Meetings 2016

Meetings ee MyNorth.com/MeetingsNorth

IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR UP NORTH MEETING GREAT • 2016

7 FOR MEETINGS!

OFF-THE-RADAR VENUES

Smart Ideas,

19

Better Meetings EXTRAORDINARY SPEAKERS FOR KEYNOTES

LATEST UPGRADES AT 13 MEETING RESORTS 6 AFFORDABLE SWAG BAG GOODIES! 12 DÉCOR TIPS FROM A PRO 2016 MYNORTH MEETING COVER.indd 1

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Dear Meetings and Events Planner, As you plan the location and venue of your upcoming events, I would like to invite you to consider Mission Point Resort. As I enter my fifth season on the island, I am tremendously excited with the momentum we have built at the resort, and would be delighted if you were a part of it.

Building on our outstanding east waterfront location and relaxed, welcoming ambiance, we are a great choice for groups of all sizes. Mission Point offers a wide range of guest rooms and suites, and a large variety of flexible meeting and event space including a 35,000 square foot Conference Center. With an intense and growing focus on locally sourced foods, Mission Point offers excellent and creative choices for catered dinners in our event spaces, or at our three restaurants: Chianti (Italian), Round Island Bar and Grill (American pub fare) and Bistro on the Greens (eclectic American bistro, al fresco). For free time, Mission Point Resort has a large variety of onsite activities and amenities, including bike rental, tennis, swimming pool, spa, movies, kid’s arcade, and lawn games.

Please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Group Sales team at 800-833-5538 to further assist you. I hope to see you on the morning side of the island!

With kind regards, Bradley McCallum General Manager 906-847-3002

The Perfect Northern Michigan Choice For Groups And Events 800-833-5538 | www.missionpoint.com | info@missionpoint.com

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Editor’s Note SHELBY SOBERALSKI

Inspired to Dream and Do A powerful place gives rise to powerful ideas.

By Jeff Smith

As I was putting together the list of Northern Michigan people who make themselves available for keynote speaking engagements (page 5), I couldn’t help but be struck by the talent that has landed in this small, rural area that lies several hours’ drive from the nearest major megalopolis.

One by one I added their names and bio-lines to the list. Linda Lindquist-Bishop, who grew up sailing on Lake Leelanau and went on to compete on the first all-women team to defend the America’s Cup. Jack Segal, who was a top advisor to NATO military commanders regarding Afghanistan. Doug Stanton, a New York Times best-selling author and founder of the National Writers Series. Hans Van Sumeren, who has helped build one of the nation’s foremost freshwater study institutes at Northwestern Michigan College. Carl Ganter, who co-founded an innovative water advocacy group that has caught the ear of leaders at the Davos Economic Forum and the United Nations. Nearly all of the people I just mentioned also grew up here.

orchard and vineyard, the hundreds of inland lakes, the clear rivers that trace wandering lines across our landscape.

Our landscape inspires people to follow their dreams, to do great things, so it is only natural that Northern Michigan is a potent place to gather and share ideas, convene meetings and hold conferences. Yes, this place inspires creativity, it inspires energy, it inspires activity, it inspires connections—each is a pillar for a successful meeting.

Peruse the 2016 edition of Meetings North to find upgrades at a dozen conference venues, room decor advice from a top designer, off-the-radar venue recommendations from event planner Allison Beers, and, of course, that list of 19 speakers who are ready to inspire your group to great things.

Jeff Smith is editor of Meetings North. smith@traversemagazine.com

I am a believer in the power of place, and Northern Michigan is a powerful place: The Great Lake shore, the rolling hills of forest,

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Of fish, ponds & meetings.

You’ve heard the adage about the little fish and the big pond.

You probably haven’t thought about it when planning a small meeting. We have.

Small meetings are swallowed up when a big meeting lurks nearby. Service suffers. So does productivity.

We offer meeting facilites designed exclusively for small groups. They are luxuriously furnished and fully equipped.

The service sparkles and the food is memorable.

The beach, spa and golf are unmatched.

Come cast about. You’ll be hooked!

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231 334 5000 2016 MYNORTH MEETINGS.indd 2

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Meetings mynorth.com/meetings

2016 • Volume 12, Number 1

A MyNorth Media Publication PRESIDENT/ EDITOR IN CHIEF

VICE PRESIDENT EDITORIAL/EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR WEB EDITOR WEB WRITER PROOFREADERS

ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

1 Editor’s Note

Deborah Wyatt Fellows

DEBWF@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Inspired to Dream and Do. Jeff Smith

5 Enliven your Keynote

SMITH@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Elizabeth Edwards

LISSA@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Tap into Northern Michigan’s talent pool to find world-class presenters who live near your meeting.

