Issuu

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

GREAT LAKES BAY GATHERINGS

SMART WAYS TO INTEGRATE WELLNESS INTO EVENTS

DISTINCTIVE TOWNS, MEMORABLE MEETINGS

GOING SOLO

ONE PLANNER’S LEAP FROM EMPLOYEE TO ENTREPRENEUR

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // F A L L 2 0 2 6

MASTERS of

MEETINGS

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 1

GOLF VENUES THAT DELIVER ON AND OFF THE COURSE

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PERFECTLY LOCATED

Lansing is a 90-minute drive from 90% of Michigan’s population, making it easily accessible for attendees and speakers.

MIDWESTERN HOSPITALITY

Our 500+ Certified Tourism Ambassadors ensure a warm, welcoming experience for everyone.

AFFORDABLE & VERSATILE

With budget-friendly venues and dining options, Lansing offers unique spaces that suit any event.

Lansing.org

517.487.0077

Scan this QR Code to unlock the keys to your meeting’s success!

A HUB OF EXPERTS

Tap into Lansing's network of industry leaders from Michigan State University and state government. Choose Lansing and plan on something Greater

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 2

9/11/26 3:01 PM

wish you were here.

It’s not just a destination – it’s the destination. See why Travel + Leisure named Traverse City one of the “51 Most Beautiful Places in the U.S.”

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 1

9/11/26 3:01 PM

Contents

FALL 2 02 6

22 Feature //

Wellness on the Agenda BY KATHY GIBBONS

Planners keep attendees’ well-being top of mind as they map out meeting itineraries

In Every Issue //

4 Editor’s Note 6 Meeting Notes

Reinforce your planner toolkit with inspiring ideas, pro tips, and handy products

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City

Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth

12 Destination

The Great Lakes Bay region offers six convenient, notable cities and towns

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

GREAT LAKES BAY GATHERINGS

SMART WAYS TO INTEGRATE WELLNESS INTO EVENTS

DISTINCTIVE TOWNS, MEMORABLE MEETINGS

GOING SOLO

ONE PLANNER’S LEAP FROM EMPLOYEE TO ENTREPRENEUR

18 Venue Report

At golf resorts and courses, pair business with camaraderie and fun on the links

MASTERS of

MEETINGS

GOLF VENUES THAT DELIVER ON AND OFF THE COURSE

26 Industry Update

Get the inside scoop on meetings and events industry news in Michigan

30 Snapshots

Hospitality and economic leaders kick off National Travel and Tourism Week

32 People Profile

Planner Verlonda Thompson loves walking into a space, envisioning what’s possible, and bringing an event to life

On the Cover

The Little Cardinal golf course at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth PHOTO COURTESY SAINT JOHN’S RESORT

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // F A L L 2 0 2 6

2 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 2

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau

WHERE EVERY MOMENT FEELS

GRAND

We’ve invested millions to take your MGM Grand Detroit experience to the next level. With unique lounges, a resort-style spa, signature restaurants, a luxury 400 room hotel and 30,000 square feet of flexible event space, we make the attendee experience G R A N D .

Scan to learn more

mgmgranddetroit.com

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 3

9/11/26 3:01 PM

EDI TOR ’ S N OT E

meetingsmags.com/michigan PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES MATTHEW YANZ 612-371-5810 | MYANZ@GREENSPRING.COM GROUP EDITOR DANIELLE FIELDS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TODD R. BERGER EDITOR KATHY GIBBONS

» YOU NEVER KNOW what people are going through. I remember being a mom with young children many years ago, sometimes getting to work and plopping at my desk with a deep sigh, feeling as though I’d already put in a full day of work before I got there. In fact, finally arriving at the office was a relief, because it was something I meetingsmags.com/michigan could (for the most part) control—unlike meetingsmags the ear infection, tantrum, or babysitter cancellation that started the day. Planner Ashley Builta prompted me to think back to those days, as I often have in recent years due to my plate becoming increasingly full, including with elderly parents who need a lot of help. I long ago realized that everybody has stuff. We don’t wear it on our sleeves. We mostly just deal with and get through it. Builta, who organizes meetings and conferences for the Michigan Pharmacists Association, and whom I interviewed for a story about incorporating wellness into meetings for this issue, is certified in mental health first aid. !She uses her training to teach pharmacists how to support patients and coworkers with mental health challenges. Recently, Builta conducted a condensed, one-hour presentation on the topic for a group of Michigan meeting and hospitality professionals. “It was about what a mental health challenge looks like, how you can approach it, and where you go from there,” she says, making the point that when people come to conferences and meetings, their personal life doesn’t necessarily stay behind. “We don’t know how full their cup is already, and maybe there’s that one additional thing that causes it to overflow. Being an adult mental health first-aid trainer brings to mind: How can we provide safe spaces [at events] that are more comfortable and accommodating no matter what attendees are walking into the room with?” I can see that being helpful to parents of young children—and to a lot of other people, too.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR NOAH MITCHELL EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Jennifer Berkemeier, Huntington Place | David Buckenberger, Choose Lansing | Kim Corcoran, Destination Michigan/Meetings Michigan | Larisa Draves, Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan | Lyn Gleasure, Rock Events | Linda Hoath, Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau | Mary Chris Hotchkiss, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau | Lindsay Krause, Special D Events | Mary Manier, Experience Grand Rapids | Julie Oatman, Crystal Mountain | Kristy Poore, Destination Ann Arbor | Mandi VanOoteghem, Go Great Lakes Bay | Kristin Weyher, Travel Marquette CREATIVE DIRECTOR TED ROSSITER ART DIRECTORS JOHN JENSEN, TONY WAGNER PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON ADVERTISING COORDINATOR SYDNEY KELL JUNIOR ADVERTISING COORDINATOR ANNIE BERWALD SALES + MARKETING SPECIALIST TAUSHA MARTINSON-BRIGHT EVENT MANAGER RICK KRUEGER SPONSORSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS + PR MANAGER ELISABETH WULF MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST LUCY MULLEN DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATION KATHIE GORECKI ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE STEPHEN DIAZ AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR GERI WILSON CIRCULATION MANAGER RILEY MEYERS CIRCULATION COORDINATOR MICHELE WOLD REPRINTS For high-quality reprints of 500 or more, call 612-371-5849 or email danderson@greenspring.com. For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription, please contact customer service at 866-660-6247.

9401 James Ave. S., Suite 152, Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone 612-371-5800 Fax 612-371-5801 HOUR MEDIA CEO STEFAN WANCZYK PRESIDENT JOHN BALARDO

The pages between the covers of this magazine (except for any inserted material) are made from wood fiber that was procured from forests that are sustainably managed to remain healthy, productive, and biologically diverse.

KATHY GIBBONS

Editor kgibbons@greenspring.com

PHOTO John Roberts Williams

In Focus: Mental Health

SENIOR EDITOR LINDEN M. BAYLISS

4 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIM+E FA26 EditMastTOC NM.indd 4

9/11/26 4:02 PM

There’s something magical about a place where meetings aren’t measured in minutes, but moments. Gather, explore and unwind together in the Petoskey Area. Ready to start planning something special with our dedicated Destination Expert? Visit PetoskeyArea.com/Meetings

Here, unplugging is the perfect way to connect.

