Grand Rapids was first dubbed Beer City USA in 2012. Since then, its reputation, and the reason for it, has only grown. Experts and readers of USA Today voted Grand Rapids number one on a list of 10 cities with the best beer scenes in 2021. The good news for meeting planners and conference attendees…
Read More
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…
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. Two expansive murals and a large stone sculpture completed by local artists…
Read More
When you hear the term “international meeting,” your brain might automatically go to large cities like New York City or Los Angeles. But smaller destinations, like Grand Rapids, Michigan, have a lot to offer meeting planners and their international attendees, including a more personable experience…
Read More
Meeting planners, is the bottom line hanging over your head when you search for a destination? You might find more budget-friendly options by skipping the popular, first-tier locations and looking at…
Read More
Meeting planners know that accessibility is a key component to successful conferences, meetings and events. In addition to being within a day's drive of the half of the U.S. population, Grand Rapids'…
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
Food and beverage teams at hotels and meeting venues have to be flexible to cater to the needs of their various clients. Meal planning for hundreds of high school students might look very different…
Read More
When Experience Grand Rapids began working with an organization that would bring 3,000 mostly Hindu attendees to the city, they reached out to Fred Stella, Prachark (which is Sanskrit for Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple. Tapping Local Expertise “The attitude [Experience Grand…
Read More
When it comes to easy and efficient air travel, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is in a bit of a sweet spot. It’s big enough to be serviced by five airlines and feature 24 nonstop flights to major cities, but small enough to be easy to navigate and get in and out…
Read More