Courtney Jerome

COURTNEY@MYNORTH.COM

8 Big Changes at Big Venues

Carley Simpson

CSIMPSON@MYNORTH.COM

Elizabeth Aseritis Caroline Dahlquist

Northern resorts keep setting the bar higher when it comes to sumptuous, state-of-the-art meeting spaces.

11 Make Your Décor Work for You

Nicole Steffen

NSTEFFEN@MYNORTH.COM

Theresa Burau-Baehr

THERESA@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Tips for setting the stage for your event.

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Gail Snable

GSNABLE@MYNORTH.COM

GRAPHIC DESIGNER WEB DIRECTOR, CLIENT SALES

15 Locally Made for the Goodie Bag

Rachel Dorie

RDORIE@MYNORTH.COM

Fun Up North gifts for your guests.

Roger Lamb

ROGER@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

17 Off-the-Radar Spaces with Allison Beers

DIRECTOR, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Derek Graham

DEREK@MYNORTH.COM

MEDIA PROJECT COORDINATOR VIDEOGRAPHER

SALES DIRECTOR

Table of Contents

Unexpected and off-the-radar spaces for hosting memorable meetings.

Dana Allen

20 Maps and Advertiser Index

DANA@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Kris Riley

KRILEY@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Marc McKellar

MMCKELLAR@MYNORTH.COM

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jim Driver JDRIVER@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Ann Gatrell ANNG@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Lisa Gillespie Faulkner LGILLESPIE@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Jeff Hale JHALE@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Jill Hayes JHAYES@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Cyndi Ludka LUDKA@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Candace Morse CMORSE@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM Drew Warner DREW@MYNORTH.COM Ben Fellows BENFELLOWS@MYNORTH.COM

CIRCULATION FULFILLMENT MANAGER

TICKETING MANAGER TICKETING COORDINATOR

COVER IMAGE: MISSION POINT

OFFICE MANAGER

CONTROLLER

Rachel North

RNORTH@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Jodi G. Simpson

JSIMPSON@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Rob DiClemente

RDICLEMENTE@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Marilyn Jones

MJONES@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

Libby Stallman

LIBBY@MYNORTH.COM

Kirstin Gorney

KIRSTIN@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

FROM THE PUBLISHER OF

Editorial & Advertising Offices

125 Park St., Suite 155, Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 231.941.8174 Fax: 231.941.8391 E-mail: x2k9g@traversemagazine.com © 2016 Prism Publications.

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TAYLOR BROWN

MARKETING DIRECTOR

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CONNECTION A CONFERENCE CALL CAN ’T PROVIDE Nature surrounds you in this stress-free setting. Miles removed from the pressures of the office, this is your place of productivity. A scenic sanctuary of team bonding, big ideas, and breakthroughs. Better business happens here.

MAKE IT YOUR MOMENT.

The Crystal Center is northern Michigan’s only IACC four-season conference facility. With our recently updated Wi-Fi, inspiring furniture and flexible seating for up to 350 people, it’s easy to stay connected and let your productivity flourish. Our event planners will coordinate everything, from on-site catering to setting up the presentation. Afterwards, make yourself at home on the Mountain – we’ve got over 240 lodging rooms, delicious dining and endless activities on-site. Make it a meeting to remember at Crystal Mountain.

C RYS TA L M O U N TA I N .CO M

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Local Speakers Linda Lindquist-Bishop, Leadership Consultant

Nathan Havey, Corporate Culture Advisor

Prize winning off-shore yacht racing professional and former publisher of Yachting Magazine, Linda shares sailing, aviation and other adventure stories as the backdrop for teaching change, leadership and developing high-performing individuals and teams. linda@4risingtide.org

Nathan Havey’s mission is to create a “new business as usual” in which leaders work for a purpose beyond profit, reject zero-sum thinking and truly care for the people they lead—and achieve even greater success along the way. nathan.havey@gmail.com.

Jack Segal, Former NATO advisor

Hagerty Insurance has evolved from a small niche insurance business that focused on classic cars and boats and to the industry’s top performer and innovator in that market space. Various topic experts. Contact Shelli DiFranco. mdifranco@hagerty.com.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF LINDA LINDQUEST-BISHOP

Jack Segal made 40 trips to Afghanistan from 2002 to 2010 as Chief Political Advisor to NATO’s operational commander. He also contributed to the strategic assessments of the Afghanistan operation for NATO and the president. jsegal_kpuschel@yahoo.com.