PHOTO John Roberts Williams

IT’S KINDA UNREAL.

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/COLORADO 5

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 5

9/11/26 3:01 PM

M EETI N G N OT E S Prime Planner Resources

Downtown Tecumseh; Right, from above: The Croswell Opera House; River Raisin National Battlefield Park visitor center

Southeast Michigan Hospitality Monroe and Lenawee counties offer authentic venues, plus one-of-a-kind event experiences BY DIANNA STAMPFLER

VIBE: “Positioned directly on the shores of Lake Erie, Monroe

bridges the gap between Michigan’s rich agricultural history and its!serene natural beauty,” notes Mya Gregory, sales consultant at Explore Monroe. “It’s in a region that doesn’t just host meetings, it gives attendees a sense of place, standing out as a relaxed, scenic alternative to busy metropolitan centers.” Similarly, Visit Lenawee Director of Marketing Jenna Salazar says, “Lenawee County is the kind of destination where attendees can step away from the pace of everyday life and genuinely connect with colleagues, nature, and the community.”

TRANSPORTATION: Commercial air service is available via

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The city of Monroe is near Interstate 75 and some 23 miles from the airport, and Lenawee County is about 35 miles west of Monroe.

HOTELS: The full-service Quality Inn & Suites Monroe features multiple breakout rooms and flexible options for 200 attendees, while TownePlace Suites by Marriott Monroe accommodates groups up to 150. The Clinton Inn in Lenawee County has a 40person banquet room, as well as a ballroom that holds up to 100.

The 1,224 square feet of meeting space at Comfort Inn & Suites Adrian comfortably accommodates up to 60 attendees.

VENUES: River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, an

important site during the War of 1812, offers battle reenactments and demonstrations. Its event center provides flexible, indoor arena-style space totaling 21,600 square feet. Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn hosts large-scale events, including options to get on the track for a hot lap. Other notable venues include the restored Adrian Armory Events Center and Croswell Opera House, both in Adrian.

RESTAURANTS: Public House Food + Drink in Monroe has

a semiprivate dining area accommodating up to 40 attendees, with full buyouts for 100 also available. The banquet room at Hooligans Grill in Adrian hosts up to 80.

MUST-SEES & -DOS: Celebrate Monroe County’s legacy as

the birthplace of Michigan’s wine industry with a visit to St. Julian Winery & Distillery’s Dundee location, or by exploring the River Raisin Wine Trail with four distinct tasting rooms. Get out into nature at the 1,300-acre William C. Sterling State Park on Lake Erie, where hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and water recreation are popular. Tipton’s 755-acre Hidden Lake Gardens includes a conservatory, walking trails, and an elevated Sky Canopy Walk, with room rentals available on a limited basis. exploremonroemi.com visitlenawee.com

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Visit Lenawee (2), Explore Monroe

ven before Michigan became a state in 1837, the communities of Adrian, Dundee, Monroe, and Tecumseh established themselves as commercial, residential, and cultural hubs between Detroit and northern Ohio. Today, Monroe and Lenawee counties collectively boast more than 1,400 square miles of offthe-beaten-path opportunities for attendees to connect with nature, discover intriguing history, and more.

6 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 6

9/11/26 3:01 PM

12,000 SQUARE FEET OF

Flexible Event Space

ON-SITE CATERING

Full-Service Restaurant 24 ONE BEDROOM SUITES

201 GLEN AVE ANN ARBOR

FROM CONNECTION

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Visit Lenawee (2), Explore Monroe

to Creation

Plan your next event with us! ATHLETICS • DEMOS • BANQUETS • CONFERENCES • EXPOS • MEETINGS • TRAININGS

Convenient Metro Detroit location with ample parking, nearby hotels, expert media technology, and exceptional culinary services schoolcraft.edu/vistatech 734-462-4610 vistatech@schoolcraft.edu Schoolcraft College | Livonia, MI

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 7

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 7

9/11/26 3:01 PM

M EETI N G N OT E S Prime Planner Resources

CREATIVE ALTERNATIVE TO FOOD WASTE

Special D Events’ client donated snacks to a food bank when food and beverage spending ran short.

AI: The Game Changer » IF THERE’S A HOT TOPIC for convention and visitors bureaus right now, it’s artificial intelligence. Kate Lieto knows all about that. As vice president of marketing at Experience Grand Rapids, she says it’s top of mind. “We’re looking at AI from two perspectives,” she says. “First, how it helps our team work more efficiently. Second, how it’s changing the way leisure travelers and meeting planners research destinations, plan trips, and make decisions.” Experience Grand Rapids launched a comprehensive project to ensure its content is optimized for AI-powered search and discovery. “We want Grand Rapids to show up when someone asks AI where to host their next meeting or where to spend a long weekend,” Lieto says. “We’re using multiple tools and strategies to make sure our content is structured in ways AI platforms easily understand.” The effort also includes ensuring venue information is accessible to AI systems. “We publish detailed information about our meeting venues, including square footage, room capacity, and meeting space specifications,” Lieto says. “Making sure that information is easy for AI platforms to find and interpret has been a major part of the project.” AI also helps make drafting internal communication materials easier and supports brainstorming and earlystage event planning. “But it doesn’t replace relationships or local expertise,” she notes. Lieto points to tools such as PCMA’s Spark, an AI platform designed specifically for meeting professionals, as examples of how organizations are exploring the tech’s potential. “AI is a game changer,” Lieto says. “It’s a tool, but it’s way more powerful and changing more quickly than anything I have seen.” experiencegr.com – Kathy Gibbons

mily Haan was working on an annual event for a nonprofit client back in November when it became clear that lower-thanexpected attendance meant the group wouldn’t meet its food and beverage minimum. In the end, the client was about $1,000 short on its spend, says Haan, meeting and event manager for Detroit-based Special D Events. “I noticed the catering menu had a boxed lunch option that had prepackaged food items in it like

granola bars or chips—that kind of thing,” Haan says. The client operated a food pantry for senior citizens, so Haan asked the venue if the group could order $1,000 worth of those products to take back to the pantry and give to their clients. “Just because you have to spend a certain amount doesn’t mean you have to have all this waste,” Haan says. “There are opportunities to give back to a pantry or a local community in creative ways.” specialdevents.com –Kathy Gibbons

Experience Grand Rapids launched a comprehensive project to ensure web content is optimized for AI search.

PHOTOS!(FROM ABOVE) Special D Events, Experience Grand Rapids

8 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 8

9/11/26 3:01 PM

We speak fluent event planner. FOR PLANNERS:

» 225,000 sf of beautifully appointed space » 18 versatile, fully equipped event spaces » Intuitive !oor plans » 4500 theater; 3100 banquet; 2900 classroom » Full in-house sales & event management, AV technology, F&B & complimentary host services & high performance WiFi » 4 downtown full service hotels; garage parking & skybridge connectivity » Award winning service » Nearly 80% rebooking rate » SAVE UP TO 15% vs. comparable cities!

