ENLIGHTEN MIND & SPIRIT

ENLIGHTEN YOUR MIND AND SPIRIT

From art museums to shipwrecks, Michigan CVBs have culturally appealing attractions. By Kelly Skarritt-Williams and Zachary Marano

GREAT HALL, DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ART WHETHER YOU ARE TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE, no visit to Michigan is complete without absorbing some of the local color. Our communities offer many culturally and historically significant attractions. Some of these venues can double as an event or convention space, providing inspiration to foster creativity for conference attendees. Others are great for planning an after-event excursion where attendees are invited to relax, explore and expand their knowledge and artistic repertoire.

Detroit not only specializes in one-of-akind architecture with a variety of meeting spaces to choose from, it’s also a historical and artistic mecca. Built in 1888, the Detroit Institute of Arts is a historical landmark and one of the most renowned museums in the nation. Those looking to add an element of sophistication to their event might consider renting space at the DIA. You may choose between the Great Hall, Rivera Court, Romanesque Hall and Kresge Court, accommodating groups ranging from 40 to 1,000 guests. To get a greater feel for Detroit’s creative side, “DLECTRICITY” happens right outside the DIA’s doors every September. This celebratory festival of light and art showcases Detroit’s range of local, creative talent through illuminated art installations.

For a touch of the theatrical and a superb place for holding your next meeting, The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in

THE MENDEL CENTER, BENTON HARBOR

Benton Harbor is ideal for multi-day conferences and events. Located near the shores of Lake Michigan in the southwest corner of the state, The Mendel Center is easily accessible via I-94 and is within 10 minutes of more than 20 hotels. Planners can utilize the 14,000-squarefoot Grand Upton Hall event room with flexible seating for up to 1,600 guests, the 1,559seat Mendel Center Mainstage, or the newly renovated 234-seat Hanson Theatre. Grand Upton Hall has been center stage for leaders, celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. Learn more at TheMendelCenter.com.

German settlers came to Frankenmuth in 1845 and created a tiny Bavaria whose traditions and cuisine continue today. Frankenmuth is home to two of the world’s largest independently owned restaurants, Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, each serving nearly a million all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners annually. For an immersive experience, check out the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. It is connected to Fischer Hall, a local landmark that can also be rented for private events.

Located on the southern border of Michigan, Coldwater is a wonderful place for taking a trip into ages past. The Tibbits Opera House, built in 1882, is the second-oldest operating theater in Michigan. The façade of the 500-seat theater has been restored to its original 19th century splendor, and it presents professional theatrical works and plays classic movies year-round. The Little River Railroad offers 1½-hour excursions on an authentic,

HENRY FORD MUSEUM, DEARBORN

greatlakesbay

EXPLORE FLINT & GENESEE

The hardest part about finding the right location for your event or meeting in Flint & Genesee is choosing from all the options. We’re home to many unique locations and spaces, many with direct or close access to our vibrant community offerings. Among them:

• Flint Institute of Arts, Michigan’s second largest art museum • Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad with historic buildings and shops, including Michigan’s oldest operating gristmill • Ferris Wheel, a modern coworking space with access to conference rooms • The Capitol Theatre, a fully restored historic venue listed on the National Register of Historic Places • Flint Farmers’ Market with meeting spaces, rooftop terrace and atrium for corporate and private events • Dort Financial Center, home of the Flint Firebirds (hockey) and Flint United (basketball) Explore Flint & Genesee staff works with planners from many markets: sports, associations, corporate, military, fraternal, educational, faith-based, medical, government and more. Our experts provide the expertise to help you save time and money. Genesee County also offers competitively priced hotels, conference and banquet facilities, various sports facilities, and professional service providers to round out any event. Contact the experienced team at Explore Flint & Genesee to help plan your next event.

exploreflintandgenesee.org

519 S. Saginaw St., Suite 200 • Flint, MI 48502 (810) 600-1404 • info@flintandgenesee.org

TIBBITS OPERA HOUSE 110-year-old steam engine train. The railroad offers charters, and groups can even rent out the entire train.

Being centrally located near seven lighthouses, three Dark Sky preserve parks, multiple museums and art galleries, the Alpena area blends modern convenience with historic charm and relaxed adventure at the end of any meeting day. Kayak the serene waters of the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary, then taste local wines or fresh microbrews in the downtown district. Hunt for 400 million-year-old-fossils, then watch the stars come out at Rockport State Recreation Area and Dark Sky Preserve. “While planning and strategy may happen inside the meeting rooms, blue sky time and big picture dreaming happen out on Alpena’s trails and along her shorelines,” says Mary Beth Stutzman, president and CEO of the Alpena Area CVB.

