With more than 160 years of combined meetings industry experience, our sales and service staffers are skilled at every aspect of the trade. They can assist you with venue selection, hotel accommodations, off-site events, vendor sourcing, logistics and more. They work closely with meeting partners…
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Downtown Grand Rapids is walkable – one of the top 14 walkable destinations in the U.S., according to Trips to Discover. Attendees at meetings and events held at any of the city’s downtown venues have everything they could need within a few short blocks. Take a look: Hotels There are 13 hotels…
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Many destinations have “signature events.” If you go to Hawaii, chances are you’ll attend a luau. Headed to Orlando? An event at Disney is likely in your future. But what about Grand Rapids, Michigan? That’s the question Amy Young, president of Destination Consultants, asked herself. “I realized…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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A lunch break is a great opportunity to explore the culinary scene in downtown Grand Rapids – especially because so many lunch options are located within a casual stroll of our convention center. We’ve compiled a list of eateries located a half mile or less from the intersection of Monroe Avenue and…
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