Meeting planners are well aware of the cost advantages of midsized cities vs. first-tier meeting destinations. It’s just that affordability often takes a back seat to the allure and amenities of larger metropolitan areas. Grand Rapids, Michigan is upending that calculation by investing in meetings…
Read More
A great outdoor event can be a spectacular experience that your guests will be talking about for days afterward. Whether the stories they tell are positive or negative will depend a lot on how much planning you put into it. Unlike indoor events, outdoor venues require a few extra checkboxes on your…
Read More
One of the best things about meeting in a new host city is the opportunity to get out and explore local flavors. One of the best things about meeting in Grand Rapids is the abundance of dining options within a casual stroll of our convention center. We’ve compiled a list of eateries located a half…
Read More
One of the many advantages of Grand Rapids’ downtown convention neighborhood is that it’s so compact – and every square inch of it is packed with fun things to see and do. Get some shopping in during a meeting break. Grab a quick lunch before you head back to the convention floor. Spend the evening…
Read More
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA, or GRR as it is known locally) became home to an impressive art collection as part of its commitment to highlight and support the thriving art culture in the Grand Rapids area. The installations — all created by local artists — are displayed on…
Read More
One of the joys of meeting in a new city is the opportunity to explore local shops and discover items you won’t find at home. With more than 70 retail destinations in our compact downtown, Grand Rapids makes it easy to slip away on a lunch break or after the meeting day to browse for everything from…
Read More
Off-site meetings can be game-changers, and, if you get creative with the location, they can be combined with a lot of effective team building – or just plain fun. Ever tried your hand at target ax throwing with your coworkers? Or ridden a funicular to get to your meeting site? How about…
Read More
As a meeting planner, it’s a wonderful thing when your convention center has everything you need for your event – true one-stop shopping. But sometimes it’s nice to take a meeting off-campus and enjoy the host city. The new environment might spark new ideas. "Every time I host an event or meeting…
Read More
If your organization is meeting in Grand Rapids, which has been known as Beer City USA since 2012, it would be a shame not to visit one of its many breweries. Fortunately, eight of them make it easy to mix business with some pleasure by offering meeting space within a short walk of the city’s…
Read More
You know the drill. There's a meeting, there's a budget, and you need to find the most effective venue to deliver the message. One of your first decisions is whether to hold the meeting offsite. There are lots of advantages to doing so, says Holly Froumis, Director of Business Development at Grand…
Read More
