfred Sports. It’s all part of a spectacular resort getaway with numerous amenities and comforts.

Host to a number of eateries for any occasion, We-Ko-Pa showcases an incredible array of flavors from around the world.

A destination dining experience, Ember is the perfect stop for an upscale restaurant atmosphere. More casual options include WKP Sports Bar and Entertainment, Ahnala, and The Market.

The resort also serves those who love the outdoors. The We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is home to two award-winning courses, and Fort McDowell Adventures offers guests the chance to tour the desert landscape on horseback, by kayak, or through guided Segway tours.

Business and pleasure come together in the stunning beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Here, you’ll find 25,000 square feet of meeting space that’s flexible to suit gatherings large and small, as well as a 246-room hotel, unforgettable dining, and more. It’s all in the Valley’s finest AAA Four-Diamond Casino Resort.

WILDHORSE RESORT & CASINO sits 4 miles east of Pendleton among the wheat fields and Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. The resort and casino has two 18-hole golf courses, nine restaurants, a five-screen cineplex, 24 bowling lanes, live music, and multiple indoor-outdoor event spaces with room for 12 to 720 people. It is owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which includes the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples, and carries on a long tradition of games pertaining to skill and chance from the region’s tribal cultures. The 10-story Tower Hotel has rooms and suites featuring spectacular views of eastern Oregon’s high desert plateaus. Nearby, visitors can tour the world-famous Pendleton Woolen Mills; host events at the Hamley Steakhouse, Western Store, and Saddle Shop; and pick huckleberries or hunt for mushrooms in the Umatilla National Forest. The region also features the Pendleton Round-Up in September, which includes the town’s annual rodeo, as well as brewpubs, wineries, and multiple restaurants and shops along the city’s Main Street.

Sky Ute Casino Resort

UNIQUELY LOCATED amid the diverse Four Corners region of southwest Colorado, Sky Ute Casino Resort is the perfect hub from which to explore the area’s beautiful landscapes. The resort features Las Vegas-style gaming with a familyfriendly atmosphere and easy access to Rolling Thunder Lanes and Arcade and Chimney Rock Playground. Historic downtown Durango, Mesa Verde National Park, and Purgatory Ski Resort are also nearby. The resort features 140 culturally themed rooms and a 25-space RV park, along with on-site dining at Seven Rivers Steak, Seafood, and Spirits—the only authentic steakhouse in southwest Colorado.

PHOTOS: SKY UTE CASINO RESORT

» BY JULIE KENDRICK

just doesn’t cut it anymore. The landscape of meeting planning is going through a quiet revolution, and the old rules no longer apply. Instead, they are being replaced with new treatments from the once-sacred conference tote bag to the way chairs in the ballroom are arranged. We talked to meeting planners who are creating fresher, more authentic approaches to your average meetings.

FROM “SAME OLD” TO “CAN’T MISS”

Potential attendees are no longer automatically signing up for meetings they have always attended. Instead, they are demanding a compelling reason as to why they should spend their time away from home and work to attend a meeting. “We need to lure attendees back with ‘can’t miss’ on-site experiences,” says Maggie Pearson, president of Evergreen Meeting Management of Herndon, Virginia. “They are looking for that experience, followed by networking and educational opportunities.”

“Everything needs to serve a purpose,” says David Fiss, director of corporate partnerships and event strategy

at San Francisco’s Sustainable Brands, a global community of brand leaders who are tapping into environmental and social challenges to drive innovation, business, and brand value. “We need to continue to innovate and find ways to convince attendees that it will be a valuable use of their time—and time, after all, is their most valuable resource. It’s all about value creation now.”

In the age of social media, it has become hard to remain patient without getting constant “hits” from new content. With the consistent influx of pings and notices, Fiss acknowledges that maintaining attendees’ attention is harder than ever. “All our brains have been trained by social media to watch videos that are 30 seconds long,” Fiss says. “Now we are asking folks to go to a one-hour cocktail party, which can seem like a very long time in our new reality.”

Fiss suggests that meeting planners ask themselves what they can make happen at a one-hour event to keep attendees entertained and engaged. He provides this comparison as an example: “If they just went to a Lizzo concert last night and now they are at your keynote session, how will you match that experience? That may not be fair—of course we don’t have the kinds of budgets that Lizzo has—but it’s important for all of us to realize that expectations are higher than ever.”

