Member Newsletter

Who's Visiting the Lansing Area?

Our visitors are coming from both near and far — but most are right here in the Midwest! Below is some important data of our typical visitor that will surprise you.

• Top Origin Markets: Michigan leads the way, followed by Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Florida.


• Travel Distance: 73% of our visitors travel between 50–250 miles to reach Lansing. Also, 18% of our visitors are coming from more than 500 miles away!


• Length of Stay: When they stay, visitors spend an average of 1.4 days in the area.


• Overnight Stays: 70% of visitors stay overnight.


• Repeat Visitors: 66.4% have visited Lansing before — showing strong loyalty and satisfaction with their experience in Lansing!

Our next Membership Moments with Melissa is on January 15, 2026, from 9 - 9:45 a.m.

For this quarter, I’ll be joined by Beth Jespersen, Research & Technology Systems Manager, where together we’ll be diving into our tourism outlook for 2026, and how 2025 is projected to end.

Celebrate the magic of the season at the 41st Annual Silver Bells in the City on Friday, November 21, 2025! This cherished tradition features a festive atmosphere filled with music, dazzling light displays, and holiday cheer! 

Enjoy a colorful electric light parade, the lighting of Michigan's official Christmas tree, a vibrant holiday market, a drone show, fireworks finale, and family-friendly activities that capture the spirit of the season! Choose Lansing is also the proud sponsor of the Community Sing featuring Zach Seabaugh from The Voice.

Experience a night of joy, community, and unforgettable memories to kick off the holiday season!

The Capital Region Community Foundation held a public grand opening celebration for the new Fish Ladder Music Park on Friday, October 24 in Old Town Lansing. Free live performances included Flames and Dames, Larry Roy Sumner Jr., and DJ Juan Trevino.

Public and private investments totalling $2.6 million transformed Burchard Park on Lansing's Riverfront into a unique, accessible public space for concerts, festivals, community events, and wellness activities. 

The park features:

• Increased accessibility for all


• Permanent performance stage and seating


• LAFCU Sound Booth and electrical infrastructure for "plug-and-play" performances


• BWL Electric Forest


• Vibrant mural surrounding the stage by acclaimed local artist Brian Whitfield


• Elevated bench swings overlooking the river


• Gas fireplace and accessible seating

The Community Foundation led the design, implementation, and funding of the project. Major contributions were received from LAFCU, Board of Water & Light, Wieland, Lake Trust Credit Union, MSU Federal Credit Union, the City of Lansing, and many generous individuals.

The Lansing Lugnuts have received the Minor League Baseball 2025 Golden Bobblehead award for Best Local Partner Activation with their Conservation Carnival. 

The Lansing Lugnuts partnered with numerous conservation organizations to host the event at Jackson^® Field^TM. The one-of-a-kind event celebrated native plants, pollinators, and conservation education through the fun of a traditional carnival atmosphere to the 3,412 fans in attendance that day. 

Congratulations, Lansing Lugnuts!

Congratulations to Nikki Thompson Frazier, owner of Sweet Encounter Bakery, for landing a $35,000 investment at the Clover x Shark Tank Summit in October. 

The Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) and Legends Global, premier partner to the world's greatest live events, venues, and brands, announced the appointment of Tony Watson as general manager of the Lansing Center. 

In addition to the Lansing Center, Watson will also oversee Groesbeck Golf Course and Jackson Field. Watson brings 25 years of experience in venue management to the three city-owned properties, most recently serving as assistant general manager at Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.

Thank you so much for joining us at the Choose Lansing Fall Member & CTA Mixer at the REO Town Clubhouse. The event would not have been a success without you. These are the perfect opportunities to network and make connections. Your participation is what makes these events so valuable. 

As the holiday season approaches, we encourage you to submit your coupons and deals through the member portal. Whether it's a special discount on gifts, festive meals, or holiday activities, sharing these valuable offers allows visitors to enjoy the season without breaking the bank

Are you featuring a special Thanksgiving meal? We’d love to help promote it! Please send your Thanksgiving meal details to Lori Lanspeary at llanspeary@lansing.org or Amie Lucas at alucas@lansing.org, and we'll include it on our Holiday Activities & Events and on social media. 

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. 

• Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


• Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.


• 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.