Illinois
The Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield completed a $15 million renovation. Originally built in 1978, the center updated lighting, audiovisual components, loading docks, bathrooms and outdoor plaza space. The 310-room President Abraham Lincoln Springfield–A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is attached to the convention center and offers 15,000 square feet of additional meeting space.
Michigan
Aloft plans to open its first property in the state in Detroit this winter. The 136-room Aloft Detroit is slated to debut in December with two restaurants as well as banquet and meeting space.
An 86-room Residence Inn by Marriott opened in Ann Arbor in June with 500 square feet of meeting space for small groups.
Minnesota
Hyatt Hotels announced plans to open the 302-room Hyatt Regency Bloomington Center Station near the Mall of America in 2016. The Hyatt property will offer 17,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 8,250-square-foot ballroom, and be managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. Center Station is a growing transit-focused mixed-use development.
Missouri
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, a national symbol of growth and discovery, is preparing fo its 50th anniversary in 2015 with a series of renovations and enhancements for visitors. The Arch will debut a new interactive museum and update surrounding park grounds and riverfront public spaces.
North Dakota
The new-build, 124-room Value Place hotel is now open in Watford City.
The new, LEED-certified Element Fargo is expected to open in early November. Located downtown near corporate offices, the 130-room hotel will offer a 450-square-foot meeting room equipped with the latest videoconference technology.
Ohio
Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph Hotel is under construction in Columbus’ Short North Arts District. The 135-room boutique Starwood will include several meeting rooms, ballrooms and a green space corridor with fountains, benches and summer concerts. The Le Meridien is slated to open in late 2014.
The Westin Cleveland Downtown is now open near the new Cleveland Convention Center and Global Center for Health Innovation. The hotel offers 484 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and views of Lake Erie.
Wisconsin
An hour south of Madison, the Ramada Janesville completed a lobby renovation, a rebranding and a restaurant menu udpate with a new chef. All guest rooms and suites will be refreshed in the coming months and meeting spaces, including the 400-person ballroom, were updated.