Angie Morgan, Founder, Lead Star A 20-year leadership expert, Angie Morgan founded Lead Star to help professionals achieve greater success by implementing leadership practices into their work routines. Themes include leadership, change and resilience. amorgan@leadstar.us.

Jim MacInnes, CEO, Crystal Mountain Resort

Enliven your Keynote Tap into Northern Michigan’s talent pool to find world-class presenters who live near your meeting.

BY JEFF SMITH

As CEO of Crystal Mountain, Jim MacInnes brings keen insight into the regional tourism industry, but he’s also a nuclear power engineer who is one of Michigan’s leading voices in renewable and alternative energy. jmacInnes@crystalmountain.com.

Jerry Dennis, Author One of Michigan’s most beloved and respected authors, Jerry Dennis is an eloquent proponent and defender of the Great Lakes, river health and the northern life. jcdennis@charter.net.

Ray Minervini, President, Minervini Group Led by a clear vision of the possibilities, Ray Minervini convinced the Traverse City community to support his ideas for renovating a massive 1800’s mental hospital into a gorgeous community with housing, shops, offices and parkland. ray@thevillagetc.com.

Groundwork Center for Sustainable Communities Groundwork Center is one of Michigan’s leading voices on innovative solutions for 21st century communities. Topic specialists in smart growth, water quality, transportation, local foods and farm-to-school food programs. hans@groundworkcenter.org.

Evan Smith, CEO, Cherry Capital Foods A thought leader in the local foods movement and CEO of one of the nation’s most innovative food distribution companies, Cherry Capital Foods, which helps small farmers do business with large clients. evan@cherrycapitalfoods.com.

Doug Stanton, Best-selling Author

New York Times best-selling author of Horse Soldiers and In Harm’s Way, Doug Stanton is also the co-founder of the National Writers Series, one of the most acclaimed author speaking series in the nation. dougstanton1@gmail.com.

Benjamin Marentette As Traverse City clerk, Benjamin Marentette runs the operations for one of America’s most vibrant and successful small towns. Hear the backstory on how the town’s magic happens. bmarente@traversecitymi.gov.

Hagerty Insurance Executives

Paul Britten, CEO, Britten Banners Renowned as a dynamic, change-driven corporate leader, Paul Britten has expanded his small screen-printing company into a national, multi-faceted brand. He enjoys speaking about branding, company culture and entrepreneurship. pbritten@brittenbanners.com.

Todd Sanders, Leadership Expert Sanders has taken his experience as a military strategist and used it to help upper- and mid-level managers develop skills and strategies for success. He enjoys talking about leadership, creativity, innovation and veterans. todd@buildleadersnow.com.

Tony Anderson, General Manager, Cherryland Electric Cooperative Tony Anderson has worked extensively with under-served youth in physical fitness and character building. His work is informed by his own experience growing up without a father and having run 34 marathons (and counting!). marathon4kids@gmail.

Wendy Steele CEO of Generosity Matters/Courageous Thinking Wendy Steele, leveraged her experience as an inventor and entrepreneur and applied it to a heartfelt belief that generosity can shape a better life for others and ourselves. Hear her inspiring message. wsteele@generosity-matters.com.

Allison Beers, Owner, Events North Widely regarded as one of Michigan’s top event planners, Allison Beers shares her expertise as a keynote speaker, addressing business etiquette and successful conference planning. allison@eventsnorth.com.

Carl Ganter, Co-Founder, Circle of Blue Carl Ganter co-founded Circle of Blue, one of the world’s most innovative and influential clean water advocacy organizations.

He has addressed the United Nations and the Davos Economic Forum. jcarl@circleofblue.org

Hans Van Sumeren, Director, Freshwater Institute Director of one of the nation’s leading college programs devoted to freshwater studies, Hans can speak to a wide range of water issues, including water-oriented careers, ecology, the future of underwater ROVs, and the Great Lakes. hvansumeren@nmc.edu.

Jeff Smith is editor of Meetings North. smith@traversemagazine.com

meetingsnorth

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GOLF SPA SHOP DINE MEET 2016 MYNORTH MEETINGS.indd 6

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GET UP AND GO Expansive views and limitless venues. The inspiration of a Northern Michigan meeting is more than a vineyard board room, private beach reception, or group sail at sunset. More than renowned service or distinct personalization.

It’s having all those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at GrandTraverseResort.com/Meetings.

