Member Newsletter

June 2025 Edition

Exciting Developments on the Horizon!

During April’s virtual Membership Moments with Melissa, I shared updates on several major developments that will soon shape the future of the Greater Lansing region. The energy around the phrase “Lansing’s Time is Now” is more than just words—it’s truly becoming our reality. Here’s a quick look at what’s ahead:

Spartan Gateway District

A transformative project led by the Gillespie Group and Goldenrod Companies is set to redevelop 14 acres at the intersection of Trowbridge and Harrison Roads. The vision includes a state-of-the-art athletic arena, hotel, new housing, office spaces, and retail opportunities. This area will serve as the new home for MSU's Volleyball, Wrestling, and Gymnastics programs. Additionally, the Lansing Sports Commission^® and MHSAA are key partners, ensuring the space will host a variety of events year-round.

New Vision Lansing

Downtown Lansing and Old Town are getting a major boost with New Vision Lansing - a development of five apartment complexes totaling over 600 new residential units, led by Gentilozzi Real Estate. The centerpiece? A striking 28-story tower is now under construction at 236 S. Grand Avenue, soon to be the tallest building in Downtown Lansing.

Lansing City Hall Relocation

Just steps from the New Vision project, construction is underway on the new David Hollister City Hall, named in honor of the former mayor. Located at 425 S. Grand Avenue, the facility is slated for completion in late 2026. Once City Hall has moved, the current building will be reimagined into a hotel with views of the Capitol.

Mark Your Calendar

Join us for our next Membership Moments session on Wednesday, July 30. We’re thrilled to welcome Adrienne Cooley, Social Media Manager at Choose Lansing^®, as our special guest. You won’t want to miss this engaging and insightful conversation!

You're invited to the Summer Mixer with the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce!

Join us for a fun-filled evening in Historic Downtown Mason! We're kicking things off with great food, refreshing drinks, and good company - and wrapping up with live music on the courthouse lawn. 

Start your evening at BAD Brewingm where your first drink and food are on us!

When: July 24, 2025

Time: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Where: BAD Brewing Company | 440 S. Jefferson St, Mason, MI 48854

After the mixer, bring your lawn chairs and head over to the Courthouse Lawn for a high-energy performance by Mixed Flavors. The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce has a special reserved section for mixer guests - right up front!

Where: 315 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Choose Lansing^® is excited to announce the relaunch of the Greater Lansing Experience Pass. With more than $100 in potential savings, this pass provides exclusive deals at participating attractions! The pass is free and is good until December 31, 2025.

Mary Hedin started working at Choose Lansing^® in November 2024 as a Certified Tourist Ambassador. On April 28, 2025, she joined the team as the Visitor Services Coordinator.

Before working at Choose Lansing, Mary was a Registered Nurse for nearly 32 years. She worked 30 of those years at McLaren Greater Lansing, mostly as an Emergency Nurse. She retired as an Infection Control Specialist. 

Welcome to the team, Mary!

Lindsay Fast joined the Lansing Sports Commission^® team in May 2025. 

Before the Lansing Sports Commission^®, Lindsay worked as the Executive Secretary and Office Manager for the Michigan State University Hockey Program, where she was instrumental in managing operations, coordinating high-profile events, and supporting coaches, staff, athletes, alumni, and guests. 

Welcome to the team, Lindsay!

Old Nation Brewing Co. won the inaugural Detroit News Michigan Craft Brewery Bracket Challenge!

This reader-voted competition saw Old Nation's popular brews, including their renowned M-43 New England IPA, triumph over other strong contenders, solidifying their reputation as a fan favorite! Congratulations, Old Nation Brewing Co.!

R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and Impression 5 Science Center joined the Blue Star Museums program in early May. The program is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.

The core of the program is to offer free admission to those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members. 

The Travel Michigan team is excited to share a new toolkit of resources for tourism and hospitality businesses throughout the state. This toolkit provides a collection of marketing opportunities with the Travel Michigan team – many of which are offered at no cost. While these opportunities are outlined in more detail on michigan.org, this toolkit includes concise printable documents with relevant contact information for the Travel Michigan team and our partners.

MSU Professor, Dr. Bonnie Knutson, has been named a honoree of the Star of Touring Broadway award by The Broadway League. 

This award recognized board members, government officials, donors, and volunteers who support and champion the touring Broadway series offered in their hometowns. 

Congratulations, Dr. Knutson!

Photo Credit: The Wharton Center

Join us for a FREE seminar at our Choose Lansing office in downtown Lansing. This is a two-hour basic class for First Aid, CPR & AED. The class offers a quick and easy way to get the tools needed in case of an emergency. Our certified trainer will teach the quick basics to help you in an emergency until trained help arrives. This course is taught in a dynamic and hands-on way with a National Safety Council industry-leading curriculum and content from experts in occupational first aid training.

*** This is a basic knowledge class, so you will not receive a full certification.

When: Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Where: The session will be held on-site at the Choose Lansing Visitor Center at 500 E Michigan Ave. Ste. 180.  Ample free parking is available onsite, accessible from Cedar & Larch Streets.

Your annual invoice for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 was emailed on June 2, 2025. Payments can be made starting mid-May by visiting the Member Portal. To ensure you receive your invoice promptly, please inform Melissa Nay to mnay@lansing.org if your organization's primary billing contact has changed in the last year.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Spring Member & CTA Mixer with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce at High Caliber Karting!

The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals took place on the campus of Michigan State University from May 21-24, 2025. It was a tremendous success thanks to our dedicated community! Thank you to everyone who participated in welcoming the teams to the Greater Lansing region. Your efforts highlighted the warmth and hospitality of our community to over 16,000 visitors from around the world. 

Looking to hire in Lansing? You can post your job openings directly on Lansing.org! This valuable resource is available to hotels, restaurants, attractions, event venues, and other local hospitality businesses. Just use the Choose Lansing^® Member Portal or the convenient online form found on Workforce Development to get started. 

Breeze Airways announced a new service from Lansing, MI to Tampa, FL, starting October 1, 2025. The new route will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with fares starting from $79 one-way.

Breeze Airways, the premium leisure carrier offering affordable flights across the U.S., today announced new service from Lansing to Tampa, Fla., starting October 1. The new route will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with fares starting from $79* one-way.

“We are so excited to continue growing with Breeze Airways and to add another nonstop sunny destination option for our customers and the entire mid-Michigan region,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA). “The addition of nonstop service to Tampa gives our community more travel options and greater access to Florida, all with the stress-free travel experience of flying Lansing. We are grateful for our continued partnership with Breeze Airways and for their commitment to our airport and the greater Lansing region.”

The Member Portal is your one-stop shop for maximizing your membership benefits. Choose Lansing offers convenient in-person or Zoom virtual training to best fit your schedule. Here's a glimpse of what you can accomplish:

Boost Your Online Presence

Update your business listings on both Lansing.org and LansingSports.org to ensure potential customers always have the latest information.

Showcase your business with fresh photos on your website listing.

Generate Business & Leads

Access the convention calendar to see who's in town. Great for outbound marketing.

Respond directly to leads for hotels, meeting facilities, or sports venues.

Offer exclusive discounts or special coupons to attract new customers.

Connect & Network

Easily connect with your industry peers and expand your professional network. 

Manage Your Account & More

Post hospitality job openings directly to the website to find top talent. 

Pay your membership dues quickly and conveniently.

Promote your public events.

Order visitor guides for your guests and clients.

Update your contact information so you never miss an important update.

Contact Beth Jespersen with questions or to set up your member portal training. 

• Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, November 16, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 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.