FOR ATTENDEES:

» Walkable, safe, enjoyable downtown » 60+ walk-to restaurants, pubs, coffee & dessert houses

» Boutique shopping » Live entertainment » Vibrant arts & attractions » Riverfront parks, trails & activities » Easy by car; Easy by air (FWA)

Zehnder’s is all about families. Whether you’re dining at Zehnder’s, our world famous restaurant, shopping in Zehnder’s Marketplace, enjoying a round of golf at our championship golf course, The Fortress, splashing the day away at Zehnder’s Splash Village, or enjoying luxury lodging at The Mill at Zehnder Park, our focus is providing families the place and opportunity to spend time together. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth!

WWW.ZEHNDERS.COM OR CALL 855-868-3101 FOR RESERVATIONS

Talk with Marcy McKinley, Director of Sales

IT'S ALL HAPPENING IN DOWNTOWN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

MEET MUSKEGON Scan to Request Information or Contact Sarah at sarah@visitmuskegon.org 231-880-5116

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 9

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 9

9/11/26 3:01 PM

M EETI N G N OT E S Prime Planner Resources

The Aiana chatbot cube took center stage last year.

Display Group Reimagines the Chatbot » FIRST, YOU SAY, “YES, WE CAN.” Then, you figure out

how. That’s the way Display Group, a Detroit-based marketing and event-production company, brought its vision of a chatbot that could co-host sessions at the Money20/20 USA fintech show in Las Vegas last October to life. The show already had Aiana, an artificial intelligence-powered host rolled out at a 2024 event in Amsterdam. But Display Group Senior Account Executive Adam Gonyeau says conference organizers wanted Aiana to have a much larger presence in 2025.

“Before, they had the physical version of Aiana that was more of a symbol, but she didn’t really interact,” Gonyeau says. Display Group Technical Designer Brad Bayer says the client wanted Aiana to manifest in the form of a cube made of video walls. His idea was to add infinity mirrors—all in 4-by-4-foot panels. Video and lighting worked in sync with the chatbot’s speech, and Display Group created a set and stage that highlighted Aiana’s presence. “She was the statement piece of the show,” Gonyeau says. displaygroup.com –Kathy Gibbons

2025 CCDA National Conference in Grand Rapids

he Chicago-based Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), a nationwide network of Christians dedicated to supporting under-resourced communities, chose Grand Rapids as the site for its 2025 CCDA National Conference last November. Scott Overpeck, the organization’s membership and conference director, says it couldn’t have played out better. About 2,000 people attended, a number that Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the adjoining DeVos Place convention center easily handled. The two venues held 80 workshops, six main-stage sessions, and 50 networking events over three days. The rates were affordable for members, many of them leaders of churches and

small nonprofits. Conference participants also took field trips they call “go and sees” to area churches, nonprofits, and other organizations in the Grand Rapids community. Overpeck worked with Experience Grand Rapids from the get-go. Its team was involved from the first site visits, and Overpeck says they assisted with transportation needs and were partners all the way through. “Small nonprofit leaders—it’s not often they get that red-carpet experience,” Overpeck says. “But a lot of times, by working with the convention and visitors bureaus, they get the welcome signs at the airport and the window clings. All those things go far in just making people feel special.” ccda.org | devosplace.org –Kathy Gibbons

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Display Group, Christian Community Development Association

RED-CARPET EXPERIENCE IN GRAND RAPIDS

10 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 10

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Display Group, Christian Community Development Association

Breathtaking Architecture

YO U R N E X T G E TAWAY I S WA I T I N G H E R E

60,000 sq. feet of exhibits Guided Tours Available Two award-winning golf courses

Bus Groups Welcome

Two distinct restaurants Multiple lodging options Various Event & Meeting Spaces

G AT H E R . S TAY. P L AY.

CastleMuseum.Org

TullymoreGolf.com MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 11

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 11

9/11/26 3:01 PM

DE ST I NAT ION Great Lakes Bay Region

The Bavarian Belle Riverboat on the Cass River in Frankenmuth; Right: Courtyard event setup at The H Hotel in Midland

Mix & Match

» CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAUS typically serve just one community or county. Not so for central Michigan’s Go Great Lakes Bay. Encompassing three counties (Bay, Midland, and Saginaw) and six cities (Bay City, Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Midland, and Saginaw), it is comprised of several communities that share many common traits while offering distinct settings and venues for gatherings. Located on Lake Huron, Bay City is rooted in history, with its downtown featuring restaurants and brewpubs, plus an uptown with eateries and boutiques. Drive 25 minutes west on U.S. Route 10 to Midland, known for its midcentury-modern architecture. Midland houses the global headquarters of The Dow Chemical Co. and features a thriving downtown and multiple cultural attractions. About 20 minutes south of Bay City, Saginaw is the region’s largest city, with a riverfront arts and entertainment hub, along with the Old Town area and its walkable blocks populated with restaurants, taverns, and antique shops. Chesaning is 30 minutes southwest of Saginaw. It’s a quintessential small riverfront town with locally owned restaurants and inns. Head east about 20 miles to get to Birch Run, perhaps

best known as a retail destination, with the Birch Run Premium Outlets set along Interstate 75. Frankenmuth is about 10 miles north of Birch Run. Its Bavarian architecture and picturesque riverfront are a backdrop for shops, full-service hotels and resorts, and restaurants—including Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn—offering family-style chicken dinners, Cass River cruises, and horse-drawn carriage rides. All the Go Great Lakes Bay cities are centrally located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. They’re easy to drive to via I-75 or fly to through MBS International Airport in Freeland. They’re also close to one another, offering planners opportunities to mix and match lodging, conference and meeting spaces, and attractions for team building and other outings. “Our common themes are hospitality, pride, and affordability,” says Jill Shorkey, director of motorcoach and specialty markets for Go Great Lakes Bay. “Our cities all are within 40 minutes of Frankenmuth, so you are driving from there about a half hour to Bay City, about 20 minutes to Saginaw, and about 40 minutes to Midland. We call this model ‘hub and spoke,’ when your group stays at one place and spends time in others.”