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

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Resourt Updates MISSION POINT

GRAND HOTEL

Big Changes at Big Venues

Northern resorts keep setting the bar higher when it comes to sumptuous, state-of-the-art meeting spaces. Here’s what’s new at a dozen destinations around the region:

BY EMILY BINGHAM

The Homestead: This four-season resort, spa and ski hill is located right in the heart of scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with Lake Michigan, the Crystal River, and the villages of Glen Arbor and Leland just steps away for great team-building and relaxation opportunities. The focus here is on smaller groups—as few as a handful of people or up to 180. Major upgrades to the furniture, fixtures and technology in spring 2016 ensure a world-class experience. 1 Wood Ridge Rd., Glen Arbor, 231.334.5000, thehomesteadresort.com.

Crystal Mountain: Set in beautiful Benzie County, this fourseason resort has been praised as one of the finest conference spots in the Midwest.

This year Crystal Mountain will see a 31,000-square-foot expansion to its Inn at the Mountain, including a lobby bar, indoor market, 25 new guest rooms and a rooftop terrace for intimate gatherings. The Crystal Center, with room for up to 350 attendees, continues to be an exemplary meeting spot for larger groups and corporate events.

Unwind on the golf courses, ski hills, hiking trails, or in the 18,500-square-foot,

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LEED-certified Crystal Spa. 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr., Thompsonville, 855.995. 5146, crystalmountain.com.

Grand Traverse Resort: At 17 stories tall, the Grand Traverse Resort’s striking glass tower is the tallest building in Northern Michigan, and a beacon of luxury and exemplary service. A recent $7 million total renovation of the tower’s guest rooms further position the resort as a national destination for high-profile clients.

Grand Traverse boasts more than 86,500 square feet of meeting space, accommodating small groups on up to conferences with more than 2,000 attendees. Three championship courses, a 7,000-square-foot spa, and customized team-building events round out the experience. 100 Grand Traverse Resort Blvd., Acme, 800.236.1577, grandtraverseresort.com.

Evergreen Resort: This Cadillac resort is sporting a fresh face in 2016, with significant updates and upgrades to nearly every room at the resort—from the lobby, which boasts new furniture, tile, computers and more, to the down-to-thestuds renovation of more than half the guest

rooms. Space for up to 200 convention or corporate retreat guests, plus plenty of ways to unwind—the resort sits on 350 acres of woodland, right next to more than a half-million acres of Manistee National Forest. 7880 Mackinaw Trail, Cadillac, 800.634.7302, evergreenresortmi.com.

Shanty Creek: Planning a tech-heavy event? Upgrades to the already-impressive WiFi at this four-season resort’s Lakeview Hotel and Conference Center means seamless connectivity without hiccups. Other recent improvements include an expanded menu of team-building activities, more shopping and dining on the property, and an updated online reservation system that allows attendees to access information for their event. More than 36,000 square feet of flexible event space, a seasoned event staff, and recreation opportunities on the slopes, links and nearby Torch Lake. 5780 Shanty Creek Rd., Bellaire, 800.678.4111, shantycreek.com.

Grand Hotel: This iconic Victorian-era resort perched on a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac

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Resourt Updates PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE INN AT BAY HARBOR

sets an elegant backdrop for memorable meetings. The two-story, 16,000-square-foot Woodfill Conference Center has space for up to 800 attendees, with smaller rooms nearby for breakout sessions or smaller groups. New for 2016: Sushi Grand, a made-to-order sushi restaurant next to the hotel’s Gate House; an upgraded business center with state-of-theart facilities; 400 new meeting-room chairs for more comfortable conferences, and more.

After-work activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, bicycle trips, and and golf at the Grand’s 18-hole Jewel course, with nine holes near the water and nine in the woods. 286 Grand Ave., Mackinac Island, 800.334.7263, grandhotel.com.

Mission Point: This landmark on the southeast shore of Mackinac Island is in the middle of a threeyear master plan for ongoing improvements ranging from updated guest rooms to new gardens and a full-service on-site spa. These are, of course, icing on the cake at this historic resort, which boasts frontage right on the Straits and more than 38,000 square feet of extensive, flexible conference space.

Your group might enjoy a private grounds tour of the resort’s new gardens, including the Apothecary Garden and Cocktail Garden, new as of last season. 6633 Main St., Mackinac Island, 800.833.7711, missionpoint.com Park Place Hotel: A beacon of hospitality since 1930, this historic T.C. landmark is seeing big changes this year as it upgrades the space in its 10-story tower to include premium guest rooms, suites and a hospitality room. The Park Place can’t be beat when it comes to location, putting your guests within walking distance of shopping, dining, brew pubs, the beach, entertainment, and tons more. Nine meeting rooms totaling more than 13,000

square feet of functional space, room for up to 500 attendees, a broad range of catering options, and million-dollar views of the bay from the 10th story Beacon Lounge. 300 E. State St., Traverse City, 231.946.5000, park-place-hotel.com.

