Member Newsletter

The Holiday Season Is Here -  Let's Get Your Business in the Spotlight!

The holiday season is officially upon us! The hustle and bustle of the holidays is already getting underway. From Thanksgiving dinners and holiday celebrations to Christmas shopping and unique, locally made gifts, visitors and residents are starting to make their plans for the season.

Our marketing team is working to highlight all the great ways to celebrate, shop, dine, and experience the holidays throughout Greater Lansing. Are you offering a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal? Hosting holiday parties or special events? Offering seasonal menus, holiday promotions, special deals, or unique gifts? Let me know! We want to help get the word out and make sure our members are part of the holiday conversation through our social media channels and other promotional opportunities.

A quick reminder about our Annual Holiday Showcase!

If you haven't registered yet, now is the time! We're getting close to filling all available exhibitor spots for this year's Holiday Showcase on Tuesday, December 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lansing Center.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members, showcase what your business has to offer to meeting planners, and help spread a little holiday cheer throughout our hospitality community. If you'd like to participate, email me as soon as possible, and I'll get a registration link sent your way.

Let's make this holiday season a great one for our visitors and for Greater Lansing!

Congratulations to TownePlace Suites by Marriott East Lansing on celebrating 25 years of hospitality in Greater Lansing!

Conveniently located near the Michigan State University campus at 2855 Hannah Blvd., TownePlace Suites has been welcoming visitors to our community for a quarter of a century. From visiting families and university guests to business travelers and Spartan fans, the hotel has played an important role in providing a comfortable home away from home for those visiting our region.

Melissa Nay, Director of Membership and Community Engagement at Choose Lansing^®, presented General Manager Amanda Nitz and the hotel’s team with a special congratulations in recognition of this impressive milestone.

Please join us in congratulating Amanda and the entire TownePlace Suites team on 25 wonderful years! We appreciate your continued commitment to hospitality and to making Greater Lansing a welcoming destination for visitors.

Here’s to many more years of success!

Celebrate the magic of the season at the 42nd Annual Silver Bells in the City! Occurring in downtown Lansing on Friday, November 20, 2026, 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 holiday market, a drone show, a fireworks finale, and family-friendly activities. 

Choose Lansing ^® is also the proud sponsor of the Community Sing. 

Experience a night of joy, community, and unforgettable memories to kick off the holiday season! Learn more at Silver Bells in the City. 

The Spartan Engagement Ambassador (SEA) Program strengthens campus–community partnerships by embedding MSU students in local municipalities and regional organizations. Through this unique model, SEA interns support community-driven initiatives while gaining hands-on experience with local leaders and developing essential career skills. Current internship sites include City of East Lansing, Meridian Township, Lansing EDC, Choose Lansing^®, and Lansing 5:01.

Choose Lansing^® welcomes Lucy Van Hof as our current SEA intern. Lucy is an MSU senior and is studying Religious Studies and nonprofit Leadership. She is set to graduate in Spring of 2027. Be sure to look for Lucy at Choose Lansing^® member events throughout the fall.

On Thursday, November 5, 2026, the Lansing Sports Commission^® hosted the Lansing Sports Tourism Summit at Spartan Stadium. The summit allowed individuals to connect and discuss the potential of sport to transform our region.

Keynote speaker John David, President and CEO of the Sports Events and Tourism Association, talked about the growing influence of sports tourism and its strategic connection to regional growth and vitality. This included exploring how communities leveraged athletic events, recreational assets, and public spaces to attract visitors, stimulate economic development, and enhance quality of life. 

Following the keynote, a panel discussed how university partnerships can unlock powerful economic and social benefits through sport.

For more information on how sports impact the community, visit Sports Tourism Summit. 

Join tourism professionals from across Michigan for the 2026 TICOM Tourism Conference, a one-day event bringing together leaders, partners, policymakers, and industry professionals for timely conversations, practical ideas, and meaningful connections. The day features legislative and Travel Michigan updates, marketing research, a rapid-fire "Great Ideas" session, breakout sessions, sponsor networking, and discussions focused on the issues and opportunities shaping Michigan’s tourism industry.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Welcoming Reception, Graduate Rock Bar

Thursday, November 19, 2026

7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - The Graduate by Hilton East Lansing. Register at TICOM Tourism Conference to attend. 

Graduate by Hilton East Lansing - reserve your room now! The discounted group rate is $169/night. Note: The hotel room block releases on October 19.

Please note the MI Travel Commission will meet in conjunction with the TICOM Tourism Conference on Wednesday, November 18 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Graduate by Hilton East Lansing. The meeting is open to all and, while we encourage your attendance, you do not need to be registered for the conference to attend the Travel Commission meeting.

About the Conference
The TICOM Tourism Conference brings Michigan's tourism industry together to collaborate, share insights, and examine the trends reshaping travel across the state.

You'll hear from industry leaders, join the conversations shaping the year ahead, connect with peers, and leave with ideas and resources you can put to work in your own organization and community.

More Details: https://www.mitourismcoalition.org/

Questions: Larisa Draves, TICOM Executive Director, mitourismcoalition@gmail.com

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. 

• 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.