AGENDAS

We can all recite the standard meeting agenda from memory: early-morning pastries and coffee leading into a jam-packed general session, with short breaks and an in-and-out lunch. It’s a schedule that is punishing to body and soul, especially with many attendees’ new focus of maintaining a balanced life, even when at a meeting. “Everything used to be structured around maximizing the time of ‘butts in seats,’” says Julie Walker, a meeting planner at Choice Meetings in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. “Clients also wanted a very structured classroom-type setup in their meeting rooms, never giving any thought to individual learning styles or comfort levels.”

Those rules are increasingly being broken to make way for less-structured meetings that allow time for serendipitous networking and more meaningful conversations. “Feedback from participants tells us that they also want to participate in community service requirements (CSR) and give-back activities, and they really enjoy team-building experiences—when they are executed well,” Walker says.

Attendees also want time to attend to everything else on their minds from a work and leisure perspective. The scheduled times that allow them to respond to inquiries throughout the day, instead of having to cram a full workday into the few hours after dinner, can really make a difference. “Even with virtual attendees, we tell them in advance that they will have those breaks and when they will be, so they can plan their day accordingly,” Fiss says.

PHOTO: (OPPOSITE) ADOBE / BULLRUN

“WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY”

MAIN ROOM EVENTS

As many organizations are beginning to gather for the first time in a few years, meeting planners are asking them to take a fresh look at how they want to conduct major elements of meeting design. “One facet of our work with clients is to identify sacred cows, things they have always done that could or should be eliminated or refreshed,” says Lisa Block, executive vice president of conference strategy and design at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting in Aurora, Ohio.

Instead of doing what has always been done in terms of ceremonies, introductions, and endless speeches from organizational and board leadership, clients and planners are focusing on what matters most. “They’re stripping the fluff and focusing on storytelling and audience engagement, when possible,” Block says, and they are rethinking other former must-haves like private receptions, buddy programs, spouse or partner events, ribbon cuttings, and, as she puts it, “welcome events that aren’t very welcoming.”

the Final Frontier

Space,

“Space allocation for groups is going to have to change,” Pearson says. “For so long, we have seen the same sets in the same rooms, because properties want to maximize their space for profit, so they fit as many people as possible into the fewest number of rooms. In the future, they will need to loosen their grips on their space and configurations to work with planners.”

Here are some considerations Pearson suggests for more space-conscious meetings:

» MORE SPACE THAN EVER BEFORE: If your event is more technically complex or theatrical, you are going to need extra square footage. In addition, public health concerns require more space to adhere to safety protocols.

» REFRESHED FURNISHINGS: Traditional lecture furniture, with a lectern at the front of the room and chairs neatly lined up in rows, is no longer a “rule” for meeting setups. Instead, it’s being replaced with more creative pieces from properties, such as soft sofas with plenty of lower-back support, stylish swivel seating, and beanbag chairs.

»

BALANCING SAFETY AND HOSPITALITY: No matter how the space is laid out or designed, it is important for the attendees to feel both welcome and safe. Cozy and inviting spaces will always be appreciated, as will seating options that allow attendees to sit far enough away from each other to be within public health guidelines. If weather permits, outdoor patios and other spaces can offer the perfect balance.

COZIER SEATING ELICITS INCREASED INTERACTION AMONG ATTENDEES.

STAND-UP SESSIONS ENERGIZE MEETING-GOERS.

BEEFING UP BREAKOUTS

“Learning doesn’t just happen in the meeting room behind closed doors under the big screen, featuring death by PowerPoint,” Walker says. “We grow when we connect and share ideas with each other, and our attendees expect and demand these opportunities now.” Lining up a few experts at a long table for every session just doesn’t cut it anymore, either. “We think the ‘all panels, all the time’ format needs refreshing,” she says.

One way to set the tone and let attendees know that things are going to be different is to create rooms that feature a blend of high-tops or other standing options along with traditional classroom-style seating. That way, each person can find a type of seating that accommodates their personality and mood. Stand-up meetings often encourage more interaction and engagement, and Walker says that they tend to be the most high-energy breakouts of an entire meeting.

