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Content Creator's Application

Thank you for your interest in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area. Experience Grand Rapids will occasionally host individual content creators and journalists to visit the destination. These visits help media share stories, videos and images from their visit with their audiences, thereby expanding the outreach for the Grand Rapids area.

In 2026 we are shifting to a selective application process that will connect interested media with specific experiences. Experience Grand Rapids hopes this new process will help align media with a limited number of visits available and help contribute to achieving our storytelling goals.

Each chosen media guest will receive individualized planning and visit assistance.

If you are interested in partnering with our team and visiting during 2026, please complete the application below and provide us with your top campaign/experience for your visit that best aligns with your audience. Visits will also include additional activities that resonate with your audience.

Please note we reserve the right to close applications for specific opportunities once they have been filled. Most visit topics are limited to 2 media.

Application

Media will be chosen for visits based on their audience alignment, engagement and storytelling expertise. Only complete applications will be considered.

Tell us about yourself:

First Name*:

Last Name*:

Email*:

Do you agree to receive email from Experience GR?

Cell Phone*:

Where do you call home?*:

What is your Primary Channel?*:

What is your Primary Channel's URL?*:

What is your Secondary Channel?:

What is the Secondary Channel's Link?:

Facebook Page:

Instagram:

LinkedIn Page:

X (Twitter) Handle:

X (Twitter) Personal Page:

Pinterest:

YouTube:

TikTok:

Threads:

Choose one from the list of specific topics of interest

Winter:

World of Winter- Filled for 2026

This winter festival throughout downtown runs from 1/9/26- 3/1/26. All in-person visits must happen by 2/9/26. The festival is outdoors and is best seen at night. Additional experiences can include visits to other cultural museums and a hands-on experience.

Spring/Summer:

Butterflies are Blooming (March and April) - Filled for 2026

Frederik Meijer Gardens hosts the largest tropical butterfly exhibit in the US, showcasing stunning diversity and intricate beauty of butterflies. This is an ideal family experience.

Cider Week (May 8 – 16) & Apple blossoms (dates vary) - Filled for 2026

Explore local hard cideries and countryside where 80% of Michigan’s apple crop is grown. Visit will include Fulton Street Farmers Market (Wed, Fr and Sat).

Dale Chihuly Art Exhibit (May 1 – Nov 1) - Filled for 2026

Explore this expansive exhibition and the entire Meijer Gardens complex. Visits must be in May and June.

Live Music in the City

Acrisure Amphitheater (opening May), FMG (concert series), local venues. Journalists with music focus preferred. Visits will be timed to include live music experiences.

GRA250

Gerald R Ford Museum (visit and tell share the stories of President Ford, the bi-centennial President.)

Fall:

ArtPrize

Explore the transformational power of art in this all-new display featuring thousands of artists from across the globe as the city becomes a living canvas.

Apples and Agritourism (apples and art)

Taste and enjoy the fall harvest, visit farms where 80% of Michigan’s apple crop is grown, enjoy the fall colors and countryside.

Grand Rapids Public Museum new Anishinabek exhibit

Immerse experience of our first people. (Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10/12/26)

Grand Rapids African American Museum Archives - Filled for 2026

Now in an expanded location 41 Sheldon. We are looking for expanded storytelling about the museum’s collection. Visit will also include BIPOC owned businesses.

Holiday:

Christkindl Markt and Enlighten at Frederik Meijer Gardens

Celebrate the season at an authentic European market, experience theatrically illuminated sculpture and holiday trees at Meijer Gardens and explore neighborhoods for gifts and treasures.

All Seasons:

Outdoor Recreation - Filled for 2026

Grand Rapids is completing connections to 85 miles along the Grand River and opening expanded mountain bike trails.

Sports

Grand Rapids is home to several sports teams and regularly hosts sporting events. Grand Rapids Griffins (hockey), Grand Rapids Rise (Women’s Volleyball), Grand Rapids Gold (Basketball), West Michigan Whitecaps (baseball), Beer City Open (Pickleball), Meijer State Games, many college and university teams. (season aligns with sport)

Select One Topic of Interest*:

Tell us about your audience:

Describe your audience, their geographic location, how your chosen topic or experience matches what they're interested in, and explain why you're uniquely qualified to cover this subject.

Audience Size*:

Audience's Geographic Concentration*:

Where are they located?

Describe in detail how you and your audience will provide Experience Grand Rapids with the best coverage.*:

What deliverable are you proposing and what is your rate?*:

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Share more about your audience focus

Family Travelers
Couple Travelers
Solo Travelers
LGBTQ+ Travelers
BIOPOC Travelers
Accessibility Travelers
Other

Other Audience Focus:

Additonal Questions

Once an agreement has been finalized, we customarily provide the following support for media visits: overnight accommodation, parking or ride share, food and beverage reimbursement, attraction and experience admission, itinerary suggestions.

Are you traveling solo or with other guests?:

Please provide details about any additional guests:

Special equipment for your experience?:

Do you need transportation assistance?:

Are you on assignment or contribute regularly to media?:

Yes No

If yes, list the media.:

What are your specific requests for the destination, outside of hosting costs mentioned above?:

Please attached your Media Kit*:

Please attach your Rate Card*:

* Indicates a required field.

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