National honor, chosen by meeting planners and industry judges, recognizes Grand Rapids/Kent County's destination marketing organization as the Midwest's best
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Experience Grand Rapids has won a Gold Medal for Best Convention & Visitors Bureau/Destination Marketing Organization in the Midwest at the 2026 Northstar Stella Awards, presented by Northstar Meetings Group.
EXGR was recognized for its high-touch, consistent, clear communication with meeting planners.
“What makes the Stella Awards especially meaningful is who does the choosing,” said Mary Manier, EXGR Vice President of Sales & Services.
Unlike many industry honors, the Stella Awards combine votes from meeting planners, themselves, with scoring from a panel of independent industry judges. The medal was awarded by the professionals who work with and evaluate destinations across the country and who have experienced EXGR services firsthand. That distinction speaks to the quality of the work happening behind the scenes every time a conference or convention chooses Grand Rapids.
“We are honored that we’ve been recognized by the meeting planners and event organizers who work with our team members every day,” said Manier. “This award reflects the close collaboration between our sales and services teams and the planners we work with, and it's a reminder of why teamwork matters. When planners know they can count on us at every stage, they can focus on building a great experience for their attendees.”
EXGR continues to diversify its convention and meeting portfolio, attracting an average of 264 conventions and 176,150 attendees to Grand Rapids each year. Over half of those events draw regional and national participants—new audiences who experience the destination firsthand, increasing awareness of Grand Rapids as a premier meeting and leisure travel destination.
The economic impact of these conventions averages over $108 million annually. Over the past 10 years (excluding 2020 & 2021) the impact totals over $1 billion.
The premier online platform for business and sports event organizers, planners and incentive program professionals, Northstar Meetings Group honors excellence across 16 meetings industry categories. This is the second time EXGR earned this distinguished recognition, having been named a Gold Award winner in 2024.
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About Experience Grand Rapids
Established in 1927, Experience Grand Rapids leads the marketing of Grand Rapids/Kent County as a premier convention & visitor destination providing a significant positive impact to the West Michigan economy. Previously named the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau, EXGR represents the second largest city in Michigan with over one million residents.