Member Newsletter

August is here, which means one thing in Greater Lansing—it’s almost time to welcome thousands of Michigan State University students back to campus! With the return of students comes an exciting and busy season for many of our members.

Last week, we hosted our quarterly Membership Moments with Melissa virtual meeting, where we shared important Michigan State University dates to help you plan for the months ahead. Be sure to bookmark these dates as they can have a significant impact on visitor traffic, business activity, and hotel demand throughout the region.

Upcoming MSU Dates

• Welcome Week (Freshmen & Sophomores): August 25–27
•  First Day of Classes: August 31
• Parents Weekend: October 16–18
• Fall Commencement (Breslin Center): December 18–19

2026 MSU Football Home Schedule

• Friday, September 4 – Toledo Rockets
• September 12 – Eastern Michigan Eagles
• September 26 – Nebraska Cornhuskers
• October 10 – Illinois Fighting Illini
• October 17 – Northwestern Wildcats
• November 14 – Washington Huskies
• Friday, November 20 – Oregon Ducks

Missed the virtual meeting? The recording is available in the Member Portal for you to watch at your convenience.

If you need assistance accessing the Member Portal or have not yet set up your account, please reach out to me. I’m happy to help get you connected so you can take advantage of all the resources available to our members.

Next Membership Moments will be in October. Date to be announced soon!

Summer Member & CTA Mixer at Lansing Duckpin. Experience the hype of Duckpin Bowling!

Join us at Lansing's newest attraction while enjoying a beverage of your choice, food from Toscana, and cookies from Dunk'd. 

Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026

Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: 3224 E. Michigan Ave Ste. G Lansing, MI 48912

Parking: Available in the sunken parking lot behind the AC & Hyatt House Hotels.

Register Now!

Membership invoices were emailed to you the first week in June 2026. Please update your invoice recipient via the member portal or send an email to mnay@lansing.org to ensure we have the correct contact information for the person who will be receiving your invoice. Payments can be made now by logging into the Member Portal.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership!

Choose Lansing's Julie Pingston, President & CEO, presented the Capital City International Airport team with a commemorative plaque celebrating an incredible 100 years of flight. 

For a century, the airport has served as a vital gateway for the region, connecting Mid-Michigan to the world and driving local economic growth. The Capital City International Airport has played an indispensable role in shaping our community's history, supporting local commerce, and welcoming generations of travelers home. 

Congratulations to the Capital City International Airport on this historic accomplishment! We are proud to celebrate 100 years of aviation excellence with you.

Pictured: Julie Pingston and Nicole Noll-Williams

Choose Lansing's Director of Membership & Community Engagement, Melissa Nay, was honored to present owner Bob Matthiesen with a commemorative plaque celebrating 50 years of business success.

Since 1976, Pop-ity Popcorn has been putting smiles on customers' faces with specialty popcorn, homemade cotton candy, concession equipment, supplies, and more. Over the past five decades, they have become a trusted partner for schools, businesses, community events, fundraisers, and attractions throughout the region.

Reaching a 50-year milestone is an incredible achievement and a testament to the dedication, customer service, and quality that have helped Pop-ity Popcorn thrive for generations.

Congratulations to Bob and the entire Pop-ity Popcorn team on this remarkable accomplishment. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to seeing your continued success for years to come!

Pictured: Melssa Nay, Bob Matthiesen, and the Pop-ity Popcorn Staff

USA Today recently conducted a nationwide “10Best Readers’ Choice Awards” contest to choose the 10Best Bus Services in America for 2026. And for the third year in a row, Indian Trails was selected as one of the top three 10Best!

This year, readers voted Indian Trails #2 of the 10Best, above such well-known companies as Megabus, Greyhound, and FlixBus. Also, of the 146 private regular route and charter bus companies in the state, Indian Trails was the only Michigan bus service to make the 10Best list. Moreover, Indian Trails is one of nearly 9,000 scheduled and chartered bus companies in the U.S.

 “These 10Best bus companies are selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S.,” says USA Today.

Congratulations, Indian Trails!

Learn more at USA Today Names Indian Trails One of America's 10Best Bus Companies.

• Monday, November 16, 2026, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, February 18, 2027, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 10, 2027, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 20, 2027, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, May 17, 2027, 1 p.m. to 5 pm.m.
• Wednesday, June 9, 2027, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All classes will be located at the Choose Lansing® offices, located at 500 E. Michigan Ave.  Ste 180. Free parking is available in the back of the building that can be accessed from both Cedar & Larch Streets. Light refreshments are provided at each class.

Register for a class.

Apply to the Kristina Kauffman Scholarship Fund. 

Contact Melissa Nay with any questions.at mnay@lansing.org or by phone at 517-377-1410.