Member Newsletter

The Team Lansing Foundation, along with Choose Lansing^TM, is pleased to recognize Tracy Welch, CTA as the Greater Lansing Certified Tourism Ambassador Star of the Year. Tracy was honored at the Choose Lansing^TM Annual Meeting held on February 27, 2024 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.

Choose Lansing^TM celebrated the anniversaries of five local businesses at the 2024 Annual Meeting. 

- Silver Bells in the City - 40 years
- Beggar’s Banquet - 50 years
- Abrams Planetarium - 60 years
- Riverwalk Theatre - 60 years
- Linn & Owen Jewelers - 107 years

Thank you for being part of our community for so many years!

Pictured:
Right to Left
Liane Zimny -  Riverwalk Theatre, Brian Farnham - Riverwalk Theater, Shannon Schmoll, PhD. -  Abrams Planetarium, Jenny Limas - Beggar Banquet, Stewart Powell - Linn & Owen Jewelers, and Mindy Biladea - Silver Bells in the City.

Choose Lansing is excited to announce the recent promotion of the following staff members.

Tracy Padot, CTA, Chief Marketing Officer

Formerly Vice President of Marketing Communications, Tracy Padot has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. Tracy has been a part of the Choose Lansing team since 2000 and leads the marketing efforts for both Choose Lansing and the Lansing Sports Commission.

Stephanie Wohlfert, CMP, CTA, Director of Sales, State Accounts

After six years at Choose Lansing, Stephanie Wohlfert has been promoted to Director of Sales, State Accounts. In addition to her current sales responsibilities with the state association and government markets, Stephanie also manages multiple professional meeting groups.

Ariel Backus, CMP, CTA, Director of Sales, National Accounts

Ariel joined the Choose Lansing sales team in 2022 with more than 10 years of event management and sales experience. In her role as Director of Sales, National Accounts, Ariel aims to attract new business to the region from around the country. She also runs the Spartan Meetings in the 517 group.

Beth Jespersen, CTA, Research and Technology Systems Manager

Beth is now the Research and Technology Systems Manager to recognize the role she plays in working with our data vendors as well as providing analysis of the data for the organization.

Anne Lavender, CTA, Executive Coordinator

Anne is now Executive Coordinator to fully encompass her role with the Board of Directors and coordination of her membership and CTA responsibilities.

Join Choose Lansing and the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce for an exclusive conversation with Michigan Liquor Control Commission Chair Kristin Beltzer

During this Townhall, Chair Beltzer will share an overview of the Michigan Liquor Control including the process and ways to strengthen relationships between the commission and the business community.

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Time: 3:00-4:00 PM

Where: Lansing Regional Chamber Boardroom; 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste 200, Lansing, MI 48912

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.

When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 AM

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

Join us for this FREE seminar. This 2-hour program presented by Justin Moore of Spartan Krav Maga, will give you and your organization the tools to help deal with the unexpected. The presenter will show participants what to look out for and what to do in a bad situation. 

When: Monday, May 13, 2024

Time: 2 - 4 p.m.

Where: Spare Time Entertainment Center, 3101 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI, 48912. Ample free parking is available on site.

When: Tuesday, May 14, 4:30-6:30 PM

Where: Lansing Shuffle

Registration will open soon!

Sign up for free member portal training! In-person and zoom options are available.

Stay In the Know with the Member Portal:

• Access the convention calendar – see who’s in town. Great for outbound marketing
• Update your business website listing for both lansing.org and lansingsports.org
• Update your contact information
• Update your photos within your website listing
• Offer a discount or special offer coupon
• Connect with industry peers
• Respond to Hotel, Meeting Facility, or Sports Venue leads
• Pay Membership Dues Invoice
• Post a hospitality job opening on the website
• Post a public event to the website
• Order Visitor Guides

• 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.