Why Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan boasts an unprecedented level of cooperation between public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Fueled by an innovative, pioneering spirit, this collaboration has helped the city achieve one of America’s strongest economies – and it can help you deliver one of your most effective and memorable meetings.

When you hold your event in Grand Rapids, you benefit from:

A meetings infrastructure rivaling that of much larger cities.
Leisure options that are nationally and internationally recognized.
A commitment to marshal all the city’s resources to support your success.

Meetings

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Grand Rapids named one of the Midwest's Best Convention Cities for 2020

- Travmar/MeetingSource.com

Facilities

Grand Rapids offers the widest range of meeting space in Michigan – and some of the most distinctive meeting space in the Midwest. Grand Rapids has a solution for every group size and budget, from a leading-edge convention center in the heart of downtown to dozens of excellent spaces close to tourist, dining and shopping spots. Need help deciding where to meet? Check out our region profiles.

Hotels

Grand Rapids has added thousands of new hotel rooms in the past few years – including 1,100 in eight new downtown hotels from such brands as AC by Marriott, Canopy by Hilton, Embassy Suites, Hyatt Place and Residence Inn. Meeting planners and attendees can choose from 13 downtown hotels – three of them connected via skywalk to our convention center – and 70+ additional hotels within 20 minutes of downtown.

Transportation

The newly renovated Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids was ranked the best airport in its size class by Airports Council International. GRR is served by six airlines offering more than 100 daily flights – including nonstop service to/from 30+ major destinations. Its many amenities include exceptional cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention – it is the first Michigan airport to earn Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ STAR™ Facility Accreditation, the worldwide cleaning industry’s highest performance standard.

The airport is just a 20-minute ride from Downtown Grand Rapids, which is situated at the intersection of two major expressways, within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population. Chicago is three hours away by car and Detroit is a two-and-a-half-hour trip.

Grand Rapids is also accessible by Amtrak, with connections throughout Michigan and the Midwest.

Sustainability

Grand Rapids leads Michigan and the Midwest in going green. Fast Company named us “America’s Greenest City”– an ideal host for sustainability-focused groups, and any group concerned about the environment.

Services

Our Grand Response™ services team goes the extra mile to help you plan, promote and conduct a memorable meeting. Unlike many other cities, we work hand-in-hand with area hotels and facilities to help coordinate and implement your vision. It's a true team approach - and you're the most valued team member.

Meet Confidently

Our services extend to helping you and your attendees feel safe and secure about meeting here. We’ve worked closely with hotels, attractions and vendors to implement protocols and technologies that minimize health risks and maximize flexibility, now and long after the current pandemic ends. Review our Meet Confidently FAQ and check our Travel Updates for the latest information.

Strong Economy

Grand Rapids is a vital and dynamic destination for your group. It’s one of America’s top markets for economic growth, jobs and housing. In 2021, it was named 1 of 11 Markets Positioned to Thrive in the Next Decade (CBRE) and the #2 Boomtown of the Future (SPINX). New business investment is driving even more amenities for residents and visitors.

Things to Do

In addition to recognitions for our robust economy, Grand Rapids has been racking up travel and tourism honors – such as 1 of 7 Places to Go Worldwide (Jetsetter), 1 of America’s Super Cool Cities (Expedia) and America’s Top Travel Destination (Lonely Planet). Our Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was ranked the World’s #1 Sculpture Park in 2021. USA Today named us the Craft Beverage Capital of the U.S. and America’s Best Beer City/Scene. We’re 1 of the Top 14 Walkable Cities in the U.S. (Trips to Discover), the Safest, Most Affordable City in America (Realtor Magazine) and Michigan’s Best Food City (Thrillist).

Our wide range of tourism options, walkability, safety, ease of access and affordable hotel rooms earned us a spot on Travmar’s Top 25 Convention Cities for 2020 – and one of the Top 3 in the Midwest!