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Member Newsletter

December 2021

President's Message

Julie Pingston, President

The GLCVB Advisory Board and the GLCVB Board of Directors recently approved the 2022 Business Plan that focuses intently on securing future business for the region as well as continued strong messaging to promote our destination and individual members. We are optimistic about the strong calendar of bookings for 2022 and beyond and are looking forward to welcoming national level sporting events as well as returning larger conventions and meetings throughout 2022.

In 2022, we will also intently focus on some key over-arching strategies including:

  1. A diversity, equity, and inclusion focus on how we operate and represent the destination
  2. Accessibility options within the community
  3. Promotion of a future workforce for the industry

As the tourism and hospitality industry continues to slowly evolve through the pandemic, the mission of the GLCVB continues to evolve as well. The organization now plays a critical role in incorporating the community into the promotion of the region as a visitor destination. Focusing on our diversity and cultural heritage will be important to truly tell the story of our destination.

We also know there is no issue more paramount than developing a workforce and future career paths for our industry for our stability and success. Diversity within our workforce will continue to be a focus as we move forward as well.

We are looking forward to all the opportunities for 2022 and hope you will add your insights and perspectives as to how we can best serve the industry.

As a reminder, continue to support local businesses by Liftin Up Local! Check out the blogs on our website about Shop Small Shop Local, and The Ultimate #LoveLansing Gift Guide.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the new year! As always, please reach out to me at jpingston@lansing.org if I can assist you in any way. Thank you!

Julie

GLCVB Delivers Holiday Cheer to Boost Weary Hospitality Industry

Julie Pingston Delivering Holiday Cheer to Impression 5 Staff

The hospitality community has been one of the hardest hit throughout the pandemic. In 2020 the industry saw restrictions on large gatherings, restaurants shuttered, attractions moved their activities to virtual programming and staffing issues impacted businesses across mid-Michigan.

We are so thankful that a year later we are in a much different position. Vaccination rates continue to rise and projections show an increase in demand for conventions, meetings and sports tournaments. With those positive thoughts in mind, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) wants to embrace the season of giving by giving back to our weary hospitality partners that have weathered the storm. The GLCVB plans to distribute over 150 gift baskets full of locally sourced treats to hotels and event venues across Greater Lansing, December 7-8, 2021.

“Our members and event facilities have done their best to keep their heads above water for the last 18 months. We wanted to share a small kindness with them to let them know we truly appreciate their efforts. Traditionally, the region welcomed over 5.3 million visitors annually which generated $682 million dollars in economic impact. We want to do everything we can to help the region get back to those pre-pandemic levels,” said Julie Pingston, CDME, CMP, CTA, GLCVB President & CEO.

The gift baskets of locally sourced treats are just one way the GLCVB is showing its appreciation. The organization has been working hard throughout the year to help move the industry forward including:

  • Heightened advocacy efforts to bring recognition to the hospitality industry, both locally and at the state and national levels.
  • Working with local businesses to insure they continue to receive critical member benefits until the hospitality community has fully recovered.
  • Notifications and educational opportunities on marketing initiatives, PPP loans, grant opportunities, COVID protocols and more.
  • Promotion of the Greater Lansing Safe Pledge – which has signed on over 150 local businesses.
  • Implementation of a “Safe Meetings” webpage and video to promote the area as a safe destination for meetings and events, highlighting our hotels and facilities to event planners.
  • Targeted marketing efforts to reach community members as well as future visitors. Showcasing our restaurant, retail, attraction and hotel members through blog posts and social media.

While the GLCVB is optimistic for the future, for many, things may still be difficult, and every hospitality organization has been affected differently by the pandemic. The GLCVB believes in our #LoveLansing businesses. With local support we can make our hospitality community stronger than ever before.

 

Julie Pingston Economic Forecasting Breakfast

Sharp downturn and fast recovery graph

The GLCVB shared important hospitality and tourism data at the Michigan Business Network’s economic forecasting breakfast on Dec. 8th. President and CEO Julie Pingston joined a panel of regional leaders to share insights on 2021 data and give a glimpse into the 2022 forecast for the tourism and hospitality industry. 

Learn more about the important work of the GLCVB at lansing.org.

 

Red Cedar Project Breaks Ground on Two New Hotels

Red Cedar Project - Two New Hotels

On December 9, 2021 at 12 p.m. elected officials and others will join Continental/  Ferguson, LLC and Concord Hospitality for the official groundbreaking on the vertical construction phase of the dual-branded hotels, a Hyatt House by Hyatt and AC Hotel by Marriott. This is a part of the $256 million mixed-use Red Cedar Development (RCD), on Michigan Avenue.

