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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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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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 100 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…
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Meeting planners know that the closing speaker is not the end of the experience. With great content delivered strategically, you can extend the reach of your event for weeks, months or even to the following year’s meeting. Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events and hospitality technology…
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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 take part of the meeting offsite from the host hotel or conference base. There are lots of advantages to doing so, says Amy Young…
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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…
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Looking for a convention city where attendees can easily walk to hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions? Look no further than downtown Grand Rapids – WalkScore.com gives it a 98 out of 100 for walkability and Trips to Discover named it one of the top 14 walkable destinations in the U.S. Downtown…
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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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Just half a mile north of the city’s main convention campus sits another spot that is great for hosting meetings and events. It’s ideal for those who want to be close to downtown and have downtown amenities, but without as much hustle and bustle as the city center. Often referred to as the North…
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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 America's Best Beer City in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The good news for meeting planners and conference attendees is…
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