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau/@steph.castelein, The H Hotel

The Great Lakes Bay region offers distinctive venues and attractions BY KATHY GIBBONS

12 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 12

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau/@steph.castelein, The H Hotel

A REGIONAL EFFORT In fact, using that model is how the Great Lakes Bay region succeeded in holding the 10-day Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Memorial Cup in 2024, an event that determines the best junior hockey club in the league. One of only nine U.S. teams in the CHL, the Saginaw Spirit play their home games at Dow Event Center in Saginaw. Thanks to a collaboration with Go Great Lakes Bay and area officials, Saginaw Spirit submitted and won the bid to host the Memorial Cup that year on their home ice. For the first time in its long history, the tournament was held in Michigan, attracting about 17,000 fans, accounting for more than 4,500 booked rooms, and generating $32 million in economic impact. If there was ever an example of “It takes a village,” this tournament was it. Play was centered at the Dow Event Center, with the cities of Saginaw, Midland, Bay City, and Frankenmuth joining forces to provide hospitality and transportation infrastructure. “We had 73% first-time visitors to the Dow Event Center for that event,” Shorkey says. “It was truly amazing.” Frankenmuth hosted the players, she adds, “mostly because of the walkability—there were different things for them to do. The hotels also had to have full service. When you are housing athletes, you have to be prepared to feed them whenever they need it.” Saginaw Transit Authority and Regional Services established bus routes to transport family members and fans between Saginaw and Frankenmuth. “We asked our partners, restaurants,

and attractions what they could do as Memorial Cup specials or activities,” Shorkey adds, noting 800 volunteers also helped. “It got a lot of our nonprofits out working together to welcome all these people. There was such teamwork.” The event even garnered two awards, one from the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism for transformative, cross-border collaboration among the league, Saginaw Spirit, and area partners; and the other an Event Partnership of the Year award from the Sports Events and Tourism Association. STAY & MEET DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bay City–Riverfront is popular for groups wanting to book a spot that provides lodging, meeting space, and meals in one location, with the bonus of being in downtown’s walkable waterfront area. “We really do love being a one-stop shop for all conference and event needs,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Clarissa Lange. With 17,000 square feet of meeting space, including a tented pool and patio area, the DoubleTree offers 150 guest rooms. “We really stay competitive in regard to our pricing, compared to the major cities in the state,” Lange adds. Also in Bay City, Bay Valley Resort, with 147 guest rooms and more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space, celebrated the completion of major renovations in October. In Midland, The H Hotel features 20,000-plus square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, along with 130 guest rooms,

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 13

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 13

9/11/26 3:01 PM

DE ST I NAT ION Great Lakes Bay Region

says Claire Dolyniuk, the hotel’s corporate senior marketing manager. This AAA Four-Diamond property is in the city’s walkable downtown. The Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth provides more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space and 360 guest rooms, with its Bavarian Blast Waterpark adding recreational opportunities outside of scheduled events. Also in Frankenmuth, Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark includes 179 hotel rooms, a 100-person meeting room, The Fortress Pavilion accommodating up to 180 attendees, and a waterpark with associated activities. Other full-service hotels in the region include Holiday Inn Midland, with 180 guest rooms and 10,486 square feet of function space, and Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw, offering 140 rooms and 3,808 square feet of meeting areas. Other options are available for smaller group events. Apple Mountain in Freeland doesn’t offer lodging, but it serves up to 700 attendees with nine versatile event venues, says Director of Business Development Ben Schippers. Its championship golf course is popular for groups looking to schedule golf outings. “We are pleased to partner with several Saginaw-area Marriott hotels to offer discounted accommodations for groups,” Schippers notes.

Other area meeting venues include Dow Diamond baseball park, Midland Brewing Co.’s Red Keg Barrel House, and Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center in Midland; Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, Dow Event Center, Golden Glow Ballroom, Horizons Conference Center, The Temple Theatre, and Trillium Banquet Center in Saginaw; and conference centers at Midland’s Northwood University and Saginaw Valley State University in University Center. Frankenmuth Brewery provides private space for groups of up to 260 attendees. ATTRACTIONS ALL OVER In Saginaw, groups can participate in a relaxing tea ceremony at the Japanese Cultural Center Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw, which also offers group garden tours. Saginaw’s SVRC Marketplace is a community hub and business incubator with global cuisines, artisanal crafts, and an eclectic selection of other goods in a historic riverfront building with both indoor and outdoor seating. Director Rachel Caudy says there’s a rentable ballroom hosting up to 390, with another space suited for 120. The Delta College Planetarium offers shows and sky-viewing events in downtown Bay City. Guided tours are available at the

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, Apple Mountain, Bavarian Inn Lodge

Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn Lodge; Left: Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark in Frankenmuth; Above: Grand Ballroom at Apple Mountain in Freeland

14 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 14

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, Apple Mountain, Bavarian Inn Lodge

Meet Here. Play Here. Central Location

Flexible Meeting Space

Small Town Charm, Big City Amenities

Unwind & Unplug

Ready to meet more? Scan to start planning or contact Dorothy Mott at Dorothy@meetmtp.com

MEETINGS WITH A VIEW The Inn at Harbor Shores is a waterfront resort where meetings, guest rooms, dining, and team experiences come together in a walkable property, with ﬂexibility and personalized service to make planning easier.

800 Whitwam Drive, St. Joseph MI 49085 | InnAtHarborShores.com For more information | events@InnAtHarborShores.com | (269) 983.1111 MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 15

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 15

9/11/26 3:01 PM

DE ST I NAT ION Great Lakes Bay Region

Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, featuring the National Historic Landmark USS Edson, also in Bay City. Daily sunset cruises on the Princess Wenonah depart in-season at the Bay City Boat Lines Wenonah Park Dock. Midland is packed with cultural attractions, including Dow Gardens, which recently opened a 22,000-square-foot welcome center. Its 110-acre display of annuals and perennials is highlighted by distinctive bridges, a children’s garden, towering pines, and water features. Midland Center for the Arts, combining stage performances with museum experiences, is undergoing an expansive, $53 million renovation. Wrapping up late this year, the improvements will enhance accessibility while transforming the museum with reimagined galleries and interactive exhibits. “As part of the renovation, we also expanded what we call our community rooms, conference and meeting spaces that sit up to 200 folks in a myriad of setups,” says Josh Holliday, vice president of marketing, communications, and sales at the center. There also is a new kitchen, along with additional spaces for private event rentals, including a 1,500-seat auditorium. Birch Run is home to Wilderness Trails Zoo and Birch Run Speedway and Event Center. In Frankenmuth, the Michigan Heroes Museum houses the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. Nearby, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland offers a huge selection of all things Christmas in a massive 320,000-square-foot building. Michigan’s oldest continuously operating wool-processing mill, Frankenmuth Woolen Mill, has been in action since 1894. It specializes in handcrafted wool bedding and multiple other

products that can be purchased from its charming storefront. Groups can participate in its immersive “Maker Tour” that is part history lesson, part observation, and gives attendees the chance to create a wool dryer ball to take home. “Our ‘Maker Tour’ has become one of our most popular group experiences,” says Frankenmuth Woolen Mill co-owner Matt Curtis. “It combines history, American manufacturing, and a hands-on activity in about an hour. It’s an experience that is interactive, memorable, and uniquely Frankenmuth.” gogreat.com

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Bay Valley Resort, Go Great Lakes Bay

Bay Valley Resort in Bay City; Below: The Tridge, a distinctive three-legged wooden footbridge in Midland

16 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 16

9/11/26 3:01 PM

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 17

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Bay Valley Resort, Go Great Lakes Bay

VEN UE REP ORT Golf Resorts & Courses

The Cottage at Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck

Meet Up & Tee Up at Golf Venues Opportunities for play and camaraderie enhance the benefits of a gathering