LIFE OUTSIDE THE BALLROOM

Old-school meetings kept attendees on-site from morning to night, but that’s changing as people express a desire to explore the meeting location and the area’s highlights. “Connecting with local communities increasingly is an objective for our clients,” Walker says. “Through these different activities, we are able to engage the senses and foster new ways of learning—which will have a lasting impact on the attendees.”

“People who travel to an event want to feel good about being in that location, and they don’t want to be part of a crowd that destroys a way of life for residents,” says David Lorenz, vice president for Travel Michigan. To accomplish this, Lorenz suggests that planners collaborate with local convention and visitors bureaus to bring a region’s amenities and attractions to light.

BALANCING SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY

Sustainability is an important element coming into fruition. For any type of event, Fiss says attendees are increasingly

noticing how every single element is accounted for, including waste reduction, straw usage (or the materials they are made of), and even the amount of meat that is being served at meals.

For Fiss, that might mean that a longstanding complimentary item like the meeting gift bag could sail into the sunset, dragging a raft of mousepads and stress balls in its wake. “Giving away bags full of stuff no one wants just isn’t cutting it anymore,” he says. And for every sustainable action that’s being taken, meeting planners need to make sure that it’s been effectively communicated to stakeholders and attendees. “You have got to let them know what steps you are taking and what potential impact those actions might have,” he says.

The delicate balance between safety and sustainability might also be shifting as a response to changing

public health considerations, which can be a win-win for everyone. “One of the ways meetings focused on safety after the start of the pandemic was by offering single-use items for food and beverage service,” she says. “I hope this can change as we learn more about COVID-19 safety, because then properties will be able to reduce single-use items and be more sustainable.”

AND FINALLY … LANYARDS

“I would love to see the name badge lanyard go away forever,” Walker says. “Why are we wearing name badges at our navels where no one can see them? It’s especially awkward at mealtime when we’re all sitting down, and our name badges are below the table.” Walker offered up the inspirational hashtag #losethelanyard for her meeting planner colleagues to adopt, as they consider a return to attendee IDs that can be viewed at eye level.

PHOTO:

Exactly where we should meet.

When you’re true to who you are, you’re true to where you are. Come join us.

TraverseCity.com/meetings

uNCONVENTION

cErtified meeting planner amy young of destination consultants in grand rapids says activities “off-site”—in atypical settings or offering recreational and other team-building opportunities— help people let their guard down and open up to each other.

n the same way that golf allows for ‘real conversations’ among business associates and helps create a trusting bond, and sometimes even a friendship, the right off-site activity can provide the same benefit,” Young says.

Michigan offers a variety of unique, offbeat settings for gatherings. From theaters and farms to cultural institutions and gardens, venues of all kinds can be transformed into meeting spaces or simply offer opportunities for off-site camaraderie for groups of any size.

GEM THEATRE DETROIT

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By Wensdy Von Buskirk

At the Gem Theatre, architecture takes center stage. The Spanish Revival-style landmark was built in 1927 and features exquisite detail, from plush carpet to an ornate, hand-painted ceiling. The Forbes family purchased the historic theater in 1991 and when construction of new sports stadiums beginning in 1997 threatened its existence, the family set a Guinness World Record by moving the whole building to its current home on Madison Avenue.

“There are two theaters that comprise the Gem Theatre Complex—the Gem Theatre and the Century Theatre—along with two multiuse rooms that can be used for receptions, flexible breakout spaces, or meal spaces,” says Jake Forbes, Forbes Hospitality general manager.

These offbeat spaces offer one-of-a-kind event experiences for any group.

The Welcome Center at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers plenty of space for people to gather.

The swank Century Club Room and immaculate garden terrace offer additional gathering space.

“The Gem Theatre is very flexible to accommodate a wide range of events,” Forbes says. “We can do anything from a board dinner for 20 to 30 guests to award shows of up to 500 guests and everything in between.”

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK GRAND RAPIDS

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids is a year-round venue that can accommodate 10 to 1,000 people, says Stacie Niedzwiecki, director of culinary arts and events for the gardens.

