“It’s rare to have a big casino resort in the center of an urban destination,” says Lisa Williams, director of sales at the MGM Grand Detroit, conveniently located in the heart of downtown.
Williams says that this convenience is a big selling point for the property; Detroit is a short flight from major population centers, a Delta airport hub and near an international border.
“Planners like to minimize travel time, and here there is everything under one roof,” she says. Plus, Detroit’s major sporting venues and the Fox Theater are within walking distance.
Like its Las Vegas counterparts, the MGM Grand Detroit offers Vegas-style gaming, mixology and beer tasting programs for groups, and a variety of restaurants.
Williams recommends an opening night reception at the hotel’s hot nightclub space, V. Another venue space highlight is the 14,000-square-foot grand ballroom, accommodating groups of up to 1,200 people, and high-tech boardrooms that are popular with small, executive-level groups.
“With about 400 guest rooms, our ideal size is 300 people, leaving plenty of room for breakout space,” Williams says.
The hotel sees a number of complete buy-outs each year, and has recently noted an uptick in incentive programs.
“Planners see a great value in their own backyard, and attendees love the spa, entertainment and gambling options,” she says.