» BAY VALLEY RESORT is back in full swing after nine months of renovations. The Bay City golf resort’s 147-room hotel, featuring more than 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space, received $15 million in updates last year. The property marked completion of that work with an October event celebrating its new and improved digs for groups wanting to build golf into their meeting itineraries. Bay Valley’s 18-hole championship golf course is the only one in Michigan designed by golf-course architect Desmond Muirhead, known for his creative courses, says Doug Temple, a PGA-certified golf instructor, course-development advocate, and director of golf operations at the resort. “For where we are in mid-Michigan, I can’t think of any other facility like ours,” Temple says, referring to the property’s

all-inclusive nature. Golf, of course, is a big draw. “Obviously, the meetings we have seen are here for specific business, but at the same time, [the golfing encourages] people to be more engaged because it’s not all work,” Temple says. That’s the point of holding a meeting at a golf resort: working a little and playing a little, as well as getting some exercise. The camaraderie that comes with it all helps make the most of time spent away. Drummond Island Resort is another full-service golf destination, located just east of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Drummond Island and hosting smaller groups of up to 100 attendees for retreats and events. Originally built as a corporate retreat and private resort for Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, it’s set on 2,000 acres and includes primar y

meeting space that faces Lake Huron’s Potagannissing Bay. Attendees can stay in its 40-room lodge, with 15 executive-style cabins also available. The Rock is Drummond Island Resort’s 18-hole Harry Bowers-designed championship golf course, which General Manager Dan Sirrine says is the top draw from May to October. “It’s literally carved out of the woods,” he says. “It’s a phenomenal course.” Sirrine notes there’s plenty more to do, too, including paintballing, renting bikes, kayaking, paddleboarding, and walking on miles of trails. In the Lower Peninsula city of Gaylord, golf is a big factor in attracting corporate groups to Treetops Resort, says Director of Sales Mike Flynn. With 209 standard hotel rooms, plus condominiums, chalets, and cottages; full banquet services;

PHOTO RedWater Events/Ashlen Wolfram Photography

BY KATHY GIBBONS

18 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 18

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTO RedWater Events/Ashlen Wolfram Photography

MEET HERE

PLAY HERE

Meet. Mingle. Make it a Memorable Getaway. Shores & Islands Ohio is a year-round destination featuring more than 8,000+ rooms, over 615,000 sq. ft. of convention and meeting space, plus acres of outdoor event venues. Enjoy island-hopping cruises, breweries and wineries, historical attractions, amusements, water parks, beaches, golf, sailing, and many other outdoor leisure options. Ask about our Conference Support Grant - up to $5000! . Find your Lake Erie Love at Meetings.SHORESandISLANDS.com Contact Emma Melter at emma@shoresandislands.com or 419-624-6924 to plan your adventure today!

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 19

IT’S A SHORE THING

9/11/26 3:01 PM

VEN UE REP ORT Golf Resorts & Courses

a nd a recently renovated convention center, Treetops also features an 18-hole Jones Masterpiece golf course and the par-3, nine-hole Rick Smith-designed Threetops course on-property. The resort operates three additional courses nearby. “Especially with our par-3 Threetops course, the draw is there for a lot of groups when they are short on time and have a busy schedule,” Flynn says. “[Playing] 18 holes isn’t always an option, but on a course like Threetops, it only takes about an hour and a half to play.” Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth offers 124 guest rooms and suites; more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including its recently opened Monarch Ballroom accommodating up to 1,500 attendees; and golf among The Cardinal Golf Course, a seven-hole short course, and 2-acre putting course. “It creates a destination to bond, both in the boardroom and on the greens,” says Area Managing Director Dustin Dent. The resort also customizes team-building experiences that are more socially driven—say, putting parties—and offer a laid-back

and welcoming golfing experience for players of all levels, Dent adds. Ba sed in Gra nd R apids, RedWater Events operates 10 golf venues that provide banquet service, as well as meeting a nd event spaces. These include Macatawa Golf Club in Holland; Muskegon Country Club; Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck; Tullymore Golf Resor t and St. Ives Golf Course in Stanwood; StoneWater Country Club in Caledonia; Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville; and Thornapple Pointe Golf Club, Watermark Country Club, and Thousand Oaks Golf Club in Grand Rapids. RedWater’s Director of !E vents Vanessa Snelgrove-Gould says groups enjoy the team bonding golf provides. “It’s really seamless to do a meeting in the morning, then have a light lunch or box lunches, and head out to play 18,” she says. “No one has to travel or get in their vehicle and go to another spot. And we also have the food and beverage component at all our locations. It makes them one-stop shops for planners.” Many RedWater venues are private clubs, giving attendees a chance

to play courses they might not be able to otherwise. Lodging is available at Tullymore Golf Resort and St. Ives Golf Course. Bucks Run Golf Club in Mount Pleasant has limited lodging, but it works with a rea hotels to secure sleeping rooms for golf-outing participants. Bucks Run accommodates up to 250 for banquets, with its public 18-hole golf course including a full driving range, putting greens, and chipping areas. “We book the lodging, as well as all the courses,” says the club’s Head Golf Professional Emily Cutler, noting Bucks Run also hosts up to 144 people for a shotgunstart tournament. “Not only do we book our course, but we work with several other [courses]. We will put together whatever custom trip groups want—however many rounds, however many nights.” bayvalley.com bucksrun.com drummondisland.com redwaterevents.com saintjohnsresort.com treetops.com

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Drummond Island Resort, RedWater Events

Grand Rapids’ Thornapple Pointe Golf Club; Left: Russell Cabin at Drummond Island Resort

20 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 20

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Drummond Island Resort, RedWater Events

… g n i t e e m a n a h t e r o m r o F

Plan an experience. With unique venues, affordable accommodations, and a team that’s here to help, Flint & Genesee is ready to host your next event.

Learn more at ExploreFlintandGenesee.org

CRYSTALMORE

MEETINGS & CONFERENCES WITH PLENTY OF PERKS

YOUR AGENDA: MORE THAN MEETINGS. Golf. Swim. Bike. Hike. Shop. Relax in the award-winning Crystal Spa. Or all of the above. Call to book your next Crystal Mountain meeting: 877-881-8961.

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 21

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 21

9/11/26 3:01 PM

Wellness

ON THE AGENDA

HOW PLANNERS INCORPORATE HEALTH-SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES AND FOODS INTO MEETINGS

hen Ashley Builta plans meetings and events for the Lansing-based Michigan Pharmacists Association, she’s mindful about incorporating wellness. From creating special breaks and providing fidget toys to undergoing training to deliver health-related guidance herself, she takes a holistic approach to serving attendees. “I’m dealing with pharmacy professionals,” says Builta, the organization’s director of meetings and education. “These are scientists. They are very much used to: You come in, you sit down, you get your education, and maybe you get up to get food. They’re very continuing education-focused. But I’m trying to be intentional about building in that downtime, building in those spaces, or building a moment that helps center them and remind them that wellness is important.”

