Member Newsletter

July 2023

President's Message
July Mixer
Welcome Barbara Powers
NHPA World Tournament
Safety Seminars
Get Your Lansing Experience Pass

Holiday Inn Express Grand Opening
Congratulations, Graze Craze
Broad Art Museum Construction
Ovation Breaking Ground
Lansing Ranked #75 for Best City

New Members
Member Portal Training
Upcoming Conventions & Sports Events
Upcoming CTA Classes
Blogs
Hotel Occupancy

President's Message

At the midpoint of 2023, our team took extended time to look strategically at the year so far and how the industry is progressing. We are ahead of last year in terms of hotel occupancy at 53.0% through May compared to 50.9% for the same period last year. We have hosted some large-scale events such as Odyssey of the Mind, seen more meetings and conventions return and hosted many impactful amateur sporting events. More importantly, many more large events will be taking place between now and the end of the year.

Also exciting is the expected addition of new businesses to our industry over the coming months, which will add more opportunities for visitors and create additional job growth for the industry. The hotels within the Red Cedar project (Hyatt House and AC by Marriott) will be opening in mid-August offering nearly 300 guest rooms, meeting space and the signature restaurant Toscana. The Radisson Hotel in Downtown Lansing will finish their full renovation and conversion to a DoubleTree Hotel in late August.

Opening in July, Grewal Hall at 224 on Washington Square will accommodate concerts, events, conferences with a standing room capacity of 900 and over 6,000 square feet of space. Bobcat Bonnie’s restaurant will be opening in the historic former Clara’s train station in late summer and have added an outdoor patio and renovated the train car for unique dining opportunities. And, the Lansing Shuffle along downtown Lansing’s riverfront has begun construction on the outdoor shuffleboard pavilion expected to open in the early fall with 5 courts and league play.

At midyear, the paced growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in the Lansing region continues to take the needed steps forward to grow the economic impact and quality of life for the community. Please reach out to me at jpingston@lansing.org if I can assist you in any way. Thank you!

Julie

Welcome to Barbara Powers

The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is pleased to announce that it has named Barbara Powers its new Sports Events Manager.

“Barbara is bringing more than ten years of sports industry experience to the GLSA,” said Meghan Ziehmer, Executive Director of the GLSA. “I’m excited to have her on the team and see her contribute to the GLSA’s mission to be the leading voice of sports tourism in Greater Lansing.”

Prior to joining GLSA, Powers worked for seven seasons in Hockey Operations at Michigan State University. She was also Director of Operations for the University of Tennessee track & field and cross-country programs from 2012-2016.

As the GLSA’s Sports Events Manager, Barbara will work to coordinate and manage several GLSA-created events, serve as the local organizing committee member on GLSA-secured events and manage long-term and ongoing event partnerships.

Learn more about Barbara Powers

2023 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships Coming to Lansing

The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) in partnership with the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) and the Michigan Horseshoe Pitchers Association is excited to host the 2023 NHPA World Championship in Lansing. The World Championship will be held at the Lansing Center from July 17 - 29, 2023.

“Our team has been working hard to coordinate one of the area’s biggest amateur sporting events of 2023,” said Meghan Ziehmer, Executive Director of the GLSA. “We’re excited to welcome participants from around the world facilitating a sizable economic impact for the region.”

Nearly 1,000 competitors will travel to Lansing from five different countries and 48 of the United States for the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association’s world tournament. The best men’s, women’s and junior horseshoe pitchers in the world will compete for top honors. Local hotels, campgrounds, attractions and restaurants will see an impact as participating athletes, their families and fans will stay in the region for anywhere from four days to the entire two-week duration of the event.

The public is welcome at the opening ceremony on July 17 at 11 a.m. Invited to attend the opening ceremony are Mayor Andy Schor and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. All competitions/events are free and open to the public.

Local attractions are hosting welcome events for participants, including a junior party at Impression 5 Science Center and an NHPA night at Lansing Lugnuts.

For the full event schedule and more information about the World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament, visit

NHPA World Championships

Choose Lansing to Offer Active Shooter Preparedness Training

Join us for this FREE seminar. Space is limited.
This 2-hour program will give you and your organization the tools to help deal with the unexpected. Our certified presenter will show participants what to look out for and what to do in a bad situation. The program will demonstrate the three tactics to keep yourself and others safe during an active shooter attack—run, hide, and fight, and give valuable tools to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Active Shooter Preparedness Monday, September 25, 2023. Two sessions.
- Morning Session: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Register to attend.
- Afternoon session: 2-4 p.m. Register to attend.

Video Thumbnail - youtube - Your Perfect Getaway Is Closer Than You Think - Love Lansing Like a Local

Get Your Greater Lansing Experience Pass

The Lansing Experience Pass is your guide to top attractions, cultural museums, exciting entertainment centers, and family-friendly opportunities throughout Michigan’s Capital region. Download the free digital pass to access deals and discounts as you check into dozens of attractions and accumulate points to earn prizes.

Holiday Inn Express Grand Re-Opening

Congratulations to the Holiday Inn Express in East Lansing for completing a one-million-dollar renovation. The Greater Lansing CVB was honored to be a part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 22, 2023. The renovations included all guest rooms, lobby, and breakfast area.

Pictured: Julie Pingston and Melissa Nay with the team from Indiana Hospitality Group, including Brett Aschlimen, Vice President Sales and Marketing.

Congratulations to Graze Craze

Lindsey and Silas Coffelt were recognized with the 2023 Social Media Presence award at the National Graze Craze Expo in Florida in June 2023 for exemplary efforts to build the brand through social media platforms. Graze Craze specializes in charcuterie boards and boxes and is located in Okemos, MI.

Pictured left to right: Silas Coffelt and Lindsey Coffelt

Ovation Broke Ground

On June 28, 2023, the city of Lansing celebrated the groundbreaking of The Ovation Music and Arts Center. This venue will be a large-scale performing and arts venue in downtown Lansing, where residents and visitors alike can enjoy and create art. The building at the corner of South Washington Square and West Lenawee Street will house a variety of performances, from concerts for national acts to independent films to networking events.

More information

MSU Broad Art Museum Begins Construction on Permanent Collection Space

The MSU Broad Art Museum has started construction on The Center for Object Research and Engagement (The CORE)—an active educational space for their permanent collection that will encourage close looking, learning, and diverse experiences with art.

The MSU Broad Art Museum will remain open throughout construction during normal public hours of Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., with plenty of art and exhibitions on view. Monthly Family Days and other regularly scheduled programs will continue.