Midwestern meeting groups seeking to break away from the everyday need look no further than Grand Rapids, Mich., home to a number of unexpected offerings you won’t find anywhere else.
“The Grand Rapids area has a lot to offer meeting attendees with varying interests,” says Janet Korn, senior vice president for Experience Grand Rapids, the city’s official CVB. “Recognized as ‘Beer City USA,’ our craft beer scene, expanding culinary options and rich arts and culture combined with our close proximity to the Lake Michigan shoreline make Grand Rapids an ideal destination for visitors to explore.”
Planners will appreciate the offbeat settings in particular, with unforgettable spaces ranging from a tremendous treehouse to a marvelous museum.
HOPPY HIATUS
While in Beer City, brewing up some group fun is practically a given, and it’s hard to picture a better setting for a fun affair than Founders Brewery, a highly acclaimed craft brewery with a snazzy setting and endless bounty of beers brewed on-site. The handsome main taproom is a great stop for a casual group night out, but planners can also rent out the Centennial Room on the second floor for their own private affair. The upstairs space boasts its own fully staffed bar with eight taps available and offers room for up to 100 attendees, with seasonal patios on hand allowing for slightly larger functions. Another huge plus is the presence of three large flat-screen televisions and a retractable projector screen for presentations. Other group possibilities include Beer 101 and Sensory Evaluation classes, and guided tours of up to 12 include plenty of tasty sampling.
LOFTY AMBITIONS
One of the city’s nicknames is the Furniture City, due to its long production history there, making the GOEI Center a quintessential Grand Rapids venue. Housed in a the former Kundel Furniture factory, the venue today offers a hip and funky loft-style setting for events of all kinds, from smaller spaces for classes of 20 to corporate receptions for hundreds. The high ceilings and countless wooden pillar beams, plus cool touches like a large koi pond, add up to a unique and memorable setting.
A huge plus is the presence of the International Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (I.C.E.E.), a sort of business incubator hosting a number of local retailers that focus their offerings on meetings and social functions, including a floral design company and catering group.
GROOVY GARDENS
Just a 15-minute detour from downtown, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (FMG) is a 132-acre oasis of natural ecosystems and man-made artistry. Traversing across wetlands, woodlands and gardens, the venue includes a Michigan Farm Garden and an Amphitheater Garden, with an eight-acre Japanese Garden set to debut in mid-June. Visitors will also encounter a Carnivorous Plant House, seasonal Greenhouse, Tropical Conservatory and Sculpture Collection to name some inside features. FMG also showcases 14 diverse meeting areas that groups can optimize. For groups just wanting to explore the singular setting, docent- and self-guided tours are on tap for parties of 10 or more.
AMAZING MUSEUM
“The Grand Rapids Art Museum is one of the city’s most unique venues,” says Cia Segerlind, public relations coordinator. “From the auditorium’s ambient atmosphere—complete with a summer solstice star pattern gently shining above—to the lobby’s windows that rise more than 30 feet in the air, the Grand Rapids Art Museum offers an unforgettable experience for all to enjoy.
Segerlind adds that as the world’s first LEED Gold Certified art museum, GRAM’s iconic architecture enhances every event. And the various spaces for hosting a reception or other affair here are ample. From outdoor terraces and an intimate “pocket park” to art studios and conference rooms, the venue is practically a planner’s paradise.
The GRAM also hosts plenty of exhibitions that border on the extraordinary, and its current display, In the Air by T.J. Wilcox, is quite reflective of this. The one-of-a-kind work showcases an eye-catching film installation shown on a rounded, 360-degree screen, presenting viewers with a compelling multidirectional, aerial view of the New York City skyline that distills a day’s movements and activities into a 30-minute film experience. The dazzling creation is on display at the GRAM until Aug. 30.
ELEVATED DINING
One of the city’s grandest culinary spots is undoubtedly Cygnus 27, set high above the iconic Amway Grand Plaza hotel and providing city views in all directions. The interior design and decor takes inspiration from the Cygnus constellation, and the food aims to make an impression with South American fare and other global flavors.
A big plus for groups is the presence of two exquisite private dining spots. Sky 1 seats 36 people easily (with a maximum of 45) and has a 50-inch flat-screen television on hand for presentations and other uses. Sky 2 can host up to 20 diners for a cozier affair, or groups can combine the spaces for private receptions for up to 100 dining on hors d’oeuvres. The hotel is a true hub of tasty options, with seven dining establishments to choose from in total.
BAKERS, BREWERS AND BUTCHERS
For some fun group downtime, a fantastic choice is the city’s singular Downtown Market, the first LEED-certified market in the nation and home to a plethora of purveyors. Some offbeat event spaces are also available here, including a greenhouse and a teaching kitchen. Groups can explore retail shops that include plenty of foodie purveyors, dine out at some fabulous local eateries that include a Thai bistro and Mexican street food, or wander through a seasonal outdoor farmers market. There are also plenty of organized celebrations and classes presented at the Downtown Market, from chef boot camps to salsa canning.
TEMPTING TREE HOUSE
The John Ball Zoological Gardens hosts a menagerie of more than 2,000 feathered and furry friends—but the zoo zooms way past appealing animals with its array of offerings. When not meandering past the 250-plus species on display, including a Stingray Lagoon and Camel Rides, attendees can get their adrenaline pumping with a 600-foot zipline or bond together on a robust ropes course. But it might be a tempting tree house that really wins planners’ hearts at the vibrant venue.
Set atop one of the city’s highest zeniths, the Bissell Tree House is a stunning structure surrounded by lush flora and showcasing a huge wraparound balcony with panoramic views. Bonuses include a large ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, adjustable lighting and a full catering kitchen. mf