She’s not alone. Corporate and nonprofit meeting planners across the state are partnering with resorts and other facilities to keep wellness top of mind. While they flesh out itineraries and offerings for attendees, they’re looking to their vendors for options that range from healthier food choices during breaks to chair massages in the hallway or yoga on a mountaintop. BEYOND THE SPA Resorts are rising to the occasion, bringing services out of their spas and into meeting spaces. Ashley Ferguson, general manager at Blush Salon + Spa inside the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center, says her staff created what they call “wellness breaks,” with a variety of offerings available, in response to meeting planners’ interest.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Boyne Mountain Resort, Island Resort & Casino, Crystal Mountain

By Kathy Gibbons

22 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 22

9/11/26 3:01 PM

Clockwise from left: Attendees walk to a Yoga in the Sky session at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls; Hot stone massage at Island Resort & Casino in Harris; Healthy food option at Crystal Mountain near Thompsonville

“One of the offerings is our somatic session,” Ferguson says. “We guide [attendees] through essentially a breathing, stretching, and intentionality session. We can customize it for the group based on what they’re needing.” With another option, an energized stretching break, attendees participate in a guided activity aimed at improving posture, boosting energy, and increasing blood flow. “It’s a great way to begin any type of meeting and get everybody ready to go,” she says. Blush also offers what’s called a “spa cafe.” Ferguson says, “It’s essentially a DIY facial paired with a meal.” She says each food course is accompanied by a skin-care course. “Our chef customizes the meal to tie it to the skin-care program.” Ferguson says all these activities combine to make an event more memorable. “It’s almost like your little gift bag to go,” she says, “except it’s an experience they get to remember.” At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, near Traverse City, groups can sign up for offerings like yoga, Pilates, and aqua aerobics. “It’s all those wellness pieces that start your day and put you in that more meditative, relaxed mindset to move forward with a full day of conferences, sessions, and networking,” says Communications Manager Caroline Rizzo. Sound baths also have been in demand, she notes. “It’s 50 minutes of calmness and almost forced restfulness, turning off everything around you, with candles, darkness, and meditative sound bowls and gongs that put you into a deep relaxation,” she says.

“Sometimes, you’re in a training and you just need a little break. Massage therapists are there to relax those muscles.”

Island Resort & Casino in the Upper Peninsula c om mu n it y of H a r r i s recently under went an expansion to accommodate la rger conventions. Besides scheduling groups for the spa, it provides on-location –KARA PASCO-JOHNSON massages at events. “We’ll have SPA DIRECTOR, the massage therapist down in the ISLAND RESORT & CASINO hallway of the convention [area] who will do chair massages or massageby-the-minute,” says Spa Director Kara Pasco-Johnson. “Sometimes, you’re in a training and you just need a little break. Massage therapists are there to relax those muscles.” At the boutique Ovid Inn Event Center in downtown Ovid, owner Jennifer Nilsson is offering a f lexible, comfortable, and affordable group lodging and event space in a historic structure that opened in the 1800s as a horse-tack factory. Groups who stay there can take advantage of yoga instruction and painting classes. “We do have an athletic-based linedancing experience,” Nilsson adds. “It’s meant to be an approachable, all ages welcome, all skills welcome class that makes it fun to get your heart rate up.” Jenni Muscat, director of catering a nd convention ser v ices at MGM Grand Detroit, says the hotel offers wellness breaks featuring

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 23

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 23

9/11/26 3:01 PM

“The outdoors, the fresh air, and our ability to be creative in our green spaces really lend themselves to a great meeting that has wellness built into it.” –JUDY BOOTH VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, BOYNE RESORTS

MOTHER NATURE’S ROLE Many conference venues are serendipitously set in picturesque outdoor settings that provide opportunities for respite and recharging. “[Our venues] have so much outdoor space—that’s where they differ from the typical urban destination,” says Judy Booth, vice president of sales for Boyne Resorts, which includes Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, The Highlands at Harbor Springs, and Inn at Bay Harbor near Petoskey. “The outdoors, the fresh air, and our ability to be creative in our green spaces really lend themselves to a great meeting that has wellness built into it.” That could mean a guided mountain walk, or starting the day with tai chi on a hilltop or yoga on Boyne Mountain’s SkyBridge Michigan. Curated wellness breaks are another option at the properties. “They are 15-minute breaks guided by a professional who can give you breathing exercises,” Booth says. “Another one that’s really hot lately is the sound-bath experience.” Booth notes planners also often incorporate healthy food and beverages into wellness breaks. Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dana Orlando says groups can arrange for guided bike tours around the island, as well as engage in independent biking, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, golf, pickleball, and swimming. That’s in addition to

MIM+E FA26 Wellness Feature-LB.indd 24

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Inn at Bay Harbor, Grand Hotel

chair massage, mini-massages, and aromatherapy. “We have had groups do yoga on the pool deck or sound baths on the pool deck,” she adds. One especially outside-of-the-box practice Muscat has observed was one group’s “walking meeting.” She says, “They walked around the meeting space and then outside to green spaces across the street from us while they had their breakout. It got people engaged and got them out, and there was no added expense.” MGM Grand Detroit also has wellness-focused overnight rooms that provide vitamin C showers (to help neutralize chlorine and promote healthy hair and skin), sound machines, aromatherapy, essential oils, and air purifiers. There even is a dawn simulator alarm-clock option that gradually increases the light in a darkened room for those extra-early mornings. At Crystal Mountain near Thompsonville, Spa Director Kimberly Acker says staff work with groups to personalize wellness elements for events. “It can be as simple as a yoga class or as adventurous as taking the chairlift to the top of the mountain and having a bonfire,” she says.

9/11/26 4:03 PM

From below left: Sound bath at Inn at Bay Harbor; Bocce at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Inn at Bay Harbor, Grand Hotel

flexible group wellness offerings like sunrise yoga and chair massages. “Our philosophy is really centered on giving groups the flexibility to incorporate wellness in a way that fits their attendees,” Orlando says. Sometimes it’s just a matter of building free time into the schedule so attendees can recharge. “We get a lot of people taking advantage of our 900-acre property and its sidewalk and trails,” Rizzo says. “We have a 5-kilometer path that runs through, and a lot of groups incorporate that. Our health club sets up a start and finish line and gives them a running route.” At Michigan Legacy Art Park, which sits on land adjacent to and donated by Crystal Mountain, meeting groups can participate in yoga and meditation, or enjoy music or a presenter in the park’s natural setting, Acker says. Winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing and fat-bike rides. ON THE MENU Offering fresh fruits and other heathy options for breaks and meals is another way planners can be mindful about heath. For example, Boyne Resorts properties can prepare fresh fruit juices in lieu of premade ones for a healthier treat. Rizzo says yogurt bars and smoothies make good alternatives to traditional breakfast fare. “Farm-to-table [dining] is big, because that is fresh, not processed,” Booth says. “Fresh fruit bars are good, and salad bars

also are a big one. I love to do [salad bars] for meetings because you’re not going to exclude anybody.” Gluten-free options are always included when you book catering at Boyne Resorts properties, Booth adds. “We have gluten-free breads and that type of thing that we automatically serve,” she says. Muscat says food options at MGM Grand Detroit already lean toward wellness, and the staff can customize them for groups. “There’s no heavy lifting for the planners,” she says. The hotel often serves wellness shots, a crowd favorite, containing ingredients like ginger or turmeric. “They’re sort of a freshpressed juice, and they are often locally sourced,” she says. “They’re really popular for early morning after the night networking reception, or maybe people just need a little hydration in the morning.” The Group Culinary Program at Grand Hotel includes housepressed juices, overnight oats, Greek yogurt parfaits, egg-white bites, and other lighter fare, in addition to classic favorites, Orlando notes. All of it—the food, activities, and opportunities to recharge and de-stress—helps maximize the event’s value to attendees. “Planners are saying, ‘We have to make that part of our agendas,’” Booth says. “You should have some type of wellness [component]—even that 15-minute stretch. They say if you do these things, it increases productivity.”

