Member Newsletter

Choose Lansing^® held its annual meeting on March 5, sharing the state of the tourism and hospitality industry and the 2024 local visitor economic impact. It celebrated a record-breaking year for hotel room nights, awarded the CTA Star of the Year and recognized longstanding businesses in the community.

Highlights from 2024 included:

• 1,112,196 hotel rooms were sold in 2024
• 86 sports events were hosted
• CTA program set a record number of active CTAs
• Choose Lansing had 95.3% membership retention
• Lansing ranked #2 in Top 10 Accessible Destinations of 2024 by Accessible Journeys Magazine
• Lansing was awarded the 2024 Pure Michigan Trail Towns Award from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Pure Michigan

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Annual Meeting and celebrated with us. 

It’s an exciting time for the Capital region! The next three years* will bring a wave of transformative developments to the Greater Lansing, Michigan landscape. Read below for the list of upcoming projects.

*Opening dates are subject to change as projects continue to move forward.

Photo Credit: KC Maiyo

The Team Lansing Foundation, along with Choose Lansing^®, is pleased to recognize Jeff Magnuson, CTA as the Greater Lansing Certified Tourism Ambassador Star of the Year.  Jeff was honored at the Choose Lansing^® Annual Meeting held on March 5, 2025, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan. 

Congratulations Jeff!

Choose Lansing^®  acknowledged the following local business anniversaries at the 2025 Annual Meeting:

• St. Johns Mint Festival – 40 years
• Insty Prints – 40 years
• Fenner Nature Center’s Apple Butter and Maple Syrup Festivals – 50 years
• Arts Council of Greater Lansing – 60 years
• Lansing Art Gallery – 60 years
• A. Dean Watkins – 75 years
• Michigan High School Athletic Association – 100 years

Choose Lansing^® welcomes Jessica Wilk, CTA as our new Sales Manager. Jessica will be responsible for developing and strengthening relationships with the state association market.

Welcome, Jessica!

Stay informed on the Labor & Employment law changes that took effect on February 21, 2025. These new regulations include mandatory paid sick leave of 72 hours for all workers with 11 or more employees and updates to the Minimum Wage & Tip Credit. This legislation has significant implications for all Michigan business owners, so staying informed is crucial. 

On  March 3, 2025, construction on US-127 will resume and will continue through November. Here are some key points of what to expect:

• Construction lane shifting will start March 3, with the official full closure of Northbound US-127 happening on March 17.
• March to Mid-June will see closures on the Northbound side very similar 2024 southbound with traffic being rerouted to Holt Rd for both East and West bound I-96 traffic
• There will be no access to I-496 Eastbound from US-127 again
• After reopening in Mid-June look for two lanes of traffic being shifted to both sides of US-127
• From Mid-June to October/November will have I- 496 E, Trowbridge, and Kalamazoo Howard exits all closed still.
• Completion date for this project is end of October to early November.
• Lansing River Trail closed for 4 weeks from late May to late June
• Forest Rd closed under US-127 for 90-days mid-season, dates TBD

Join the Michigan Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority, Choose Lansing, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, and City of Lansing leaders for an update on the next phase of Michigan Avenue corridor construction. 

As a vital economic connector between the State Capitol, the City of Lansing, East Lansing, and Michigan State University, Michigan Avenue plays a key role in supporting government, health care, higher education, and hundreds of small businesses. This construction project is a critical investment in the infrastructure needed to support economic growth and enhance placemaking, along the corridor.

Date: Friday, March 7, 2025

Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Where: Zoom (link will be sent upon registration)

Choose Lansing members are invited to attend the St. Johns Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on March 20, 2025. 

This event provides an opportunity for networking and engagement with St. Johns business community members. 

To register and for further details, please contact Director@stjohnsareachamber.org.

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.

***You will not receive a full certification certificate for this class as this is a basic knowledge class.

When: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Where: Choose Lansing | 500 E. Michigan Ave, Ste. 180. Ample free parking is available onsite accessible from Cedar Street and Larch Street. 

Save the date for the Spring Member & CTA Mixer with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce! 

When: May 13, 2025

Time: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Where: High Caliber Karting & Entertainment

More details and registration to follow.

Zap Zone XL has been named the North American finalist and a top-three global contender for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Brass Ring Award for Top FEC of the Year! A truly outstanding achievement!

Congratulations!

The Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) has awarded Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority with the 2024 Airport Manager of the Year Award. The award recognizes Noll-Williams' exceptional leadership and her significant contributions to Michigan's aviation industry.

Congratulations, Nicole!

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. 

• 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.