Michigan’s second-largest city is a rising star on the Midwest meetings map. Grand Rapids is both culturally diverse, with an attention-grabbing arts scene, and naturally beautiful, as it resides on the banks of the Grand River.
Given today’s economic conditions, many meetings destinations across the country boast great value. But Grand Rapids, according to Douglas Small, president of Experience Grand Rapids, really puts its money where its mouth is.
"Grand Rapids is truly at the top of that value list due to the fact that it can offer [AAA] Four Diamond and [Mobil] Four-Star facilities at two-diamond prices," he says. "There is not a city our size or even larger that provides two [AAA] Four Diamond hotels physically connected to the convention center like Grand Rapids offers."
DeVos Place, with a 162,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 26 individual meeting rooms, is in fact adjacent to the highest-rated JW Marriott in the U.S. for visitor services, as well as the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, which unveiled a renovation to its International Ballroom in September.
"This is truly a value destination," Small says. "It has been and will continue to be while other destination prices rise back to the levels they were before the economic recession."
Hot and Happenin’
Much like value, property updates are a continuing trend in Grand Rapids. According to Small, hotels and facilities consistently refresh and update with the latest technologies and comforts that make meeting planners’ jobs easier and their attendees more comfortable.
In recent news, the former Days Inn hotel reopened in December 2009 as the new "green" Holiday Inn Downtown Grand Rapids after a $3.5 million upgrade project. The third hotel to be situated adjacent to DeVos Place is the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown, which in August introduced three free-standing check-in "pods" and an iPad-style screen loaded with links to Grand Rapids information. Also in August, the Crowne Plaza unveiled a multimillion-dollar facelift, including guest room upgrades, the addition of a meeting room and new lobby decor.
Meetings in Grand Rapids are connected with community, Small adds. Every facility, he says, boasts a friendly attitude and attention to detail that sets the city apart from others.
Enhancements to the city’s cultural venues are also ongoing.
In September, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Michigan’s largest contemporary arts center, opened its new facility featuring 8,500 square feet of gallery space, two theaters, two lounges and a 3,500-square-foot outdoor sculpture terrace.
And earlier this year, Opera Grand Rapids moved into its first permanent home, the Betty Van Andel Opera Center, which is the country’s first green opera center. The facility offers meeting space.
Productive and Pleasurable
The city prides itself on being both attendee-friendly and planner-friendly. In place to assist planners is the Grand Response service team, which pulls out all the stops to help meeting planners organize, coordinate and promote their events.
"Grand Rapids is a cool city with a warm spirit," Small says, pointing to the city’s gracious hospitality and adding that from the DeVos Place convention center in the heart of a clean, safe, walkable downtown, attendees are surrounded by more than 75 hotels, restaurants, museums and sports and entertainment venues. "Grand Rapids offers a solution sure to satisfy any group."
Their palates are sure to be satisfied, as the city’s restaurant scene is booming. New eateries include Cinco de Mayo, Wild Fire Grille, Parsley Mediterranean Grill, Tavern on the Square and Electric Cheetah. And from November 4-13, Grand Rapids will have its first Restaurant Week, offering prix-fixe menus at several restaurants.
Grand Rapids is also serious about art, as you’ll see virtually anywhere you look downtown, according to Small, who explains that in addition to galleries and internationally acclaimed museums, the city is brimming with outdoor art, including the 42-ton Alexander Calder sculpture that symbolizes the city’s creative spirit.
"Grand Rapids embraces art and culture," he says. "Our world-class museums and cutting-edge performing arts offer a remarkable meeting experience."
The Grand Rapids Art Museum, for instance, is the first newly built art museum in the world that is LEED Gold-certified, and it’s sure to attract more environment-conscious groups to the city.
As the gateway to Michigan’s West Coast, Grand Rapids is also the perfect springboard to explore Lake Michigan’s beaches and gorgeous sunsets. Grand Rapids offers meeting planners close and convenient access to the shores of Lake Michigan. Small says this "freshwater sea" is often host to beach parties and evening sunset events.
Another popular option for group events located just outside downtown is the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
"Just last summer a group rented the entire outdoor amphitheatre and hired Sting to perform for their private audience," Small says. "Imagine a private concert for your group in a picture-perfect setting for 1,750 guests. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience."
Meanwhile, Grand Rapids boasts a variety of outdoor activity options, including biking, hiking, golfing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and ice skating.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings MidAmerica.