boyneresorts.com

islandresortandcasino.com

choicehotels.com

mgmgranddetroit.mgmresorts.com

crystalmountain.com

michiganpharmacists.org

grandhotel.com

michlegacyartpark.org

grandtraverseresort.com

ovidinn.com

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 25

MIM+E FA26 Wellness Feature-LB.indd 25

9/11/26 4:05 PM

I N D U STRY U P DAT E The Meetings Beat

Acrisure Amphitheater

» THERE’S A NEW VENUE in town, and it’s turning out to be a game changer for Grand Rapids. Rave reviews have been coming one after another since Acrisure Amphitheater, the $184 million open-air music and event venue, debuted on the downtown riverfront in May. “It’s been pretty amazing,” says Jen Henkel, director of sales for the venue’s management company, New York City-based Legends Global. “People are loving the venue itself, they’re enjoying the concerts, and they’re happy with what’s on the calendar.” The 12,000-seat facility—7,000 fixed seats and 5,000 lawn seats—is set on 10 acres and features a canopy the size of a football field. It includes food and beverage spaces, a performance platform, and dedicated facilities for ticketing and refreshments, according to Southfield-based Barton Malow, co-builder of the Acrisure Amphitheater (along with Pioneer Construction of Grand Rapids). Henkel says its principal function is providing space for outdoor concerts. In addition to that, the amphitheater offers opportunities for groups to hold private events and smaller gatherings in tandem with already-scheduled shows and on nonshow days, Experience Grand Rapids Vice President of Sales and Services Mary Manier says.

Henkel says party decks offer soft seating and high-tops, with space for a private bar and food service on some levels that smaller groups can occupy during concerts. A buyout of the whole facility is suited to larger groups of 600 to 1,000 attendees, and Legends Global handles the catering. “Groups could either use the stage or the general admission area next to the stage—or a mixture of both,” Henkel explains. “They could have it set up for a banquet, or they could have a reception that uses high-tops.” There’s extra expense associated with reserving the amphitheater for a night that might have been booked for a concert. “The rental fee will be high enough to offset the cost of taking [that date] off the calendar,” Henkel notes. Meeting groups already are inquiring about and booking the venue. For example, a fashion show held in conjunction with the Grand Rapids community’s annual ArtPrize event, typically held at DeVos Place, will be moving to the amphitheater this year. “It is another asset for our destination,” Manier says. “It provides an opportunity to convention attendees when they are gathering in our city.” acrisureamphitheater.com

Gypsy Distillery Opens Additional Venue G

ypsy Distillery in Petoskey opened The Conservatory in July. The new 5,000-square-foot event venue overlooking Little Traverse Bay is down the hill from the main distillery building. Venue and Event Manager Kaeli Stolt says it accommodates 250 seated attendees or more for strolling events. “We wanted to offer an event space that fully immerses guests in the beauty of northern Michigan while seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor elements,” she says, noting The Conservatory has an auxiliary building that includes bathrooms and a full bar. Groups can choose from Gypsy’s list of preferred caterers or get approval to bring in their own. gypsydistillery.com

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW LEFT) Rose Photo, Legends Global, The Captured Co. PEOPLE NEWS PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) Coldwater Country Conference & Visitors Bureau, Traverse City Tourism, Choose Lansing, It’s Wonderful Photography, Experience Grand Rapids, Choose Lansing

AMPHITHEATER DEBUTS IN GRAND RAPIDS

The Conservatory at Gypsy Distillery

26 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 26

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PROPERTIES SPRING UP IN MARQUETTE » MARQUETTE IS WELCOMING the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Marquette, which is accepting reservations for Nov. 1 and beyond. Adjacent to the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Marquette, it shares a lobby, bar, breakfast, pool areas, and fitness studio. Lynne Stiebe, general manager for both properties, says the new hotel will feature 53 guest rooms and a meeting space accommodating up to 50, depending on setup, plus an outdoor deck. Also in Marquette, Bluff Street Station is a restored historic event venue downtown that opened in June and supports gatherings of up to 210 attendees. “Originally built as an auto-service station, the building has been thoughtfully transformed into a modern event space that still reflects its industrial roots and historic character,” says owner Amanda Knaffla. Those renting the space can select their own caterers, bar services, DJs, and other suppliers. bluffstreetstation.com | marriott.com

PEOPLE NEWS Stephanie Burdick is the new executive director of the Coldwater Country C on fer enc e & V i s it or s Bureau. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, business operations, logistics, a nd com mun it y enga gement , Burdick most recently served as community engagement coordinator for the cit y of Coldwater a nd the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities and previously served as operations director at Tibbits Opera House. She succeeds Debra Prater, who retired this year.

Traverse Cit y Tou r i sm named Nick Nerbonne communications director. With a 25-plus-year career in media, marketing, and communications, he most recently served as the media and digital director for Travel Michigan and the Pure Michigan campaign, a role that involved taking the reins on communications, content, and digital media strategy Previously, Nerbonne held positions in the Traverse City area at The Homestead in Glen Arbor, as well as Crystal Mountain near Thompsonville.

Allison Urlaub joined Choose Lansing as sales and services coordinator. Here, she will support the organization’s sa les and services team in delivering experiences for meetings, events, and visitors to Greater Lansing. A graduate of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Urlaub hold s a bachelor ’s deg ree i n advertising management. She previously completed internships at the A lpena Downtown Development Authority and Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, also in Alpena.

Choose Lansing promoted Jenn Morden to director of event experiences. She joined the organization in 2022 as its convention services and events manager. In her new role, Morden will continue coordinating services to support meetings, while taking on expanded responsibilities, including developing and delivering familiarization tours and planning site visits for prospective clients. She also will launch an initiative to strengthen communication and collaboration among hotel, venue, and event professionals.

Experience Grand Rapids pre sent e d J o n N u n n with the Dr. Floyd Wilson Jr. Destination Champion Award at its annual Toast of the Town luncheon in May. Nunn served as the first executive director of Grand Action (the forerunner of Grand Action 2.0), an organization that played a key role in transformative projects, including the creation of Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, and the Grand Rapids Dow ntow n Ma rket . Add itiona l ly, he served on the Experience Grand Rapids board of directors for 27 years.

Liz Ware, vice president of sales and marketing at Mackinac Island’s Mission Point Resort, is now chair of t he M ich iga n Travel Commission. Established in 1945, the commission is a 13-member board appointed by the governor to promote, maintain, and develop the growth of Michigan’s tourism and travel industry. During this 20th-anniversary year of the Pure Michigan marketing campaign, the travel commission will implement a new master plan that focuses on the long-term needs of the industry.

