Special Section Advertising – Where to Meet, Where to Stay
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
800-236-1577 •
Conventional Altruism
Someone peeking inside Governors’ Hall at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa one afternoon in 2016 might have thought that a backpack manufacturer was conducting a new-product launch event.
Closer inspection would show dozens of folks lined up at tables, smiling and chatting while stuffing hundreds of school-kid totes with pencils, notebooks, and other supplies.
It was all part of the Michigan Society of Association Executives’ OrgPro conference, during which participants committed to make a difference in the community they were visiting.
Part of the Itinerary
Such altruistic activities have been a regular occurrence at the Resort for the past two years, says Ryan Buck, the Resort’s director of sales.
Annual Volunteering and Civic Life in America research released by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the National Conference on Citizenship shows that service to others continues to be a priority for millions of Americans. But it’s not always easy for individuals to find the time or means to volunteer.
Buck’s team stepped up to help address that dilemma with new strategies that might one day become standard practice at resorts around the world.
“Often, a group that’s coming to meet here already has an idea of what they want to do, and our team then helps facilitate the program,” says Buck, who is seeing more companies and organizations want to embrace such efforts during the course of a conference or meeting.
“And we at the Resort also like to give back,” Buck says. “For example, what good does it do to send a complimentary cheese tray to a VIP’s room when we can offer to do something in that VIP’s or company’s name here locally?”
For example, the Resort surveys clients in advance and through that learned of their client’s fervent wish that a cure for multiple sclerosis could be found because a close family member suffers daily from the disease.
“That’s personal. And I’m thinking, ‘What can we do?’” Buck says. “So we ended up making a donation to the National MS Society in our client’s name. She was in tears. She couldn’t believe a resort would do that. She said, ‘I get a fruit tray everywhere else I travel and I don’t need that.’ ”
Making an Impact
As for that backpack-filling effort at MSAE’s annual OrgPro 2016? One of its members, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, purchased the backpacks as the conference charity sponsor. MSAE then procured the school supplies.
“Through our philanthropic efforts at OrgPro 2016 at the Resort,” says MSAE’s Edward Woods, “we extended our values beyond our members to impact 100 kids in Traverse City.”
“We listened to our guests, including meeting guests and leisure guests, and we directly incorporated their desires and really reflected their wishes in the design,” Director of Sales Ryan Buck explained about the $7 million renovation of rooms in the iconic Tower at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, just outside of Traverse City.
Traverse City
www.TraverseCity.com • 800-940-1120
Whether hosting corporate retreats or athletic events, Traverse City offers an eclectic mix of lodging, meeting, and sporting venues that will ensure a successful — and inspirational — experience!
Over the years, this Michigan coastal retreat has made the transition from a rustic “Up North” resort town to a charmingly sophisticated small city. Its hotel and resort sleeping rooms number nearly 5,000, while meeting and event venues range from beautifully restored historic landmarks and stunning waterfront properties to full-service resorts and conference centers.
With hiking and biking trails, championship golf courses, ski slopes, and hundreds of miles of shoreline — including the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — the Traverse City region offers year-round outdoor recreation. Specialty shops, boutiques, art galleries, and concert halls offer plenty of indoor options, as well.
Traverse City is a famous wine-producing region, boasting more than 40 wineries and tasting rooms. It is also winning national acclaim for its fresh, imaginative regional cuisine; Bon Appetit Magazine has named it one of the country’s Top Five Foodie Towns.
For information on hosting your next meeting or event in Traverse City, please contact Traverse City Tourism at 800- 940-1120 or traversecity.com/meetings-conventions.
Andiamo
Services: 248-643-6000 • andiamocatering.com
Restaurants: andiamoitalia.com
We all know the Andiamo name provides authentic, delicious Italian food coupled with exceptional service. But did you know that beyond our nine locations in metro Detroit, we have an entire event and catering company? When Detroit’s top event producers want remarkable catering and event management, they call Andiamo. We’ve managed catering and food service for events from the Detroit Grand Prix to the Detroit Ford Fireworks. No matter how large or small, we provide unparalleled food and presentation, impeccable service, and flawless attention to detail for every event. Andiamo is the preferred caterer for several historic and distinctive locations throughout the metro Detroit area. We provide the same attention to detail and delectable menu choices for both corporate and social events at a variety of locations. Some of our preferred venues include Eastern Market, Piquette Plant, GM Heritage Center, and the Garden Theater. We also have a food truck that can visit your event and offer a truly unique experience for your guests. Let us cater to you!
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
313-442-1600 • bookcadillacwestin.com
Following a two-year, $200-million redevelopment, The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit opened in 2008 as a 453-room luxury hotel with sweeping guestroom views of the riverfront and the city skyline. Now included in the National Register of Historic Places, the Italian Renaissance-style hotel, built by Detroit’s famous Book brothers, was the tallest building in Detroit and the tallest hotel in the world at its completion in 1924. With its original historic splendor and a nod to contemporary amenities, the hotel has proudly served as the premier destination for major meetings, weddings, and events. It is home of celebrity chef Michael Symon’s Roast. Roast has been lauded with numerous awards as one of the best restaurants in the country.
In 2013, The Book was selected as the Westin North America Hotel of the Year by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, placing it at the top of 146 Westin hotels in North America. The hotel offers more than 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space, with the restored opulence of the Venetian and Crystal ballrooms and the famed Italian Garden. The new and spacious Woodward Ballroom has a contemporary look and vehicle accessibility. Guests can enjoy casual dining at 24grille, The Boulevard Room, and the WBC Gourmet Grab & Go, or relax in the elegant Motor Bar.
