Displaying items by tag: Experience Grand Rapids
GR entertainment and event organizers express optimism after ‘sobering’ 2020
GRAND RAPIDS — After an economically grim 2020, Grand Rapids event and entertainment officials say they’re optimistic about pent-up demand, COVID-19 vaccines and a new standard of hybrid in-person and virtual programs.
GR tourism group expects gradual hospitality rebound starting next year
The tourism and hospitality sectors took a major hit in 2020 but are expected to slowly rebound in 2021 with positive news about the COVID-19 vaccine. Experience Grand Rapids Executive Director Doug Small is among industry leaders predicting it will take longer than a year for tourism to return to pre-pandemic levels, but a few larger projects on the horizon could provide Grand Rapids with some momentum in the new year. Hotels hit historically low occupancy rates in 2020, and Kent County hit a low in April with an 18 percent average occupancy rate. Occupancy levels are expected to increase in 2021, but are still expected to fall short of pre-pandemic levels.
Downtown GR amphitheater gets closer look as Grand Action takes over
GRAND RAPIDS — A downtown Grand Rapids amphitheater appears to be the most plausible of the major downtown development projects now being pursued by Grand Action.
Convention center expansion, amphitheater, soccer stadium are Grand Action’s new priorities
GRAND RAPIDS — The business group that pushed several major developments over the past 25 years is now focused on a downtown convention center expansion, an amphitheater and a professional soccer stadium.
‘No path back to normal:’ Hotel industry on edge as summer tourism boost wanes
Occupancy rates are slowly inching back up, but regional tourism leaders say it will take years for hotels to make up for lost profits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 600 GR hotel layoffs coming as county occupancy rebounds
GRAND RAPIDS — Kent County’s hotel occupancy has started to rebound since the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a major downtown Grand Rapids hotel operator anticipates only being able to call back half of the 1,200 employees it furloughed in April.
City groups planning fall “mashup” of events in place of ArtPrize
GRAND RAPIDS — Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. is reallocating $50,000 it initially budgeted for ArtPrize 2020 toward a new event tentatively planned for September.
West Mich. Sports Commission manages through cancellations, lost visitor spending
GRAND RAPIDS — The West Michigan Sports Commission took measures to create a safer work environment at its office, which was newly opened in November of last year before the springtime COVID-19 pandemic sent staff home to work remotely.
Groups say their assistance with Kent County relief fund merits compensation
GRAND RAPIDS — In partnering on a $25 million small business relief fund, Kent County and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce want to tap a number of community and entrepreneurial support organizations to get the word out to companies and provide volunteers to vet grant applicants.
Downtown Grand Rapids convention hotel, amphitheater projects put on hold
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority is hitting pause on a task force that is considering the feasibility of building a new convention center hotel and adding a large-scale amphitheater in the city’s downtown.