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 27

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 27

9/11/26 3:01 PM

I N D USTRY U P DAT E The Meetings Beat

DETROIT ON DISPLAY FOR MARRIOTT SALES EXECUTIVES

The Department at Hudson’s

» THE MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL account sales and national group sales team held its annual strategy meeting in Detroit in mid-March. The event brought together about 400 professionals from the two entities—representing approximately $4 billion in annual spend from their clients’ bookings into Marriott properties—along with about 200 primarily North American Marriott hoteliers. Trina Anthony is director of sales and marketing for The Department at Hudson’s, an event venue owned by Detroit-based developer Bedrock and located in the 12-story building adjacent to the new Hudson’s Detroit skyscraper. In partnership with Troy-based catering company Forte Belanger, Marriott manages The Department at Hudson’s, as it does Bedrock’s The Detroit EDITION luxury hotel slated to open next year in the skyscraper tower. The Marriott group held its meetings and other events at The Department at Hudson’s, with participants staying in some of Marriott’s nine downtown Detroit properties. Anthony says it was a feather in Detroit’s cap to be the host. Beyond tending to business, attendees got a chance to experience the best of the city, including enjoying a Detroit-themed evening supported by Rock Events, with foods from locally owned businesses, music, and other activations. “Marriott represents 10,000 hotels around the world,” Anthony adds. “I believe we created 600 advocates for Detroit and Michigan.” marriott.com

ctor-musician Jeff Daniels partnered with Chelsea’s Tannin Property Group to open a new venue called JD’s Stage Bistro in downtown Chelsea in August. Architect and Tannin partner Aaron Vermeulen says he configured the 150-year-old building with stone walls to make way for an intimate live-music performance space with 136 seats, a wine bar, restaurant with wood-fired pizza and shareables, and patio. Several spaces, including The Newsroom, named after the acclaimed HBO drama Daniels starred in, are available for private gatherings of up to 70 seated. Daniels’ daughter-in-law, Amanda Daniels, serves as venue director, with Chef Nate Wegryn helming the kitchen. A Chelsea native, Jeff Daniels also founded the nearby Purple Rose Theatre Co. jdsstagebistro.com

Back row: Aaron Vermeulen, Jeff Daniels, and Roy Farmer Front row: Nate Wegryn, Ben Daniels, and Amanda Daniels

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) The Department at Hudson’s, Nina Herrst

Celebrity Partners on Chelsea Venue

28 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 28

9/11/26 3:01 PM

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) The Department at Hudson’s, Nina Herrst

Be the first to know what’s new in your region’s meetings and events industry. Our monthly enewsletter brings local news, industry intel, and inspiration straight to you— no scrolling required.

» SIGN UP NOW!

FRESH IDEAS, RIGHT IN YOUR INBOX

G O E T TH E ER M O

sales@kensingtonannarbor.com | www.kensingtonannarbor.com 734-761-1799

MEETINGSMAGS.COM/MICHIGAN 29

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 29

9/11/26 3:01 PM

S NAP S HOT S National Travel & Tourism Week Kickoff

Celebrating the Value of Tourism

1. Janice Chittle and Kendra Kingsbury 2. Kelly Wolgamott 3. Dan McCole 4. Amber Ressl and Brandy Miller 5. Jennifer Sistrunk 6. Laura Wiltz and Sarah Langlois 7. Michigan Maritime Museum 8. Chris Rowley

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

PHOTOS Visit South Haven

Tourism leaders throughout Michigan gathered at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven this May to kick off National Travel and Tourism Week. With this year’s theme being “Postmarked: Essential,” the event highlighted the industry’s critical role in driving the state’s economy and supporting communities statewide. It was hosted by the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan in partnership with Pure Michigan and Visit South Haven, reflecting the message that travel is fundamental to economic growth, workforce development, and community vitality. Media attending the kickoff festivities connected with tourism partners and destinations from throughout Michigan, conducted interviews, and explored the museum, which highlights the region’s connection to the Great Lakes.

30 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 30

9/11/26 3:01 PM

ORDER A PRINTED COPY OR VIEW THIS GUIDE ONLINE AT

visitmichigan.org

PHOTOS Visit South Haven

A STATEWIDE RESOURCE FOR YOUR MEETINGS AND EVENTS SCAN HERE

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 31

9/11/26 3:01 PM

P EOPLE P ROFI L E Verlonda Thompson

From Vision to Reality

Verlonda Thompson’s passion makes every event special BY KATHY GIBBONS

PHOTO Kristina Sikora

he baby shower Verlonda Thompson threw for her sister when she was 18 piqued her interest in events early on. “Seeing the laughter, connections, and joy in the room sparked something that has guided me ever since,” says Thompson, owner of Northville-based eventplanning company Very Best in Service. After college, she worked for the Northwest Airlines reservations center in Detroit, but selling Mary Kay cosmetics on the side turned out to have a larger impact on her career. A conversation with a visiting Northwest Airlines executive about purchasing cologne led to an offer for her to join the company’s outside sales team. “I relocated to Minnesota, partnered with travel advisors, then returned to Detroit,” she says. Thompson eventually became district sales manager in Detroit for Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises. Three years in, she was laid off, like so many others in her industry, following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Luckily, it wasn’t long before she was offered and accepted a role planning concerts for the city of Pontiac, a gig which ultimately inspired her to launch her first event-planning business. “I planned live concerts for the city of Pontiac that summer and spent 18 months as a freelancer, planning events for Audi and Volkswagen and developing a new events department for Rev. Wendell Anthony, pastor of Fellowship Chapel in Detroit,” she says. Her work for the car brands, both owned by Volkswagen Group of Wolfsburg, Germany, included managing incentive travel programs. Then came an opportunity in 2007 to join Visit Detroit as a convention services manager. That led to a role as an event planner at Visit Detroit until 2013, when she became a meetings and events manager. “Detroit was making a comeback, and we sponsored so many events and familiarization trips,” she says. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry, Thompson pivoted and launched her current business, handling mostly corporate events, in 2021. She has never looked back, leaning on relationships with Detroit-area vendors and connections built over two decades to deliver for her clients. “I know successful events are about far more than logistics,” she says. “They are about building relationships, anticipating needs before they arise, solving complex challenges with confidence, and creating moments people remember long after the event ends. My greatest satisfaction comes from walking into a space, envisioning what’s possible, and bringing that vision to life, so every guest leaves feeling they were part of something truly special.” verybestinservice.com

32 MI M+E » FALL 2026

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 32

9/11/26 3:01 PM

Us!

PLAN YOUR NEXT MEETING WITH

Frankenmuthmeetings.com • 1-877-213-7664

Accommodates 5-500 Guests • 10 Breakout Rooms Custom Menus Available • Walking Distance to Downtown • and More!

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 3

9/11/26 3:01 PM

MEET SMARTER,

ISLAND STYLE

REQUEST A MEETING GUIDE

MACKINACISLAND.ORG

MIMEFA26 Book 1.indb 4

Annie Farrell, Group Tour Diva annie@mackinacisland.org | 906-847-3783

9/11/26 3:01 PM