Member Newsletter

If you were unable to join us for the January 15 Membership Moments with Melissa, the recording is still available in the member portal. We shared a comprehensive recap of how 2025 concluded and what those results mean for our region.

I am pleased to report that we closed 2025 with another record-breaking year for room nights. Our region reached a total of 1,137,836 room nights, resulting in an overall occupancy rate of 55.4 percent. These numbers reflect the continued strength of our hospitality community and the collective efforts of our members to attract visitors and elevate the Greater Lansing experience.

Our next virtual Membership Moments will take place on Monday, April 13 from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. We are excited to welcome Meghan Ziehmer, Executive Director of the Lansing Sports Commission, who will provide an overview of upcoming spring and summer sporting events and the impact they are expected to have on our region. Register to attend.

Choose Lansing^®held its annual meeting March 3 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing, sharing an update on the region’s tourism industry, local visitor economic impact and upcoming initiatives. The event highlighted a record year for hotel room nights, recognized the CTA Star of the Year and previewed priorities for 2026.

Learn more about the 2026 Annual Meeting and view the 2025 Annual Report.

The Team Lansing Foundation, along with Choose Lansing^®, is pleased to recognize Cheryl Ward, CTA, owner of Time To Travel, as the Greater Lansing Certified Tourism Ambassador Star of the Year. 

Congratulations, Cheryl!

Each month, the membership team at Choose Lansing will shine a spotlight on our valued members celebrating significant milestone anniversaries. This month we’re proud to recognize Falsetta’s Casa Nova, celebrating 75 years in business!

Founded in 1951 by William Falsetta and his brother Fred, the family-owned restaurant has served generations of Lansing-area families and visitors, becoming a familiar gathering place for celebrations, traditions, and everyday meals.

To mark the milestone, Choose Lansing Director of Membership and Community Engagement Melissa Nay stopped by to present owner Bill Falsetta and his team with a commemorative plaque.

Now operating on Waverly Road, Bill and his team continue a decades-long legacy of hospitality. We appreciate Falsetta’s lasting presence in Greater Lansing and the role it plays in welcoming guests to the region.

Congratulations to Falsetta’s Casa Nova on 75 years!

Pictured is owner Bill Falsetta with Membership Director Melissa Nay and his dedicated staff. 

Choose Lansing Convention Sales and Services Manager Jenn Morden has earned a Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM), a globally recognized credential for experienced leaders in the meetings and events industry. Approximately 1,700 professionalsworldwide currently hold a CMM.

The CMM program is a graduate-level executive education program administered through the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and the Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management and in partnership with Meeting Professionals International (MPI). It combines leadership training, advanced coursework and a capstone project focused on solving a real-world business challenge.

For her capstone project, Morden developed an integrated servicing model for Choose Lansing that includes a new standard operating procedure for the transition between the organization’s sales and services teams. The process is designed to improve internal communication, streamline
planning logistics and enhance the overall planner experience.

“The program encouraged strategic thinking about how we serve our clients,” Morden said. “My goal was to create a more seamless experience for planners by strengthening collaboration behind the scenes. I’m excited to apply what I learned to future events in Greater Lansing.”

Join us for an update from the City of Lansing's Andy Kilpatrick and Christopher Mumby on upcoming impactful city construction projects for the 2026 construction season. This virtual seminar is open to Choose Lansing & Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Members. 

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Where: Virtually on Zoom (link will be sent in your confirmation email)

Choose Lansing, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce & City of Lansing will host this event.

Register to attend.

• Monday, May 11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• 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.