The site offers several meeting spaces, from a new rooftop garden to the romantic Victorian parlor, all adorned with plants from around the world. Outside, worldrenowned sculptures are nestled in natural settings, including the 24-foot bronze monument “American Horse” by Nina Akamu that is inspired by a cast created by Leonardo da Vinci.

“If you are having a business meeting or doing intense strategy planning, you can

take a break and walk through our indoor gardens or go outside and walk the trails,” Niedzwiecki says. “Even in the middle of winter, our tropical conservatory is gorgeous, warm, and beautiful. You can look out the window and see snowflakes falling. It’s truly unique.”

During the holidays, Christmas trees and seasonal exhibits fill the halls. One of them— the Railway Garden—has trains weaving their way around holiday-themed horticulture and miniature landmarks inside the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse.

Outside, guests can grab a hot beverage and enjoy dramatic, interactive light displays. “We are a four-seasons garden, and we pride ourselves on that,” Niedzwiecki says.

ANN ARBOR HANDS-ON MUSEUM ANN ARBOR

Event goers can tap into their inner child at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. After hours, planners can fill the entire space with cafe-style tables for up to 500 guests to indulge in food and beverages, or 50 can partake in a sit-down dinner. Smaller meeting spaces throughout the venue also can be rented during business hours.

In any case, guests are invited to get their hands on the museum’s interactive exhibits. According to Development Manager Sara Brintnall, adults revel in the activities—from the laser harp to the mist tornado.

“So many times, adults come in and their children are guiding what’s happening, and that’s fine,” she says. “But during special events, I think they do have a good time being able to experience it themselves.”

A rosy garden terrace at the Gem Theatre

TOLLGATE FARM AND EDUCATION CENTER NOVI

Hosting an event at Michigan State University’s Tollgate Farm and Education Center provides an immersive agricultural experience. The state-of-the-art Conference Center and rustic Tollgate Barn both accommodate up to 150 people. Outdoor gatherings are a great option for company picnics, while the farmhouse boardroom seats small meetings for up to 12 people.

Surrounding the historic buildings are 160 acres of wetlands, crops, and pastures full of horses, goats, sheep, and chickens.

“It’s a beautiful working farm,” says Lisa Bahm, event and program coordinator.

Teams have the chance to feed livestock, learn from master gardeners, and help paint fences or harvest potatoes they can take home.

“When we rent to businesses or private events, they have access to the grounds. We can arrange for add-ons like hayrides and animal experiences,” Bahm says. “People enjoy working from home, but they also long for the ability to have camaraderie. Now more than ever, with a hybrid way of working, managers and supervisors are trying to find unique ways to build team spirit. The farm has a lot to offer in that regard.”

Casual surroundings make for comfortable gatherings at Barrel + Beam in Marquette.

BARREL + BEAM MARQUETTE

This historic supper club turned brewery gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at the beermaking process. Husband-and-wife team Nick VanCourt and Marina Dupler rent out the whole brewery for parties of up to 180 people. They can also accommodate small groups of about 20 on the upper mezzanine, which opens to a balcony overlooking the Ore Heritage Trail, Route 41, and the surrounding woodlands.

“People love to see where the magic happens,” Dupler says. “In breweries, sometimes the process is tucked away, but we wanted people to feel that they can see what’s usually off-limits.”

Guests may tour the elaborate tanks and brewing system, and the barrel room where beer, cider, and mead age.

Whether groups host their events at Barrel + Beam or gather after convening at nearby Northern Michigan University, Dupler can arrange for a variety of tastings. Most recently, Barrel + Beam opened Northwoods Test Kitchen, which it will use itself as well as make available to community food entrepreneurs, chefs, and caterers. They also debuted a deli case with sandwiches, cheese plates, and more.

“We love hosting groups both large and small,” Dupler says.

A state-of-the-art conference center and historic barn at MSU’s Tollgate Farm and Education Center in Novi

DETROIT ZOO ROYAL OAK

One of the most popular places for events at the Detroit Zoo is the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, which seats 150. The two-story circular venue boasts a permanent fine art collection where guests can view animal-themed art from a Pewabic tile peacock mural to bronze baboon sculptures by renowned artist Marshall M. Fredericks, and then stroll directly into the butterfly gardens. Other indoor options are the Polk Penguin Conservation Center and the Arctic Ring of Life with its polar bears and sea otters.