Odawa Casino & Resort: Conferences at this Petoskey casino and resort can be both professional and laidback—striking a balance that allows for maximum creativity and productivity. Six banquet rooms ensure comfortable accommodations for groups of all sizes, from the Superior Room, suitable for up to 14 people, all the way to Ovation Hall, with space for 1,000 (or 600 seated banquet style). When it’s time to let loose, hit up the slots or table games, or arrange a private motor coach tour of the region, which serves up beauty in spades. 1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, 800.585.3737, odawacasino.com.

Little River Casino Resort: Whether your group totals just 10 guests or as many as 1,400, there’s space for your event and plenty of ways to unwind at this resort just a short distance from Lake Michigan. After burning through each day’s agenda, your guests can hit up the fullservice casino with five slot rooms and table games like roulette, blackjack, and Texas Hold ’Em, catch live music in the 1,600-seat Event Center, head out for a hike at nearby C.S. Mott Nature Preserve, or head into downtown Manistee for shopping, dining or unwinding on the beach. 2700 Orchard Hwy., Manistee, 888.568.2244, lrcr.com.

Boyne Mountain: This four-season Boyne Falls resort has it all: exemplary skiing and outstanding golf, horseback trail rides, sleigh rides, disc golf, a zipline adventure course, paintball,

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BOYNE HIGHLANDS

kayaking and canoeing, the state’s largest indoor waterpark, and the award-winning Solace Spa. When playtime’s over and you’re ready to gather your crew, there’s more than 37,000 square feet of event space, plus freshly upgraded AV equipment as of June 2016. 1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls, 855.688.7024, boyne.com.

Boyne Highlands: The rolling hills surrounding Harbor Springs sets a stunning scene any time of year, and much of the meeting space at this resort offers spectacular views of that beauty.

Spend a half day gettin’ some hard work done, then head outdoors to golf, ski, or make some memories on a group outing: there’s a zipline course, scenic chairlift rides, a complementary nine-hole golf course, and more. Event space for up to 600 attendees; short drive to picturesque Harbor Springs.

600 Boyne Highlands Dr., Harbor Springs, 855.688.7022, boynehighlands.com.

Inn at Bay Harbor: Sophisticated doesn’t have to mean stuffy, and this premier golf resort, recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the world’s 500 best hotels, is both an elegant and inviting destination for your team. Designed in the spirit of romantic turn-of-the-century lakeside hotels, the inn offers 6,600 square feet of meeting space, a newly remodeled lobby with cozy alcoves for intimate chats, plus 45 holes of award-winning golf, a full-service spa, and more, all set against breathtaking Lake Michigan views. 3600 Village Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor, 855.688.7023, innatbayharbor.com.

Emily Bingham is a writer living in Ann Arbor.

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Park Place Hotel

Park Place Hotel

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Decor Tips

Make Your Décor Work for You

You’ve got your location picked, your dates set, your agenda planned—but what about décor? Small details can make a big impact, says Kate Walski, owner of Traverse City–based event design company Sweet Themes (sweetthemesmi.com). Here, she breaks down her best tips for setting the stage for your event: TEXT BY EMILY BINGHAM || PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATE WALSKI

First, Walski says, start with these three steps: 1. Set a budget.

Whether you’re hiring out the décor or going the DIY route, having a budget in mind is the first place to start. It’s the single best way to determine where to get the most bang for your buck, Walski says—especially if you’re trying to keep décor expenses down.

2. Target your audience.

Who’s attending your event and what message are you trying to send them? According to Walski, these two key components can help you figure out everything from color palettes to themes—which will do far more than just liven up the meeting space. “Décor is not just pretty,” she says. “These are tools that can be used as a sales tactic or to market your brand.”

3. Consider what’s already been done.

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel or simply re-create what you did last year, Walski says. “Consider what your guests have seen before,” she says, then try a different approach to keep things fresh, unique and memorable. 

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WEDDINGS • GRADUATIONS • CORPORATE & FAMILY EVENTS

From cocktails to dessert, from tableware to tents, let us take care of every detail so that your gathering is fun and stress-free for you and your guests.

