We celebrated another record-breaking year at the Experience Grand Rapids Annual Meeting & Tourism Conference at Frederik Meijer Gardens on March 24.
The numbers tell a powerful story.
In 2025, Experience Grand Rapids and the West Michigan Sports Commission contracted 533 groups, generating 173,738 contracted room nights—the highest in our history. Those bookings represent 481,024 attendees and an estimated $193.5 million in total economic impact for Kent County.
With nearly 2.36 million rooms sold in Kent County last year, our visitor economy continues to build impressive momentum. We’re seeing strong demand across leisure, group and business travel, and it reflects the growing appeal of Grand Rapids as a destination. Those record room sales generated $290,636,770 in hotel revenue in 2025.
Every one of those figures exceeds 2024, which was itself a record-breaking year.
Group room night sales remain one of the clearest indicators of our impact. These bookings are the direct result of sustained, strategic sales efforts—meeting planners, tournament directors and tour operators choosing Grand Rapids and Kent County for events happening in 2025 and into the future. That means hotel occupancy, restaurant traffic, retail activity and local spending that supports jobs and strengthens our regional economy.
This success reflects strong collaboration. Our partners at the West Michigan Sports Commission continue to be instrumental in driving sports-related business, while our hospitality community along with arts and cultural institutions, professional sports teams and recreational venues consistently deliver experiences that keep planners coming back.
Momentum matters in this industry. Record-setting performance builds confidence, strengthens our competitive position and fuels long-term growth.
The momentum we celebrated at this year’s Annual Meeting isn’t the finish line, it’s the foundation for what comes next. With strong partnerships, growing demand and exciting developments ahead, we’re well positioned to keep building the visitor economy for Grand Rapids and Kent County.