The Book — the perfect destination for renewal.
The Ford Conference and Event Center
The Ford Conference and Event Center 1151 Village Road, Dearborn, MI 48124
313-621-2900 • www.cec.ford.com
The Ford Conference and Event Center is a premier event facility with more than 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. It is located directly across from The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, and is only 15 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
A wide range of services are offered, from a knowledgeable audio/visual staff that can enhance your event’s technical details to a dedicated meeting planners’ room. The CEC also provides premier onsite catering, with firstclass service and selections. You and your guests will be assisted by experienced meeting professionals who are dedicated to helping you plan and execute a function that is well-organized, easy to navigate, and, ultimately, a huge success.
The impressive Grand Hall and spectacular Gallery offer nearly 10,000 square feet each and can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. With features large enough to accommodate a vehicle or other displays, it also serves as a memorable dining venue, and has maximum flexibility to accommodate grand-scale events and conferences. There are also a wide range of smaller group meeting spaces.
For an in-depth look at our facility, please visit our website at www.cec.ford.com or contact us at 313-621-2900. We look forward to servicing you soon.
Greater Lansing, Michigan CVB
www.lansing.org • 517-377-1409 • dbuckenberger@lansing.org
Greater Lansing, Michigan, has many names: the Capital City, Spartan Country — and the home of your next event!
The region offers more than 4,500 affordably priced hotel rooms set amid unique attractions, restaurants, and more. The Lansing Center, located downtown on the banks of the Grand River, has more than 71,000 square feet of columnfree exhibit space and an additional 25,000 square feet of pre-conference public space. The Radisson Hotel Lansing is conveniently connected to the Lansing Center via a covered pedway. Three miles away, on the scenic campus of Michigan State University, the 254,000-square-foot public arena, the Breslin Center, is adjacent to the award-winning Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
Greater Lansing is easily accessible and at the junction of most major highways. As the home of MSU and the seat of state government, some of the most influential minds in America are at your fingertips as speakers and panelists. For fun after your event, hop on the Makers & Shakers Trail and enjoy a tasting tour of the area’s finest craft beers, local wine, and small-batch spirits — there are more than a dozen to choose from!
Make your next event truly memorable. Choose Greater Lansing!
Suburban Collection Showplace: Here We Grow Again!
248-348-5600 • suburbancollectionshowplace.com
Event Center expands for the third time as it marks 25 years of business.
The Suburban Collection Showplace has been a gem in the metro Detroit community for 25 years, and is currently undergoing its third major expansion. The increasing demand to host larger events at a facility with continuous exposition and meeting space, onsite parking, and an attached hotel has called for further growth — and the Suburban Collection Showplace has answered!
At its present size, the Suburban Collection Showplace consists of two large (but divisible) ballrooms, three exposition halls, multiple meeting and conference rooms, and the attached Hyatt Place Hotel. With the expansion, the facility will be adding 90,000 square feet of exposition space; 14 meeting and banquet rooms, including a 24,000-square-foot second-story ballroom overlooking the new event center; and 16,000 square feet of upper- and lower-level pre-function space. The expanded facility will provide opportunities for hosting new entertainment events, athletic events, and more. Once the new space is completed in mid-2018, the Suburban Collection Showplace will be able to host events with as many as 8,000 people all under one roof.
For more information or to book an event, visit suburbancollectionshowplace.com or call 248-348-5600.
Automotive Hall of Fame
21400 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124
313-240-4000 • www.automotivehalloffame.org
The Automotive Hall of Fame is a unique, automotivethemed museum and a perfect place for breakfast meetings, dinner receptions, product walk-arounds, audio/visual presentations, press conferences, and new vehicle introductions. Whether you want a seated or strolling dinner, the Hall of Fame is very flexible.
The building’s dramatic, contemporary architecture provides an event space that’s different from anything else in the metropolitan Detroit area. It features an atrium with a vaulted glass ceiling, an auditorium/theater, a 30-person conference room, free on-site parking, and more.
The Automotive Hall of Fame offers different catering options to accommodate every budget level. For more information, contact Kathy Bastien at Kathy@thedrivingspirit.org or 313-240-4000.
Royal Oak Music Theatre
318 W 4th St., Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
586-944-8222 • www.romtlive.com
Event Planners are Superheroes.
They design kaleidoscopic events that are experiential, deliver brand messages, inspire creativity, build loyalty, honor individuality, and stay within budget. They exceed all expectations in a single bound!
Superhero, meet your squad. This is the part of the story where we come in. The Royal Oak Music Theatre is a fully-equipped event venue with state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and production capabilities. Our team of experienced event professionals will serve as your sidekicks, helping you create compelling moments that will transform your event into an unforgettable experience.
Together, we’ll save the day.
The Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center
586-421-5155 • banquet@iacsonline.com
The Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center is a full-service event venue, equipped to handle gatherings of all varieties, with rooms to fit anywhere from 20 to 300 attendees. Professional staff members provide first-class service for team-building sessions, group seminars, skill workshops, or company parties.
Newly updated sound and projection systems ensure crisp audiovisual presentations while the top-rated kitchen keeps guests full and focused. Located minutes away from The Mall at Partridge Creek, The IACS is easy to find for those coming from near or far. Speak to an event coordinator for a custom quote at 586-421-5155 or banquet@iacsonline.com.