Please contact Patty Binette: 989.705.2010 www.otsegograndeventcenter.com

GATHER IN THE HEART OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN 13 VENUES, UP TO 800 ATTENDEES AT SELECT LOCATIONS. FIND YOUR MEETING HERE: CADILLACMICHIGAN.COM

For additional details or a proposal to host your event or conference, please call us at 1-800-225-2537, or e-mail to visit@cadillacmichigan.com

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(800) 22-LAKESan.com CadillacMichig

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Decor Tips

Then, determine whether you’re looking to save or splurge.

Where to save:

Where to splurge:

Linens: “You can do some really great linens for not a lot of money,” Walski says. Linens pull things together, and floor-length linens in particular can add a luxe feel without a lot of expense. “People all of a sudden will think, ‘OK, this isn’t the same old corporate function,” she says.

Lounge furniture: Think beyond the typical tables and chairs—go the extra step by adding lounge furniture, which gives attendees spots to relax and have more casual conversations. “Guests love lounge furniture,” Walski says. “It gives the room a more intimate atmosphere.”

Centerpieces: “Centerpieces don’t have to be really elaborate,” Walski says—nor do they need to be floral, which can sometimes feel too femme for certain events.

Specialty furniture: Walski tells us that long, communal cocktail tables are hip and hot right now, as are “ghost chairs”—clear plastic chairs as an alternative to traditional cross-back event chairs. The bottom line: The furniture itself can make a statement, so if your budget allows, look for eye-catching pieces that will make your event stand out.

Lighting: “You can change the mood of the room with just a little bit of lighting,” Walski says. Nix the sterile fluorescent lights in favor of something warmer or smartly placed uplighting.

Focal point: A statement piece, whether it be a cool bar, piece of art, or even a red-carpet entrance, will wow your guests and give them something to talk about. “It doesn’t change the whole room, but it makes a statement right away and sets the tone,” Walski says.

Themes: Doing a sophisticated twist on a theme can be a fun alternative to standard corporate function décor. But Walski warns against getting too “novelty” on your guests. She gives the example of a James Bond–themed event: “It wasn’t James Bond posters or in-your-face props everywhere; it was the kind of party James Bond would be at,” she says. If you know your audience and keep it tasteful, a themed event can leave a lasting impression.

Lighting: Just as lighting can be a way to save, it can also be a way to splurge. Walski likes “go-go lights,” which shine a particular pattern, image or logo onto a wall or other surface.

Tabletop details: Even something as tiny as a napkin ring gives you a chance to up the elegance of your event. Make your event extra special by considering everything from the chargers to the flatware (Walski says gold flatware is a particularly sophisticated alternative to traditional silverware), and your guests will no doubt notice.

Emily Bingham is a writer living in Ann Arbor. meetingsnorth

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resorts & spas | unique meeting venues | historic hotels | meeting planner assistance four-season adventure sports | championship golf | boutique shopping art galleries | 40+ wineries & tasting rooms | craft breweries

TraverseCity.com | (800) 940-1120

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Goodie Bags

Locally Made for the

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Goodie Bag

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By Jeff Smith

1. Benjamin Twiggs Dark Chocolate-Covered Dried Cherries Will be devoured quickly, but memorably, 8 ounces, $8.50.

800.438.9444, benjamintwiggs.com.

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2. M.22 Magnet A ribbon of asphalt to love. Remind your peeps of their time Up North, $6.

231.360.9090, m22.com.

3. Traverse Bay Farms Cherry Salsa

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Perfect balance of hot, sweet, spicy. $6.95, 16-ounce jar.

877.746.7477, traversebayfarms.com.

4. MyNorth Beanie Love that little compass point! Acrylic with soft liner layer, $23.95.

800.678.3416, mynorth.com.

5. Michigan Nightlife Koozie

5

Keep it warm. Keep it cold. Keep it Michigan.

Collapsible neoprene, for 12-ounce can, $4.

513.444.4581, michigan-nightlife.com.

6. Great Lakes Proud Sticker

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No place has those lakes like we do. Help your attendees feel it! $5.

231.412.0682, greatlakesproud.com.

Jeff Smith is editor of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine and MyNorth Meetings. smith@traversemagazine.com

DAVID WEIDNER

meetingsnorth

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Introducing the newly restored Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park

planning

Located just one mile from downtown Traverse City, this unique meeting space provides a one-of-a-kind location for your corporate meeting unlike any other business setting. Inspire your attendees and allow the barn’s historic and rustic charm to create an extraordinary backdrop to your next event.

Photo by Todd Z courtesy of Environment Architects

a meeting in Northern Michigan?

Make the meeting more memorable.

Tuck a complimentary Vacation Guide into your guests’ welcome bag or hotel room.

