fbpx
×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 124421


MiBiz is now Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. Visit our new site at crainsgrandrapids.com

Displaying items tagged: Experience Grand Rapids

Thursday, 30 March 2023 09:30

Michigan’s meeting facilities adapt post-pandemic amid slow return of corporate events

Corporations and associations might not yet be hosting in-person events at the scale they once did, but the state’s top meeting and convention venues are optimistic about their recovery in the coming two years.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 27 March 2022 18:19

Leisure, sports travel fuel hotel occupancy uptick after pandemic decline

Hospitality executives see positive signs of leisure travel activity increasing across West Michigan, though corporate travel still lags pre-pandemic levels.

Sunday, 13 March 2022 18:53

Advocates seek minority voices, opportunity with 12 ‘transformational’ projects

Regional business and economic development leaders recently announced a list of 12 “transformational” projects that could reshape Kent County’s ability to attract visitors, new residents and employers.

Published in Economic Development

Sunday, 24 October 2021 19:00

Pure Michigan campaign reboots with $30M appropriation

Travel Michigan will once again mount full Pure Michigan tourism campaigns starting for the coming winter travel season and extending into 2022 for the traditional busy summertime.

Published in Economic Development
Wednesday, 02 June 2021 10:22

West Michigan hotel stays expected to pick up this summer as biz travel still lags

West Michigan tourism officials are reporting upward trends in travel and hotel stays as COVID-19 restrictions lift, and leaders are optimistic about the local tourism economy for the rest of the summer.

Thursday, 22 April 2021 10:31

Travel Michigan opts for in-state, regional tourism campaign

The Pure Michigan campaign that for 15 years has worked to brand and change perceptions of Michigan will focus on in-state and regional travelers this summer as opposed to a nationwide campaign.

Published in Economic Development


Monday, 29 March 2021 14:31

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.

Published in Talent
Sunday, 20 December 2020 19:00

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.

Friday, 02 October 2020 12:30

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.


Thursday, 01 October 2020 15:30

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.

Sunday, 27 September 2020 18:05

‘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.

Thursday, 23 July 2020 15:48

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.

Published in Economic Development


Thursday, 09 July 2020 10:28

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. 

Published in Talent
Sunday, 05 July 2020 14:57

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.

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 21 June 2020 16:06

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. 

Published in Finance

Sunday, 07 June 2020 18:20

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. 

Monday, 30 March 2020 15:45

West Michigan coalition compiles COVID-19 resources for businesses, employees

A coalition of West Michigan business, community and governmental organizations has formed to provide resources to business owners and employees facing confusion amid new restrictions to control the outbreak of the coronavirus. 

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 19 January 2020 17:45

Tourism promoters expect action to restore Pure Michigan funding

A lack of state funding for the popular Pure Michigan campaign that promotes the state as a travel destination complicates plans for tourism promoters now preparing for the 2020 summer season.

Published in Economic Development

Sunday, 24 November 2019 17:05

TRANSFORMING A GENERATION: West Michigan Hispanic Chamber looks to uplift Latino business community

Oswaldo Cordova and Evangelina Abundis opened El Globo Restaurant LLC 14 years ago.

Published in Small Business
Sunday, 27 October 2019 17:30

Local tourism groups advocate for maintaining Pure Michigan funding

HOLLAND — Last year, travelers from all 50 states and 47 countries stopped into the Holland Area Visitors Bureau while visiting the city. 

Published in Economic Development
Sunday, 04 August 2019 17:42

Entrepreneurs weigh opportunities with cannabis tourism in Michigan

When doctors in Wisconsin wanted to put Bonnie Demos on a morphine pump for pain, she decided instead to move to Michigan and grow her own medicine.

Published in Small Business

Sunday, 07 July 2019 19:00

Lady Americana Midwest maintains king-sized share of regional hotel mattress market

GRAND RAPIDS — Nearly every guest who spends the night at a hotel room in downtown Grand Rapids sleeps on the same mattress. 

Published in Manufacturing
Sunday, 23 June 2019 19:00

Grand Rapids authority studies next steps for convention center hotel

GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority has hired a consultant to lead the process of weighing concepts for developing a full-service hotel to serve the downtown convention center. 

Sunday, 17 February 2019 17:54

Hotel development boom continues in West Michigan

Hotel development in West Michigan remains on a torrid pace for 2019. Developers have plans to add more than 800 new rooms this year, with developments popping up in downtown Grand Rapids and in suburban areas surrounding the city. At the same time, although annual hotel occupancy dipped slightly for 2018, hotel revenue actually increased, a reflection of record room bookings.


Saturday, 26 May 2018 11:17

GR hotel rates push upward amid construction boom

GRAND RAPIDS –– New data on hotel rates across the Midwest offered some sobering analysis on the cost of a room in downtown Grand Rapids.

Sunday, 29 October 2017 12:17

Event spaces proliferate in response to growing demand in West Michigan

thriving business climate and renewed interest in communities across West Michigan have sparked increased demand for event space throughout the region.

Published in Small Business
Sunday, 15 October 2017 20:00

State arts and cultural funding gets $1 million boost for 2018

LANSING — Funding for arts and culture in Michigan received a $1 million bump for 2018. 

Published in Nonprofits

Sunday, 22 January 2017 12:03

Experience Grand Rapids markets community assets for economic benefit

Cities with professional sports teams have an edge when trying to attract prospective visitors, but Grand Rapids continues to compete successfully without this added advantage.

Published in Nonprofits
Sunday, 22 January 2017 10:55

Winners and finalists announced in 2017 MiBiz Best-Managed Nonprofits Awards

While for-profit businesses get the bulk of the credit for West Michigan’s economic success, the role that local nonprofits play in the community’s health, wealth and wellbeing often goes under-reported and unrecognized. 

Published in Nonprofits
Sunday, 11 December 2016 15:35

Room for More? West Michigan execs call for new hotel capacity

More than 12,000 amateur athletes and their traveling companions from around the Great Lakes will descend on greater Grand Rapids next summer when the region hosts the State Games of America.


Page 1 of 2