In addition to stunning natural scenery, Alpena boasts a robust maritime history. With a rich logging and fishing tradition, the Alpena port was once one of the busiest along the coastline, shipping fish to Detroit or lumber to Chicago. Today, those echoes of the past can be explored by studying the nearly 200 shipwrecks at rest on the bottom of Lake Huron in waters protected by NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In addition to the shipwrecks in Lake Huron, a few of which can be seen via diving or aboard the Lady Michigan glass-bottom boat, meetings can also be held inside the Great Lakes Maritime

FRANKENMUTH HISTORICAL MUSEUM

AS YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT EVENT, CONSIDER THE MENDEL CENTER IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN.

• 14,400 sq. ft. of open floor space for trade shows & banquets • 1,559-seat & 234-seat performing arts theatres • Auxiliary meeting & breakout rooms • Event planners & professional technical staff • 10 minutes from Lake Michigan • Within 5 miles of more than 20 hotels

Learn more about hosting your next event with us. Call us at 269-927-8700 or visit TheMendelCenter.com

The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, MI

JACKSON’S HISTORIC PRISON THE GRAND HOTEL, MACKINAC ISLAND

Heritage Center for a unique twist on standard workshops and meetings.

In Jackson, meeting planners can go old-school at Forty Nine South, a historic primary school building that has been converted into a vintage yet trendy event space. Constructed in 1949, Forty Nine South caters to corporate event planners and can accommodate small business meetings, training sessions and off-site team gatherings. The main hall can hold up to 150 people and features hand-made tables.

Jackson’s Historic Prison, Michigan’s first state prison, and the Michigan Theatre, both located downtown, offer amenities that appeal to groups large and small. The former prison, built in 1882, offers group tours for big and small groups, and can include lunch. The Michigan Theatre, opened in 1930, can accommodate up to 1,226 guests with various unique meeting spaces that will delight any group.

“Jackson is the perfect destination for planning a unique and memorable event,” says Rachel Buchanan, marketing and development manager for Experience Jackson. “You’ll find a variety of options that meet any request, both indoor and out. And we’ll help you find it, too.”

Mackinac Island is a one-of-a-kind, mustsee destination whenever you are traveling in Michigan. In addition to its absence of cars and a quaint, 19-century vibe, the island is a historical mecca for many around the world. It was named the second U.S. national park in 1875, after Yellowstone National Park. Fort Mackinac served as an outpost for the British during the Revolutionary War, and was also where the first land engagement occurred during the War of 1812. It housed three Confederate soldier prisoners during the Civil War.

For meeting planners looking to bring their next event to the island, look no further than its other claim to fame: The Grand Hotel. This historic hotel offers more than 22,000 square feet of meeting space. There is usually no additional charge for the use of any meeting or function space, wireless internet, and in-house

audio-visual equipment when you book your event at The Grand Hotel.

For something truly magical, take a trip down the Yellow Brick Road and explore the Holland Oz Project, which opened in 2019. Located directly across from the Herrick District Library in Centennial Park near downtown Holland, this project emerged after Holland hosted the International Oz Society in 2014. The project features life-sized bronze sculptures of the characters from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” as well as a living mosaic composed of annual plants growing on a steel 10-foot by 12-foot base, depicting the cover of the book. Not far from the Oz installation is Holland Civic Center in the west end of downtown. Built in the 1950s, the center recently unveiled a $16.8-million renovation. Today’s Holland Civic Center Place is a striking state-of-the-art 55,000 square foot multipurpose facility with the versatility to host a variety of functions and activities. Perfect for 10, 100 or 500-plus attendees, it offers five indoor meeting areas plus outdoor patios.

The Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo, North America’s largest automobile museum, will appeal to any auto enthusiast. In addition to more than 400 vehicles on display, the museum hosts cruise-in nights all throughout the summer and fall, live concerts, food and drink festivals, and specially themed car shows on their expansive campus. Hosting an event at the car museum is also a breeze. The museum rents out various ballrooms that accommodate a range of guests, or you can choose to rent campus space outdoors.

Whatever the interest, our members are ready to assist you in your search.

GILMORE CAR MUSEUM, KALAMAZOO

Get Connected

ALPENA AREA CVB visitalpena.com 989.340.2288

COLDWATER COUNTRY CVB coldwatercountry.com 517.278.0241

DETROIT METRO CVB visitdetroit.com 800.338.7648

FRANKENMUTH CVB frankenmuth.org 800.fun.town

HOLLAND AREA VISITORS BUREAU holland.org 800.506.1299

EXPERIENCE JACKSON experiencejackson.com 517.764.4440

DISCOVER KALAMAZOO discoverkalamazoo.com 269.488.9000

MACKINAC ISLAND TOURISM BUREAU mackinacisland.org 906.847.3783

SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN TOURIST COUNCIL swmichigan.org 269.925.6301

HOLLAND CIVIC CENTER

KALAMAZOO