Contact Jodi Simpson to request copies: 231-941-5976, jsimpson@traversemagazine.com

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1500 Red Drive • Traverse City, MI 49684 231.342.1526 historicbarnspark.com

3/8/16 11:33 AM

Favorite Offsite Venues PHOTO COURTESY OF SUITE AT KIRKBRIDE HALL

SUITE AT KIRKBRIDE HALL

Off-the-Radar Spaces with Allison Beers

The lauded local event planner Allison Beers, founder of Events North (eventsnorth.com), shares her favorite unexpected and off-the-radar spaces for hosting memorable meetings.

Text by Emily Bingham

Corner Loft

“I love the Corner Loft for the bright, open space, sophisticated design and hot-spot location right downtown,” Beers says. This hip location is at once cozy and airy, with state-of-the-art AV and sound equipment (or room for a DJ or live band, if you choose), plus room for up to 130 guests.

201 E. Front St., Traverse City, 231.883.9367, cornerlofttc.com.

City Opera House

T.C.’s historic opera house, which first opened its doors in 1892, offers a sophisticated setting for events of all sizes right in the heart of downtown. Says Beers: “The City Opera House will never go out of style.” Rental includes use of the lobby, theater and green room, an on-site event manager, event set-up, liquor license, and more. With space for less than 100 guests all the way up to 650.

106 E. Front St., Traverse City, 231.941.8082, cityoperahouse.org.

Kirkbride Hall

This new event space is a former chapel in the heart of Building 50, part of a sprawling 19th-century asylum featuring immaculate Victorian-Italianate architectural detail. Thirty-foot ceilings and stained-glass windows make it a dramatic space to hold events that include up to 150 seated reception guests. It’s also located at the Grand Traverse Commons, Traverse City’s 480-acre “Central Park,” featuring hiking and biking trails, an arboretum, the Botanic Gardens, and more. “I love this space for the beauty and functionality,” Beers says. “It’s versatile to fit the needs of many meetings and events.”

700 Cottageview Dr., Suite 200, Traverse City, 231.941.1961, kirkbridehall.com.

Suite at Kirkbride Hall

Beers loves this dramatic 2,700-square-foot, two-story condominium in the 1885-built chapel of Building 50 for laid-back, luxurious leadership or board retreats. A private-stop elevator delivers you and your crew to the fully furnished space, where details like historic exposed brick and open ceilings make for a hip yet cozy vibe. Main level has two queen bedrooms and a king bedroom; loft has two twin beds and a queen sleeper sofa.

700 Cottageview Dr., Suite 200, Traverse City, 231.941.1961, kirkbridehall.com.  meetingsnorth

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MYNORTHTICKETS.COM BELIEVES

THAT COMMUNITIES MAKE GREAT HOSTS. THAT SHORT MEETINGS MEAN LONGER RELATIONSHIPS. AND THAT TICKETS TAKE GROUPS OUTSIDE THE BOX.

LOCAL TICKETS. ONE PLACE.

800.836.0717

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Favorite Offsite Venues

ECCO

Beers digs this space for its “‘big city–chic feel”—and she’s not alone. Readers of Michigan Meetings + Events magazine crowned ECCO with the award for Best Event Space of the Year in 2014. The open floor plan sprawls out over 5,500 square feet, allowing you to customize to your heart’s content. Elegant and adaptable, with room for up to 319 guests.

121 E. Front St., Traverse City, 231.714.4014, eccotc.com.

Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park

This newly restored historic barn, nestled in the hills at the gorgeous Grand Traverse Commons (a historic hospital complex and arboretum), offers all the charm of the rural North yet is located just a few minutes from downtown T.C. With modern amenities (like heating and A/C for year-round event planning), it’s “rustic without being ‘rustic,’” as Beers puts it. Room for up to 200 people for a seated reception; 399 for a standing cocktail reception.

1500 Red Dr., Traverse City, 231.342.1526, historicbarnspark.com.

Botanic Gardens

For smaller retreats and an outdoorsy backdrop, Beers recommends Traverse City’s Botanic Gardens, comprising 25 acres in Historic Barns Park. The bright, beautiful meeting room in the newly renovated Visitor Center—housed in a century-old granary—is available year-round to host special events, and offers space for a maximum of 74 guests (50–55 with tables and chairs). During warmer months, move breakout groups to the adjoining pavilion or stretch your legs with a team hike on the extensive trail system just steps away.

1490 Red Dr., Traverse City, 231.935.4077, thebotanicgarden.org.

Emily Bingham is a writer living in Ann Arbor.