The zoo’s Senior Events Manager Megan Gregg recommends the Asian Forest for outdoor events. Here, guests can see giraffes, tigers, and red pandas.

“You can have an event and be able to feed the giraffes and have them in the background of all your photos,” she says.

Guests may take the tram to their destination, glimpsing other animals along the way. For large gatherings of 500-plus, planners can book the entire zoo after hours, giving participants free rein to wander. Gregg says the zoo can customize any size event complete with tables, linens, and a full catering menu.

“We live to come up with fun, creative ideas,” she says. “It’s such a unique venue.”

AIR ZOO AEROSPACE & SCIENCE MUSEUM

KALAMAZOO

At this zoo of a different breed, up to 1,500 people can attend an event surrounded by floor-to-ceiling images from the galaxy.

“One of the largest indoor hand-painted murals in the world goes all along the walls, surrounding [the] event space [and] showing early flight all the way to the Jet Age and Space Age,” says event manager Holly Lee. “It’s really compelling to look at.”

Beyond the classrooms, meeting rooms, and boardrooms that accommodate groups large and small are a variety of aircraft, exhibits, and rides.

“It’s amazing to get adults out in a museum doing activities that might normally be reserved for their young kids,” Lee says. “They do the flight simulators, build paper airplanes, and go home talking about what an amazing time they had.”

Team-building exercises include constructing rockets, solving crimes, and even sanding aircraft parts.

“They can help restore planes that have been on the bottom of Lake Michigan for 50 years,” Lee says. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that people can’t get anywhere else.”

Lee says she’s seen increasing demand for group events after more than two years of COVID-19. “People have been stuck in virtual calls for a [long time],” she says. “Coming to a place like the Air Zoo gives them the opportunity to break the ice, explore together, do activities, and then get down to business—all at the same time.”

airzoo.org barrelandbeam.com canr.msu.edu/tollgate detroitzoo.org discoverscienceandnature.org forbesdetroit.com meijergardens.org

PHOTOS: SARAH CULTON AND LEE FISHER; AIR ZOO; OPPOSITE: TOLLGATE FARM; BARREL + BEAM

The Detroit Zoo can be reserved for special events.

The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Kalamazoo

WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET?

The pandemic has enhanced our awareness of safety precautions for physical health and in organizational wellness. With digital wallets, consumers have a contactless way to pay for, or access, their event necessities. They also enhance the overall customer experience through efficient, direct transactions from consumer to vendor or vice versa.

SAFETY and FLEXIBILITY are PRIORITY GROWTH by

the NUMBERS

The attention to safety influences how of consumers worldwide choose to make their transactions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) financial assistants, such as Clerkie and SoFi , monitor how your money is spent. Users can use these smart aids to track bills, create effective financial strategies, and receive feedback on monetary goals.

Digital wallets are a way to compartmentalize a range of identification. From state IDs and passports to Social Security cards and medical records, users can create an all-in-one solution to ID management.

of users think that contactless payments using digital wallets are the safest bet for financial exchanges.

Super apps , like WeChat , provide users with access to financial resources beyond facilitating payments. Along with processing transactions, they offer other financial resources including tracking various accounts, loan offers, and investing.

Wearable IDs are most commonly in the form of a smartwatch and, more recently, key fobs. Brands like Apple, Google, and Samsung have created their own means of digitizing on-the-go personal data as a way for users to organize their financials beyond a leather wallet.

BACKGROUND IMAGE: ADOBE STOCK/NABUGU

ROOM BOOM IN TRAVERSE CITY

» WHEN TREVOR TKACH WAS NAMED president and CEO of Traverse City Tourism in 2016, the board that hired him made a prediction.

“I was told that I’d better start building up demand because there will be more rooms in the next 10 years,” he says. More than six years into his role, Tkach is seeing that come true.

