Groups are being drawn in by development in Detroit, Lansing, and beyond
Big things are happening in Michigan’s biggest city. Detroit is seeing new openings of restaurants, hotels, and other attractions virtually nonstop. One of the biggest new developments on the horizon is The District Detroit, a new, mixed-use, sporting and entertainment area encompassing 50 blocks of businesses, parks, restaurants, and more. The District will connect the city’s Downtown to its Midtown, creating one easily walkable area ideal for group outings and events. More than $1.2 billion is expected to be invested in the project, from both public and private sources, by 2020.
“Detroit is experiencing a transformation like no other time in its history,” says Dave Beachnau, senior vice president of sales, marketing, and sports for Visit Detroit. “With new hotel product, restaurants, and world-class attractions, Detroit is the place to be. The entire region offers so many options for meetings of all sizes, whether it be downtown or in a suburban location, metro Detroit is the perfect fit for your next meeting.”
The main feature of The District is the Little Caesars Arena, the new home of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and NBA’s Detroit Pistons, which opens this month with a series of Kid Rock performances. Beyond large-scale hockey, basketball, and entertainment events, the venue is also expected to provide a space for community activities, with on-site practice ice for amateur hockey players as well as an outdoor plaza for live entertainment.
It’s easier than ever to get around the city. This spring, Detroit launched its new QLine streetcar, serving 12 locations on a 6.6-mile route through the city’s Downtown and Midtown. The city also just launched its MoGo bike-share program, offering daily passes for $8 a day.
But some of the most significant developments in the city are happening in Detroit’s expanding hotel inventory. This past May saw the opening of the 100-room Foundation Hotel in the city’s historic Fire Department Headquarters (across the street from the Cobo Center). While the decor emphasizes modern luxury, it incorporates historic touches such as the firehouse’s red arched doors and glazed-brick tiles to showcase the unique aspects of the property. It also offers a rooftop ballroom and the first-floor restaurant, the Apparatus Room.
For groups looking to get some golfing in between meetings, this month MGM Grand Detroit unveils its new Topgolf Swing Suite. The space features three simulators, lounge seating, HDTVs, and food-and-beverage service, creating a social and interactive atmosphere for networking or unwinding after a conference. This adds to the 400-room, 56-suite property’s expansive offerings, including Wolfgang Puck Steak, the TAP at MGM Grand Detroit sports pub, and the luxurious IMMERSE spa.
Another new property in a historic building is the 106-room boutique hotel The Siren, set inside the Wurlitzer Building, following a $23 million transformation. It will include seven food-and-beverage outlets (including the eight-seat tasting counter from Garrett Lipar and a full-service, all-day restaurant) as well as a pair of retail shops.
The 130-room Shinola Hotel is expected to open next fall, featuring a mixed-use first floor (with retail, restaurants, and a living room area) and hotel rooms on its second through eighth floors, as well as meeting space. The property will offer dining options from Noho Hospitality and Chef Andrew Carmellini, and will be connected to an “activated alleyway” of additional retail.
Also expected to open next year: the debut property from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s new “eco-incubator” brand, Element Hotels, which will transform the Metropolitan Building into a mixed-use Element Detroit, with 110 rooms full of natural light as well as 2,000 square feet of meeting space, in addition to an outdoor patio. Home decor brand West Elm will also be opening a hotel in Detroit: The 120-room boutique property will be part of a mixed-use development that will include retail and housing space.
But not all the meetings action in Michigan is happening in Detroit. In the center of the state, FireKeepers Casino Hotel boasts nine meeting spaces totaling 20,642 square feet, with the largest event space at 17,500 square feet. When not conducting business, visitors have a huge number of entertainment, dining, and relaxation options. There are high-end retail spots, a pool and fitness center, and restaurants ranging from the new Smoke ‘N Fire barbecue to the Mijem Buffet to the more formal Nibi.
A Capitol Option
Michigan’s capital city of Lansing offers plenty of attractions for group events as well. The city is within 90 minutes of 90 percent of Michigan’s population, and in close proximity to the state capitol and Michigan State University (MSU), allowing groups access to legislators and thought leaders for their events.
“The Greater Lansing region has so much new development and activity, which we have been showcasing to our events taking place in town,” says Julie Pingston, CMP, CTA, senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We have new hotels opening around town; our restaurants are featuring amazing farm-to-table culinary dishes; our brewpubs and distilleries are creating experiences with craft drinks; and, there are engaging arts and cultural opportunities all around the region. It’s a great time to experience all that the Lansing area offers.”
Among the area’s top meeting venues is the Lansing Center, offering 71,760 square feet of column-free exhibit space as well as 12 breakout rooms. Located in the center of the city and within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and a number of museums, it also offers a skybridge connecting the center to the neighboring Radisson Hotel Lansing at the Capitol (which offers 10,000 square feet of its own meeting space).
The nearby MSU campus also offers a number of event spaces for groups of all sizes. The on-campus Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center includes 32 function rooms covering 35,000 square feet of flexible event space that can accommodate meetings ranging from 12 to 1,000 attendees (with a team of on-site service professionals to assist). For larger gatherings, the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education offers a 77,000-square-foot exhibit area, 8,500-square-foot auditorium, and arena that seats 2,000 people.
Additional popular meeting hotels in the area include the East Lansing Marriott at University Place, with almost 13,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Crowne Plaza Lansing West, with more than 17,000 square feet of flexible banquet space and a ballroom that can hold up to 1,000 guests.
A new 139-room Homewood Suites is opening its doors this fall, offering suites that include a full kitchen, hot breakfast, and high-speed Internet. It also offers a 672-square-foot meeting space for groups.
Another recent property available for groups is the 125-room, six-suite Hyatt Place Lansing/Eastwood Towne Center, offering guests banquet and meeting space as well as an outdoor pool. The all-suite Residence Inn by Marriott–East Lansing includes a 624-square-foot meeting room, while the 101-room, 15-suite Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Lansing at Eastwood offers a pool, fitness center, and group booking options.
“Now is a great time to visit Greater Lansing,” says Brenda Haight, CMP, CTA, sales manager for Greater Lansing CVB. “The region offers small-town charm, but with big-city amenities including diverse restaurants, attractions, theater, breweries, and distilleries. Flexible and innovative meeting space combined with our central Midwest location makes it easy for attendees to get here.”
She adds that the city’s friendly service and nearly 500 Certified Tourism Ambassadors can help to provide a memorable experience to visiting groups.