CATHEDRAL BARN AT HISTORIC BARNS PARK THE COMPASS POINTS HERE

meetingsnorth

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Map N Stuff

NORTHERN MICHIGAN AREA AIRPORTS

Pictured Rocks NL

Cherry Capital Airport

231.947.2250; tvcairport.com AIRLINES: Delta, United, American Airlines

Christmas Munising

Sault Ste. Marie

DAILY FLIGHTS TO:

Chicago, Detroit Seasonal service: Atlanta, Denver, LaGuardia, Newark, Indianapolis, Cleveland CAR RENTALS: Avis (231.946.1222), Budget (231.947.3883), Enterprise (231.922-2800), Hertz (231.946.7051), National/Alamo (231.947.1560)

Brimley

Newberry

75

Hessel Manistique

2 Mackinac Island

Drummond

Island Regional Airport Pellston

St. Ignace

LAKE HURON 231.539.8441; pellstonairport.com

Gladstone

AIRLINES:

Escanaba

LAKE MICHIGAN

Cheboygan

PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT

MAP AREA

Pellston

Avis (231.539.8302), Hertz (231.539.8404), Mackinaw Shuttle (231.539.7005)

Petoskey

Manistee County Blacker Airport

Charlevoix GRAND TRAVERSE BAY Boyne City

231.723.4351; flymanistee.com AIRLINES: PublicCharters/North Country Sky

Northport

NUMBER OF DAILY FLIGHTS TO:

Peshawbestown

131

Service to Chicago Midway

Gaylord

Suttons Bay

75

Acme

Manistee

MANISTEE COUNTY BLACKER AIRPORT

CAR RENTALS/TRANSPORTATION: Lewiston

Traverse City 31

Detroit: 2-4 daily (varies seasonally) CAR RENTALS/TRANSPORTATION:

Harbor Springs

Mt. Pleasant

Delta Connections

NUMBER OF DAILY FLIGHTS TO:

CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT-TVC

Mowry Rental (231.723.4351)

Kalkaska Grayling

Houghton Lake

Cadillac

Ludington

8ADVERTISER DIRECTORY Boyne Resorts

Corner Loft

Kirkbride Hall

Park Place Hotel

Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau

Crystal Mountain

Mission Point

Show Ready Technologies

Grand Hotel

MyNorth Tickets

The Homestead

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Otsego Grand Event Center

Traverse City Tourism

(Inside Back Cover) 844.813.4630 boyne.com/meetings

(page 12) 800.225.2537 cadillacmichigan.com

Cathedral Barn

(page 16) 231.342.1526 historicbarnspark.com

Cherry Capital Airport (page 14) 231.947.2250 tvcairport.com

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(page 12) 231.883.9367 cornerlofttc.com

(page 4) 855.746.6733 crystalmountain.com

(Back Cover) 517.349.4600 grandhotel.com/meetings

(pages 6 & 7) 800.748.0303 grandtraverseresort.com

(page 12) 231.941.1961 kirkbridehall.com

(Inside Front Cover) 800.833.5538 missionpoint.com

(page 18) 800.836.0717 mynorthtickets.com

(page 12) 989.705.2010 otsegograndeventcenter.com

(page 10) 231.946.5000 park-place-hotel.com

(page 14) 888.651.5411 showreadytech.com

(page 2) 231.334.5000 thehomesteadresort.com

(page 14) 800-940-1120 traversecity.com

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3 Memorable Resorts | 75,000 Sq Ft of Flexible Meeting Space 1,000+ Sleeping Rooms | 30 Distinct Food & Beverage Options 171 Holes of Golf Spanning 10 153 11 Spectacular Courses Michigan’s Two Largest Largest Ski Resorts Ski Resorts with with OverOver 850 850 Skiable Skiable AcresAcres 15 Unique Team Building Activities Certified Meeting Professional Staff

Harbor Springs, Michigan

Bay Harbor, Michigan

Boyne Falls, Michigan

844.813.4630 | BOYNE.com/meetings

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A grand meeting tradition Offering our Complete Meeting Package

This inclusive package includes accommodations, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily and an evening cocktail reception. All meeting spaces are located within the hotel and come with AV equipment, Wi-Fi, coffee breaks, free golf greens fees (cart fee required) and a dedicated convention manager. Book 10 rooms or more and receive a complimentary room with meals, plus receive one VIP upgrade to a Named Room.

For rates and other availability, contact: Director of Sales, Annie Farrell afarrell@grandhotel.com 517-349-4600 Join our quarterly meetings eNewsletter at grandhotel.com/meetings

1-800-33GRAND • g r a n d ho te l .co m

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