A half-dozen hotels are in various stages of planning and construction around this northern Lower Michigan tourist destination. Collectively, they will add about 550 rooms. The projects featured in this expansion include Tru by Hilton, which, with 90 rooms, is accepting reservations starting in February; Avid Hotel with 92 rooms; a 123-room Residence Inn by Marriott; a 122-room Staybridge Suites by IHG; a 90-room Marriott next to the Hotel Indigo Traverse City; and a locally owned 32-room waterfront property called the Alexandra Inn.

The additional rooms are likely to fill during the summer, Tkach says. That’s when the area is flooded with visitors who come to enjoy the area’s beaches, wineries, breweries, eclectic small towns, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, among other sites. Occupancy in July and August can exceed 83% as compared to 41% in January 2022. The region is also a big destination for conferences, weddings, and reunions.

FROM SUPERMARKET TO SUPER SPACE

What do you do with 30,000 square feet of empty grocery store space? In Ann Arbor, 4M envisioned Venue Restaurant & Bar, a place where people could enjoy good food as well as host meetings and events.

According to CEO Margaret Poscher, the real estate development and property management firm owns other properties in the Lower Burns Park neighborhood of Ann Arbor. After the old Lucky’s Market sat vacant following its closing in early 2020, 4M considered alternatives for the site and landed on an event space.

Venue’s restaurant and bar can seat 250 people and includes an outdoor patio that can accommodate an additional 250. “Then we have an indoor events space that can comfortably seat 100 people, and we can do standing cocktail hors d’oeuvres-ey things for 140-ish in that space,” Poscher says. “We have two meeting rooms that double as private dining rooms that seat 14 each comfortably.” Venue also offers buyouts of the entire restaurant and adjoining areas, which would make it possible to seat and serve about 350.

The influx of rooms doesn’t necessarily translate to an increase in space for meetings, though it does offer more lodging options for those attending them. “To my understanding, the hotels being built— probably none of them are full service,” Tkach says. “We won’t have more opportunity to host more meetings, but to accommodate more people in the venues we have.”

Staffing the new properties might also be a challenge. “We’re already dealing with staffing issues in northern [Lower Peninsula] Michigan,” Tkach says. “I suspect this will add to those challenges.

“However, I think a lot of creative solutions are happening, especially in hospitality, to try and curb some of those.”

Besides, he notes, big corporations’ willingness to invest in Traverse City says a lot. “I don’t think Hilton or Marriott take on things that aren’t projected to be successful,” he says. “I’m sure they’re reading the tea leaves telling them this market is strong and will continue to be strong for many years.”

traversecity.com

4M partnered with Chef Thad Gillies, the former owner and chef at Ann Arbor’s Logan Restaurant, which closed in 2020. He created four different menus, which include items such as chicken wings and sandwiches; salmon; roasted European sea bass; Neapolitan pizzas made with in-house sourdough starter; handmade pastas; and street tacos, along with a variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Chef Kate Williams of Karl’s in Detroit, a James Beard Award nominee, created a fifth menu that includes Karl’s classics: an all-day breakfast with pancakes and “red hot” chicken and waffles, an Irish breakfast with all of the fixings, macaroni and cheese, Maurice salad, and a modern take on grilled cheese and tomato soup. These tasty eats are available for events, though clients can also work with the staff to create their own menus.

And a plus of being in a former grocery store? Parking. There are about 110 parking spots. “It’s a great space,” Poscher says. “It’s big, but it feels intimate at the same time.”

A Decade of Caring

It has been 10 years since Patty Janes pitched her idea, Michigan Cares for Tourism, to state industry and education leaders who could help make it happen.

Modeled after the national nonprofit Tourism Cares, her concept proposed that volunteers representing the state’s hospitality industry would donate their time by providing labor to help improve Michigan’s historic, cultural, and natural attractions. With donated resources including bus transportation and obtaining a $5,000 grant to jumpstart the project, it was off to the races.

“We had seed money and did our first event,” says Janes, a professor of hospitality and tourism management at Grand Valley State University in Allendale.

That first gathering was held in 2012 at the Waterloo State Recreation Area in Chelsea, and Michigan Cares for Tourism returned to Waterloo Sept. 11 this year as a reunion to mark the initiative’s 10th anniversary. They followed the reunion with a workday at Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Brooklyn on Sept. 12, where about 100 volunteers turned out

to help expand a trail system, build an entertainment stage, rebuild a scoreboard for vintage baseball, reconstruct fencing, paint, and work on landscaping.

