MEET WITH MOTHER NATURE

HAVE A MEETING WITH MOTHER NATURE

Make the Great Outdoors part of your next meeting or event By Kelly Skarritt-Williams and Zachary Marano

ST. IVES GOLF COURSE, MECOSTA COUNTY

ALTHOUGH MULTI-DAY CONFERENCES or events can provide a change of pace and reinvigorate a team, the tedium of four walls with little sunlight all day can feel stifling. But even if your chosen space isn’t conducive to an outdoor atmosphere, an after-hours excursion or mid-conference field trip can do a lot to help attendees experience mental breakthrough. The Great Lakes State offers a wide selection of outdoor adventures that can accommodate large groups. Whether you want to hold a meeting in a natural setting or need to infuse some recreational fun, let our convention and visitors bureaus help you find the activity or space that can meet your attendees’ needs.

NATURAL SPACE TO EXPLORE

For meeting planners looking to incorporate some leisure into their business trip and make it a “bleisure trip,” the Mount Pleasant Area CVB staff can help you select event space that meets your needs and budget, then help you find fun things to do when you’re done for the day. “Stretch your legs and mind and take a hike at Deerfield Park just west of Mount Pleasant,” says Chris Rowley, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Area CVB. “The park features a covered bridge and two swinging bridges and 600 acres to hike and explore. It also features two Class A disc golf courses. It was voted Pure Michigan’s most beautiful place in Isabella County. It’s a must-see while in the area.”

The Kalamazoo Nature Center is considered one of the top nature centers in the nation. Open year-round, this nature preserve features indoor and outdoor activities and appeals to all ages. The nature preserve stretches 1,100 acres with 14 miles of trails offering pristine natural beauty, perfect for hiking and cross-country skiing. Two stations — the Heronwood and Carver House — offer spaces for corporate events with space for up to 25, overlooking stunning woodland views.

The Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB provides airy spaces and outdoor activities to free your mind and body. At 1,400 feet in length and fully accessible to people with disabilities, the Whiting Forest is the longest canopy walk in the country. This inviting region also has a variety of affordable and flexible hotels and meeting venues to accommodate groups or experiences. Great Lakes Bay CVB offers one-on-one guidance to help you plan a topnotch event. The area provides access to a 12,000-plus-seat multi-purpose arena as well as access to small-scale retreat spaces and conference centers with accommodations for up to 500.

If you’re heading to the Flint area, kayaking and canoeing are great ways to explore that region’s rivers and lakes. The Flint River is accessible from a variety of locations in the middle of Genesee County, such as Flushing, Davison and Flint. In Flint, individuals and groups can rent kayaks and canoes from Kayak Flint located by Tenacity Brewing in the downtown area. There are more than 11,000 acres of parks and recreation space in Genesee County, from For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum

WHITING FOREST CANOPY WALK, GREAT LAKES BAY REGION

PETOSKEY

MARQUETTE COUNTY

in Burton to Holloway Reservoir Regional Park in Davison. “Flint and Genesee is a great place to connect with nature, people and history,” says Alaina Wiens, executive director of Explore Flint & Genesee. The downtown also boasts a range of meeting and hotel space, including the 101-room Hilton Garden Inn that opened recently inside the Savings Bank. Built in 1920, the building was Flint’s second skyscraper and offers 3,130-square-feet of space with six meeting rooms.

AFTER-HOURS ADVENTURE

When seeking ways to incorporate nature into your event, Ann Arbor is always a great place to start. The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens offers an array of biodiversity including tree groves, wildflower gardens and a stunning, 10,000-foot conservatory. The Huron River is a key feature in this area and courses around the walkable downtown area. It’s often best enjoyed from the seat of a canoe, kayak or paddleboat.

For those seeking ways to help event attendees unwind after a long day’s hard work, there’s nothing like the fresh air in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to help you clear your head. Marquette County boasts over 1,800 square miles of land and 80 miles of shoreline and is one of the most stunning places in the Upper Peninsula. “Marquette County is a community where nature’s assets are on full display through scenic vistas, rugged trails and rushing waterfalls,” says Susan Estler, executive director of Travel Marquette. “From fine food and brews to unique shops and stays — Marquette pairs a small-town feel with bigcity taste and endless adventure.” Groups can discover the mixed terrain surrounding the city on one of several trail networks.

