Member Newsletter

March 2022

President's Message

It was a wonderful opportunity to host our Annual Meeting in person at NCG Cinema this year. Thank you to all who were able to attend! Please find the full details from the Meeting along with our 2021 Annual Report within this newsletter. I would like to share my introductory comments at the meeting with you.

I want to take a moment and thank everyone in the tourism and hospitality industry for forging their way through each day as you serve our visitors and community. As if the pandemic was not enough, we now deal with workforce shortages, food pricing increases, food shortages, along with managing guest expectations. Just when people are planning travel and choosing to attend larger events, these issues continue to hinder us as an industry. According to Longwoods International, nine out of ten travelers have travel plans booked over the next six months. We thank you for keeping a smile on your face and giving your all as guests continue to return.

In the Annual Report for 2019, we stated that “looking ahead, 2020 is shaping to be a transformational year for Greater Lansing.” Little did we know how transformational the next two years would be. We are energized to see the industry continue to rebound as we look forward.

Please see the other articles in this newsletter about the CTA Star of the Year and 10 local businesses we celebrated for their milestone anniversaries. I look forward to working with you all throughout 2022 as we Transform Lansing together.

Annual Meeting Review

The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) held its annual meeting on March 1 and shared the state of the hospitality industry and 2021 local visitor economic impact. It also celebrated a local author as the CTA Star of the Year and recognized 10 area tourism related businesses for milestone anniversaries. Many of which have been in business for 50, 85 and 100 years.

Julie Pingston, GLCVB President and CEO reflects, “coming out of the pandemic’s crisis mode of 2020 we looked to 2021 to be a transformational year for the region’s hospitality industry. A primary indicator of the vibrancy of the industry is hotel occupancy and ADR and we were pleased to see steady growth in both.”

The year ended with a hotel occupancy rate of 49%, better than the 2020 rate of 40%, but still far off pace from the region’s highest occupancy of 65% recorded in 2019. The region’s hotel average daily rate also continued to rebound ending 2021 at $92.59 compared to $82.28 in 2020.

Congratulations to Amy Piper as 2022 CTA Star of the Year!

During the annual meeting, the GLCVB recognized many of the region's 400 Certified Tourism Ambassadors that are dedicated to making every visitor experience a positive one. Those acknowledged include 34 CTAs that have served the community for five years and 52 CTAs that have served for 10 years. Amy Piper, CTA local author of 100 Things to Do in Lansing Before You Die was celebrated as the CTA Star of the Year.

Congratulations to GLCVB Members!

The GLCVB acknowledged the anniversary milestones achieved by the following local attractions and businesses:

- Harris Nature Center – 25 years (in 2022)

- Michigan Princess Riverboat – 30 years (in 2021)

- Harrison Roadhouse – 40 years (in 2021)

- Rick’s American Café – 40 years (in 2021)

- Roadhouse Pub – 30 years (in 2021)

- Nuthouse Sports Grill – 25 years (in 2021)

- Impression 5 Science Center – 50 years (in 2022)

- Quality Dairy – 85 years (in 2021)

- The Peanut Shop – 85 years (in 2022)

- Harry’s Place – 100 years (in 2022)

Pictured

Front Row Left to Right: Katie Adams (Harris Nature Center), LuAnn Maisner (Harris Nature Center), Allison Goodman (Harris Nature Center), Harea Bates (Harry’s Place), Hugh Bates (Harry’s Place), and Julie Pingston (GLCVB)

Back Row Left to Right: Erik Larson (Impression 5 Science Center), Adam Seyburn (The Peanut Shop), Chris Chamberlain (Michigan Princess Riverboat), Joe Goodsir (Rick's American Café, Harrison Roadhouse, Harrison Pub, and The Nuthouse).

Region to host five different national sports events over the next seven weeks

The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is proud to announce the region will play host to multiple national level events beginning February 25 through April 10. Collectively mid-Michigan will welcome over 3,000 athletes from across the U.S., competing in judo, wrestling, archery, and bowling, all of whom will bring additional coaches, officials and spectators looking to fill hotels, restaurants, shops and more.

Mike Price, executive director of the GLSA states, “These events kick off a strong year of sports tournaments for our community after all the pandemic-related disruptions to the sports industry. There is nothing like developing collaborations that give youth a chance to compete while also fostering economic development for the region. Greater Lansing is highly respected as a tournament destination. We can’t wait to showcase our many offerings to the visiting athletes, officials and spectators.”