In the interim years, approximately 3,500 volunteers representing convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and related industries have provided volunteer labor worth $1 million; volunteers worked on 42 similar projects throughout the state. Four have been in the Upper Peninsula, where 2023 will take the group to work on projects in the Porcupine Mountains.

“It’s really amazing to think that almost 4,000 tourism industry professionals have given their time, talents, and resources over the past 10 years to make an impact on 42 different attractions,” Janes says. “The industry is already known for incredibly hard work and oftentimes, long hours. But so many continue to give not only in their own communities, but [also] for the [tourism] industry around the state.”

michigancaresfortourism.com

Volunteers turn out for a work day at Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Brooklyn.

REIMAGINING SAINT JOHN’S RESORT

»

SO MUCH IS CHANGING at the recently rebranded Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth that it’s hard to find anything that isn’t new at the 75-year-old property.

Previously known as The Inn at Saint John’s, the resort is undergoing nearly $40 million in improvements. Formerly owned by the Archdiocese of Detroit as Saint John’s Provincial Seminary from 1948 to 1988, the property was transformed in the 1990s into a center for youth and families before it was redeveloped into a hotel and conference center in the 2000s. The archdiocese sold the property to the Pulte family in 2021, which led to its current transformation, says Fadi Sibani, director of sales and marketing.

A new 6,200-square-foot Garden Pavilion is on schedule to open in the first quarter of 2023.

“We’ll be able to use it all season because it’s surrounded by Nana glass walls,” Sibani says. “These glass walls basically close and completely open the space up. It’s just an amazing space … [it] overlooks the golf course and is surrounded by gardens.”

The historic seminary, which had not been used in more than 10 years, is being converted into a 17,000-square-foot ballroom with space for up to 2,000 people. The new Monarch Ballroom is slated to open in fall 2023.

“We’re planning on doing incredible concerts out there, too,” Sibani says. “We’re talking about how we can create that kind of fun for the community.”

Two other ballrooms—The Mosaic and The Provincial—have also been updated, and another venue, the Atrium, is getting an extensive update early next year.

In the second quarter of 2023, the new Grotto wine bar should be completed. “It used to be a meeting room called the Grotto, it has beautiful arched ceilings,” Sibani says. “There will be artwork on the

walls, a nice bar in the middle, and the rest of the entire space is casual seating—no tables, all couches, soft furniture with coffee tables and end tables.”

The resort’s old municipal golf course will be replaced with a championship 18-hole layout under the direction of Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design of Holland. It’s planned to debut summer 2023. “We will be able to take on some of the big tournaments that take place in Michigan that we weren’t able to do before,” he says.

In addition to the new 7,007-yard Cardinal course, the golf complex will feature a par-3 course with replicas of famous greens and a 1.5-acre natural bent grass course.

“There will be a nice patio with an outdoor kitchen, which we have never had before,” Sibani notes.

In fall 2023, a spa is expected to open as well—and, the resort is likely to add a second tower of guest rooms that will more than double its current 118 rooms with a target completion date in 2025.

“The best way to describe it is we’re taking a classic property that’s being reimagined,” Sibani says. “If you were to look around southeast Michigan, this type of property does not exist, and now we’re just elevating those services.”

saintjohnsresort.com

Saint John’s Resort rebranding ceremony earlier this year

Binder Park Zoo

FORBES’ DETROIT VENUES UNDERGO REBRANDING

» DETROIT’S GEM THEATRE, Colony Club, and Elwood Bar & Grill are all owned by the Forbes family. Formerly represented as independent entities with their own websites, the three venues are now operating under Forbes Hospitality.

“There were two reasons for the rebrand to Forbes Hospitality,” says Jake Forbes, general manager of Forbes Hospitality. “The first is that we own and operate three unique venues in Detroit, but many of our customers did not know that these venues operated under one umbrella. The second reason is that we, as a family, have been in the hospitality business since 1989 and want to promote the company as a family business, as we take great pride in having been operating in Detroit for over 30 years.”

Each venue has also seen recent updates that range from fresh paint to new furniture.

