Home to college football’s Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans, as well as professional teams including MLB’s Detroit Tigers and NFL’s Detroit Lions, the Great Lakes State is a top contender for groups seeking a sports-friendly Midwest destination.
From a competitive team-bonding golf, kayak or bowling event to enjoying Lansing’s Mitten Mavens roller derby team from the bleachers to an off-site gathering at Ann Arbor’s Big House (a.k.a. University of Michigan’s football stadium), there are many wonderful ideas for groups interested in adding a fun sporting event to the itinerary.
Detroit
Detroit is home to four professional sports teams and, according to Bill Bohde, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the Detroit Metro CVB, each accommodates groups with reduced ticket prices, merchandise discounts, special in-stadium welcome messages and packages that include food and beverage.
“Detroit also offers a variety of unique sports-minded teambuilding activities for groups,” Bohde says, citing guided bike tours, including bike-and-brew outings, golf, kayaking and running along the Detroit RiverWalk.
“There is also fowling, a game that combines the elements of football, bowling and horseshoes, at the Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck,” Bohde continues. “Or spend an evening at Garden Bowl, America’s oldest active bowling center.”
Ann Arbor
In Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan offers a Challenge Program—including a climbing wall, problem-solving activities and a ropes course—that nudges groups to work together to overcome physical and mental boundaries.
“In addition to encouragement from your colleagues, you’ll hear a lot of laughter throughout the day,” says Patti Ingleson, national convention sales manager with the Ann Arbor Area CVB.
Between the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, collegiate spectator sports ranging from football and basketball to diving and gymnastics are available year-round for interested groups.
Groups meeting in Ann Arbor might also arrange a kayak or canoe outing on the Huron River. The 90-minute Argo-to-Gallup course, which features a series of nine small rapids, rock chutes and pools, is recommended for beginners.
Greater Lansing
Home to Michigan State University athletics, the Lansing Lugnuts Minor League Baseball team, kayaking opportunities and 30 golf courses, Greater Lansing offers a variety of ways for planners to incorporate sports into a meeting agenda.
“Whether you’re looking for an interactive teambuilding exercise or a chance to watch a game from the stands, the region provides affordable and creative ways to get your attendees engaged,” says Tracy Padot, vice president of marketing communications at the Greater Lansing CVB.
Horseback riding at Sundance Riding Stables, which also accommodates group events, and archery teambuilding events at Demmer Center are two unique Lansing offerings.
Grand Rapids
Examples of sports pursuits in Grand Rapids include rowing, golfing and biking, and for groups more comfortable on the sidelines, local hockey, baseball and basketball games make for fun outings.
“The services team can help a meeting planner coordinate a discounted group rate for ticket prices at Van Andel Arena [home to the Griffins hockey team], Fifth Third Ballpark and the DeltaPlex,” says Andie Newcomer, convention services manager at Experience Grand Rapids CVB. “We also help ensure the group is seated together for games.”
Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team, and DeltaPlex Arena, home of the Grand Rapids Drive basketball team, both accommodate corporate events.
Muskegon County
The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex (MWSC) offers some terrific team-bonding activities that will boost morale during the winter months, including ice-skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and luge, according to Bernadette Benkert, sales executive at the Muskegon County CVB.
“After the teambuilding event, meet in the yurt, which is a canvas structure that sits alongside the luge track and is furnished with tables and comfortable seating,” Benkert says.
She also suggests getting tickets to see the Muskegon Lumberjacks hockey team in action at L.C. Walker Arena, and booking a guide to lead the group on a bike ride along local trails to Lake Michigan.
Kalamazoo
Guided group outings are also popular in Kalamazoo, where West Michigan Beer Tours offers walking and biking tours that highlight local craft
breweries.
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“In harmony with the area’s growing craft beer scene, the Kalamazoo Growlers [baseball team] have partnered with Kalamazoo’s own Bell’s Brewery to create the Bell’s Bear Cave,” says Brian Perskey, sports event development manager at Discover Kalamazoo.
This all-inclusive indoor/outdoor suite, he explains, accommodates parties, business meetings and other group activities, and access to the suite includes a premium ballpark buffet and Bell’s beer on tap.
Perskey adds groups may also enjoy an outing to the newly renovated Wings Event Center for a Kalamazoo Wings hockey game.
“Groups of 15 people or more are able to get preferred seating together, a welcome message on the video scoreboard, group recognition over the P.A., as well as a signed hockey stick for groups of 50 people or more,” he says.
For indoor playtime, it is a short drive from Kalamazoo to the AAA Four Diamond FireKeepers Casino Hotel Battle Creek, where activities include everything from table games to slots.
Traverse City
Snowshoeing, kayaking, Traverse City Beach Bums baseball at Wuerful Park, laser tag, bowling and the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival are among the sporting options available to groups meeting in Traverse City.
Tour de Brew, a paddling microbrew tour, is another popular idea, according to Tori Piersante, vice president of sales at Traverse City Tourism.
“Groups begin with a paddle skills and safety session on Boardman Lake, and paddling starts with a short jaunt to a park for a lunch of porter-drenched whitefish filets on ciabatta with caramelized onions—yum!” Piersante exclaims, adding groups then resume paddling to local craft breweries, including Rare Bird Brewpub, The Workshop Brewing Company and The Filling Station Microbrewery.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is home to group-friendly golf, according to Alison Abraham, assistant director at Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.
“Wawashkamo Golf Club is one of Michigan’s oldest golf courses and sits on the battle grounds from the War of 1812,” she says, adding The Jewel golf course and The Woods, a restaurant, both owned and operated by Grand Hotel, offer stunning views and first-class amenities. “After completing the front nine at The Jewel, you and your clubs will be transported to the The Woods by a horse and carriage.”
