Member Newsletter

July 2022

President's Message
RSVP for Mixer
Love Lansing Like a Local
Allyship Letter of Commitment
Mary Chris Hotchkiss
Member Seminar on Digital Marketing

Heritage Hall Opens
Free Workforce Webinar
Groundbreaking for Strikeout Baseball Stadium
Elderly Instruments Celebrates 50 Years
A Visit From Gerardo Florez

New Michigan Law on Alcohol and Swim-Up Bars
Volunteer Opportunity
New Members
Member Portal Training
Upcoming Conventions & Sports Events
Upcoming CTA Classes

President's Message

The GLCVB Board and Staff have been very dedicated in addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), especially throughout the travel and tourism industry. Thank you to our DEI Chair Eric Sudol for leading the work from the Board level.

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee at Destinations International, the global trade association for convention and visitors bureau, has released an Allyship Letter on behalf of its global membership. The letter states "Like so many aspects of our society, there are long-standing systemic challenges that continue to create impediments to providing our colleagues from underrepresented communities with equitable access to the same opportunities that we’ve always enjoyed as members who identify as being a part of the White community."

I signed the Allyship letter to stand behind and better understand the many facets of diversity, equity and inclusion. By signing the letter, we agree to be accountable by continuing to make formal commitments around DEI as an ongoing part of our organization’s annual business plans – something that will ensure that we don’t lose momentum in doing this critical work.

We look forward to sharing additional information as we continue to learn and grow. Please reach out to me at jpingston@lansing.org if you have any questions or insights. Thank you!

Julie

RSVP For July 26, 2022 CTA & Member Mixer

Join us for a fun evening out in downtown Lansing to explore the sites, enjoy delicious food, and network with your industry peers!

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from 4:30-6:30 pm

Scavenger Hunt Flyer & Map.

Stops on the Scavenger Hunt:
- Midtown Brewing Co - Get your "Social District Cocktail & enjoy a Street Taco on the patio
- Thai Village - Pop in and get a Crab Rangoon and/or Spring Roll
- Social Sloth - Try out some Turkish Lentil Patties with Lettuce
- Sweet Encounter Bakery - fantastic dessert options just for our group all Gluten FREE!
- Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center - check out their new space and work on a fun art project

Be sure to explore beyond the stops noted down Washington Square, or head back to Midtown for another cocktail and networking with friends.

Love Lansing Like A Local Summer Campaign

The GLCVB has launched a summer campaign showcasing the many attractions and things to do in the Capital region throughout the summer. The campaign invites residents and visitors to come enjoy everything in their own backyards and by supporting the local tourism industry, we can keep Greater Lansing great! Help us spread the word as the campaign kicks off in early June and runs all summer.

GLCVB Supports DEI Allyship Letter

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee at Destinations International, the global trade association for convention and visitors bureau, has released an Allyship Letter on behalf of its global membership. Like so many aspects of our society, there are long-standing systemic challenges that continue to create impediments to providing our colleagues from underrepresented communities with equitable access to the same opportunities that we’ve always enjoyed as members who identify as being a part of the White community. The GLCVB proudly stands with our association members at Destination International in support of this Allyship Letter.

Through support of the Allyship letter, the GLCVB formally commits that substantive, relevant, and measurable goals around DEI will be included in our organizations’ annual business plans for 2022, and in perpetuity moving forward. And to ensure that there is both transparency and accountability regarding these commitments, we will be reporting these goals and the corresponding results to Destinations International, as our industry trade association.

To learn more about the important DEI work that the GLCVB is undertaking please contact Julie Pingston at jpingston@lansing.org".

Farewell to Mary Chris Hotchkiss

It is with great sadness that we share that Mary Chris Hotchkiss is leaving the GLCVB. While we will miss her immensely, we couldn’t be more proud and excited for her as she embarks on her new endeavor as the Group Sales Director for the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau. Mary Chris has been with the GLCVB for fifteen years and made an enormous impact in bringing meetings and convention business to our community. Please join us in wishing Mary Chris well. Her last day at the GLCVB will be July 25th.

Heritage Hall Opened July 5, 2022

After over two years of construction at the Michigan state Capitol, Heritage Hall is almost finished. The completely new 40,000 square-foot underground building at the Capitol opened on July 5.

“We're going to do a "soft" open of the facility on July 5 for our first tour group to come and start the tour at Heritage Hall before they go into the Capitol,” said Rob Blackshaw, the executive director of the Michigan State Capitol Commission.

The project has been in the works since fall 2019 and broke ground in January 2020.

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Free Webinar - Recruitment and Retention: Simple But Powerful Tips for Success

Watch this free webinar hosted by Greater Lansing CVB and Capital Area Michigan works. Takeaways include great candidates are available, you just need to meet them where they're at; Retention begins at onboarding, does your current strategy set you up for success? and Capital Area Michigan Works! can assist you with your recruiting and retention needs.

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People at the ground breaking for the Strikeout Baseball Stadium

Groundbreaking for Strikeout Baseball Stadium

The groundbreaking ceremony for the John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium was on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. This field is north of the Capitol building and is the first of its kind in the United States. The goal is to bring baseball to the heart of the inner city.

Photo: Founder Jeff Lazaros, MLB Hall of Famer and Lansing native John Smoltz, Mayor Andy Schor, Executive Director of the GLSA Mike Price, and other officials shovel dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Ferris Park in Lansing.

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Old Town Lansing Elderly Instruments Mural

Elderly Instruments Celebrates 50 Years

Elderly Instruments is a family-owned and operated music store in Old Town. They carry a wide variety of new, used and vintage instruments and have been shipping them world-wide since 1975. Whether you’re looking for the latest guitar, a vintage mandolin, a used banjo, or accessories for all of the above, they have you covered. Elderly Instruments celebrated their 50th birthday at a Block Party on July 5^th.

Congratulations Elderly Instruments!

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A Visit From Gerardo Florez

Gerardo Florez stopped in our Visitor Center during his visit to Lansing from Colombia. Gerardo was born at Sparrow Hospital 60 years ago while his father attended Michigan State University following World War II. They lived at the Cherry Hill apartments and returned to Colombia after studies were completed. Gerardo wanted to return to the community in which he was born for his 60^th birthday and visit where he came from. He was proud to show that his Colombian drivers license states Lansing, Michigan as his place of birth. It was a pleasure to welcome Gerardo back “home” and we were glad to help him discover more about his first community.

New Michigan Law on Alcohol and Swim-Up Bars

Michigan lawmakers have passed bills which the Governor has signed that would allow for 17-year-old employees to serve alcohol and swim bars.

Seventeen-year-old employees can serve alcohol and are required employees complete alcohol training required by the Liquor Control Commission. It also requires an employee on-premise who is at least 18 years or older.

Swim-up bars are now permitted as long as beverages are served in non-breakable containers, lifeguards are present and the pool is equipped with enhanced filtration systems. Michigan is the 25th state to allow swim-up bars, joining others in the Midwest including Ohio and Wisconsin.

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Volunteer Opportunity for Junior Gold

Volunteers are needed for the Junior Gold Championship. The Lansing portion of the bowling tournament will take place Friday, July 15 - Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Royal Scot Golf & Bowl and Spare Time Entertainment Center.

Visit the official event website or view the volunteer flyer.

NOTE: Volunteers age 18+ need to be Safe Sport certified and will require a background check (fees will be covered by IBC).

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