PHOTO: BUREAU DETROIT

Africa Safari meeting spaces with animal visits and Skylark Ridge zip lines Old-school elegance restored to this 19th century ballroom

Wagner Ballroom

Kellogg Manor House

SOUTHWELL PROMOTED AT SHANTY CREEK

Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire promoted Lindsey Southwell to director of marketing. Southwell joined the resort in 2002. She also serves as vice president of the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce and is a board member for Destination Bellaire and the White Pine Stampede Nordic Race.

TANNER RETURNS TO GRAND RAPIDS

AHC Hospitality named Adam Tanner assistant vice president of food and beverage. He will oversee the restaurant and catering programs of AHC Hospitality’s Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. As a Grand Rapids native, he has more than 25 years of experience in hospitality.

HOTCHKISS TAKES NEW POSITION IN PETOSKEY

Mary Chris Hotchkiss, CMP, is the new group sales director at the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau. Previously with the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hotchkiss brings more than 25 years of industry experience to her current position. She will play a key role in expanding sales and marketing efforts focused on driving destination group meetings to the Petoskey region.

MSAE RECOGNIZES DENYER

Debbie Denyer, a group sales specialist at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, received the Michigan Society of Association Executives’ (MSAE) Association Industry Supplier of the Year Award for 2022. The recognition is presented to an MSAE partner who has shown exemplary service and support to their association clientele, MSAE, and the association sector.

A Grand Conference on Mackinac Island

The Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) Annual Educational Conference was held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island Sept. 25-27. The conference provided an opportunity for CEOs and staff of Michigan’s destination marketing organizations to gather and learn information specific to their sector of the tourism industry. About 90% of MACVB members attended this year.

1. Brad Barnett, Christie Bierlein 2. Matt Sowash 3. Amy VanLoon 4. Jaime Kamps-Duac, Brad Barnett 5. Paul Beachnau 6. Holly Laurencelle, Tim Hygh 7. Trevor Tkach 8. Jess Boldt, Olivia Pageau

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

A True-Blue Ambassador

Terra Damchuk might be Michigan Thumbcoast’s No. 1 fan.

BY KATHY GIBBONS

As director of sales for Discover the Blue Michigan’s Thumbcoast, Terra Damchuk is responsible for promoting the area and its 140 miles of shoreline. But she is also passionate about what the area has to offer beyond its waterfront location.

M+E: What’s the best thing about your job?

TD: One day I’ll be helping a client organize their board meeting with small teambuilding exercises, the next day I’ll be working with a client of 800 planning their citywide event. Some of these tasks include multiple off-site activities such as the Huron Lady Cruise, or an event at Michigan’s only Challenger Learning Center where they get to work hands-on to compete and learn what it takes to launch into space. Every day is different.

M+E: What do you enjoy most about promoting the Blue Water Area?

TD: Our beautiful side of the state can be underestimated until people discover it for themselves. I love giving site tours at the Blue Water Convention Center and seeing people witness firsthand a freighter going by during our walk-through. … It appears you can almost reach out and touch the freighter, it’s so close. I love driving downtown at night showing planners our beautiful downtown lit up with string lights. I love that we can offer meetings and event planners off-site options for their attendees to explore our downtown on their own for dinner. I am still in awe … of the view from the top of Michigan’s oldest working lighthouse, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.

M+E: What are the biggest opportunities for convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) right now?

TD: People are excited to be out and about again, whether it’s a conference or event or just a family vacation. The CVB world is looking bright, and I am lucky to be part of the CVB community.

PHOTO: BRAD ZIEGLAR

YOUR GETAWAY. REIMAGINED.

Escape the world for a while and enjoy endless action and indulgence. Celebrate your winning moments. Taste the good life. Lounge around in plush accommodations. And do it all over again tomorrow. It’s all here at Michigan’s most exciting destination

5 REASONS TO HOLD YOUR NEXT MEETING ON MACKINAC ISLAND

More than 100,000 square-feet of meeting rooms for events big or small. Support from professionally trained staff so you don’t have to sweat the details.

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

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

Historic and unique places to stay, from world-class resorts and one-of-akind hotels to quaint cottages, luxury condos and Victorian B&Bs.