At the northwestern tip of the Mitten, the Petoskey Area communities rest along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. There are many wonderful places to explore in the Petoskey Area including 14 wineries in Michigan’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA), or designated wine-growing region. Add some after-hours vino to your next meeting when you book some of the 120,000-square-feet of meeting space that the Petoskey area offers.

The Blue Water Area encompasses communities that dot the shoreline of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. Michigan’s “Thumbcoast” along its eastern shores is a great place to get outside and indulge in visiting natural and historic sights. The Fort Gratiot Light Station is the oldest working lighthouse in Michigan and provides a scenic view of Lake Huron. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse are open to the public and can accommodate groups of 200 to 300 people.

There are many outdoor activities in Mecosta County that attendees can enjoy, including boating, kayaking and horseback riding. Mecosta County is also home to five golf courses, some rated by the PGM and PGA. Additionally, the Mecosta County CVB has contributed $100,000 to the development of a new mountain bike and hiking trail called the Dragon Trail. Upon completion, the Dragon will be the largest looped trail in North America. “We see the Dragon Trail project as a key investment that will bring even more Pure Michigan magic to Mecosta County,”

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Meeting Made Easy.

Mt. Pleasant’s central location makes meeting here easy. Home to the Soaring Eagle Casino and Central Michigan University, this college town stands out amongst the rest for its small town feel with big city amenities. To assist you in planning, the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (MPACVB) provides professional guidance and services to make your next event one to remember. Meet here, in Mt. Pleasant where there’s just the right amenities, just for you.

Plan your meeting or event at www.meetmtp.com.

MPACVB | info@meetmtp.com | (888) 772-2018

BRING IN More ATTENDEES

IN & AROUND ST. JOSEPH

As you make plans to meet face-to-face, choose somewhere your guests want to come. Host your next meeting, conference or reunion along Lake Michigan. After setting goals or brainstorming, play golf, paddle scenic rivers, tour craft wineries and breweries, and do so much more.

The excitement starts at swmichigan.org/meetings with great hotel rates and itineraries. It’s that easy.

SWMICHIGAN.ORG

says Connie Koepke, executive director of the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau.

The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City can help your attendees relax following a packed day. After some spa time, your attendees will feel renewed with creativity and productivity maximized. “Having a full-service spa at your convenience during a conference or convention is so rewarding,” says Dawn Olsen, director of spa and recreation operations at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. “Taking the time to relax, rejuvenate and calm your mind and body does wonders for work productivity. Being able to offer Spa Grand Traverse as an amenity to corporate guests gives them a great work-life balance while they are here.” There are three championship golf courses located at the resort and spa, offering corporate golf team building activities available to enhance your event. Other options for groups include use of the five indoor and four outdoor tennis courts, two indoor pools, three hot tubs, a weight room and a yoga studio. Classes can be customized for groups by contacting the Health Club.

FORT GRATIOT LIGHT STATION, BLUE WATER AREA

DESTINATION ANN ARBOR AnnArbor.org 734.995.7281

BLUE WATER AREA CVB bluewater.org 800.852.4242

EXPLORE FLINT & GENESEE ExploreFlintandGenesee.org 810.600.1404

GREAT LAKES BAY REGIONAL CVB visitgreatlakesbay.org 800.444.9979 DISCOVER KALAMAZOO discoverkalamazoo.com 269.488.9000

PETOSKEY AREA VISITORS BUREAU petoskeyarea.com 800.845.2828

TRAVEL MARQUETTE www.travelmarquette.com 800.544.4321

MECOSTA COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU bigrapids.org 888.229.4386 MOUNT PLEASANT AREA CVB meetmtp.com 800.772.4433

TRAVERSE CITY TOURISM traversecity.com 800.940.1120

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GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA