Meetings » PEACEFUL SETTINGS (THAT ARE CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN!)
TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL
PHOTOS FROM LEFT: COURTESY OF TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL // DAVE WEIDNER
WI LLIA M S B U RG
Letting you in on a secret: Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel is not just for gamers. More and more, motor coach groups are making this hotel/casino, on the edge of Traverse City, an overnight stop on tours throughout the area, while social and corporate groups are finding their way to gather, stay and play all under one roof. Welcoming these groups is a part of a newer effort by Turtle Creek, one that extends to helping meeting planners spend time both on-site and at its nearby sister property, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. “The gaming floor and sports bar offer built-in entertainment for groups, and that lessens the pressure of planning and finding off-property entertainment options,” says Sales Manager Nick LaDrig. Thanks to a partnership with its sister property, meeting planners can utilize both Turtle Creek and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, and are encouraged to think of the two resorts as one big campus, with convenient shuttles for golf, shopping or spa visits. But, of course, the main draw of Turtle Creek is still the no-holds-barred fun and dazzle of a gaming floor right on-site—a one-of-a-kind source for easy team bonding and entertainment to treat hard-working groups to a little R&R. CASE STUDY A prominent Northern Michigan nonprofit group held its annual fundraising dinner for more than 250 people at Turtle Creek last spring. “This group utilized all of our event space in a dynamic way with a flow from one area to another,” LaDrig says. “For example, an outdoor patio area offered appetizers, the connected Onyx Sports Bar provided a full SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
2020_MEETINGS(3).indd 17
bar with wine tasting and our ballroom held a large banquet of local foods prepared by award-winning chefs followed by a live auction of once-in-a-lifetime items and experiences.” The nonprofit is already making plans to return this year. NEW IN 2020 Plans are in the works for hotel renovations as well as updating meeting and banquet capabilities. LOCALS LOVE Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel is situated among rolling hills and orchards, stands of stunning sugar maples, and sits just a few minutes from Sand Lakes Quiet Area, a 2,800-acre state forest haven with 7.4 miles of peaceful, winding trails. After a hike, area wineries and breweries make a refreshing stop. HOT TIP “Fall color season is very popular in the area, so book early for those dates,” LaDrig advises. QUICK FACTS » Heads in beds: 130 rooms » Ballroom: 4,000 square feet » Conference room: 550 square feet » Getting there: 10 minutes from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport
Find more things to do at MyNorth.com/TraverseCity
MyNorth Meetings 2020
17
3/13/20 2:56 PM