The hotels will have approximately 300 guest rooms, complete with approximately 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. The hotels will also be home to Toscana Restaurant and Bar which is expected to be completed by August of 2022.

In addition to the Hyatt House and AC hotels, the Red Cedar Development features market-rate apartments, an assisted living facility, and a state of the art student housing complex, which was completed in August of 2021, and is fully leased. The development features restaurants, retail space, and commercial space. Along Michigan Avenue, the Red Cedar Development which overlooks the Red Cedar River will be located adjacent to a newly constructed 20-acre public park, complete with the recently dedicated Jack and Susan Davis public amphitheater, that is also connected to Lansing’s River Trail system.

Visit Official Groundbreak Ceremony for more information.

 

I-496 Rebuild Project Webinar

Map of I-496 and where the Rebuild will occur

Starting in 2022, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest approximately $82 million to rebuild I-496 and perform preventive maintenance and repairs on 17 bridges between Lansing Road and the Grand River. The downtown Lansing section of I-496 will be closed and detoured for most of 2022.

The GLCVB has planned a webinar with MDOT to hear the construction planning stages and communication strategies for our stakeholders to be able to provide specific information to those visiting our destination. 

We hope you can participate in the webinar on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 10:00 am. A webinar link will be emailed to you after registration.

Please feel free to include those you think may benefit from the information. Together we can prepare the best strategy to assist our visitors and help local member businesses continue to prosper.

Register to Attend

 

Welcome Amie Lucas

Amie Lucas

We would like to introduce Amie Lucas, our new Manager of Digital Marketing and Content.

She joins the MarComm team, bringing over 10 years of web design and content creation experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU in Telecommunications, Information Studies, and Media.

When Amie isn’t busy with her professional career, you can find her running ultramarathons, hiking and enjoying the beauty of Michigan.

 

Member Portal Training

Computer screen of the member portal for GLCVB

Upload additional images to feature your business on the new website and remember to create your company's coupons for 2022! 

Need assistance? Schedule your FREE Member Portal Training NOW! 

Did you know that you have access to Member Portal?

Log into the Member Portal.

Stay In the Know with the Member Portal:

  • Access the convention calendar – see who’s in town. Great for outbound marketing
  • Update your contact information
  • Update your business website listing for both lansing.org and lansingsports.org
  • Update your photos within your listing
  • Offer a discount or special offer coupon
  • Connect with industry peers
 

CTA Renewal

Person holding the Certified Tourist Ambassador Pin

Hello CTAs!

Need to renew and don’t have your link from CTA Network? Have it emailed to you.

As a reminder the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau has extended the CTA early bird pricing fee of $10 for renewals through the remainder of the year for your renewal deadline on December 31, 2021. If you are in need of financial assistance for renewal, please reach out to request the Kristina Kauffman Scholarship Fund.

Thank you for your patience with the upgrade to our new CTA system!

 

Upcoming CTA Classes

CTA Classes return in person. All classes will be held in the GLCVB Board Room. Register for a class

  • February 16, 2022: 11 am - 5 pm
  • March 22, 2022: 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
  • April 18, 2022: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • May 18, 2022: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • June 23, 2022: 1 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • September 20, 2022: 1 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • October 19, 2022: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • November 28, 2022: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Apply to the Kristina Scholarship Fund

Contact Melissa Nay with any questions.

Melissa Nay

Melissa Nay, CTA Membership and Community Outreach Manager

Phone

517-377-1410

Learn more about Melissa

Member Benefit - Promote Your Holiday Happenings!

Promote Your Holiday Happenings - Member Benefit

Do you have a special event, activity or promotion for the Holidays? As a free member benefit, please make sure you submit your special offers and coupons so they appear on this page on our website. https://www.lansing.org/plan-your-trip/special-offers/  We want to see New Year’s Eve packages, Holiday discounts, etc. You can submit info through the member portal or email them to mnay@lansing.org. If you have an event that has wide public appeal, you can submit your events directly at: https://www.lansing.org/events/submit-an-event/  Help us, help you drive customers to  your business!

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Read Our Blogs

October 2021 - 56.5% | October 2020 - 41.7%

*Source: STR, INC. Republication or other re-use of this data without the express, written permission of STR is strictly prohibited.

Go Green/Go White!  It was a big weekend with the annual rivalry game on our home turf.  And while the action on the field was exciting, it was great to also have the focus on people traveling to our community for a large event.  

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