Member Newsletter

Join us for an informative session on the upcoming Labor & Employment law changes taking effect on February 21, 2025. These new regulations include mandatory paid sick leave of 72 hours for all workers, and an increase minimum wage to $15, with the elimination of the tip wage by 2030. This legislation has significant implications for all  Michigan Business Owners.

Foster Swift will lead the discussion, providing expert insights and answering your questions on these impactful updates. Don't miss the opportunity to understand how these changes may affect your business and what steps you can take to ensure compliance. 

Multiple dates are available.

• Register to Attend on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
• Virtual Option - Register to Attend on December 9, 2024, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

All in-person sessions will be held at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on the 2nd floor at 500 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912.

Join us on Thursday, October 10 at Zap Zone XL from 4:30-6:30 PM for the fall CTA & Member Mixer! This is a great opportunity to check out Zap Zone’s new and improved space inside the Lansing mall.

Choose Lansing's Ariel Backus was announced by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce as a 10 Over the Next Ten award winner!

This award recognizes Greater Lansing's top 10 young professionals who are expected to contribute significantly to our community over the next ten years!

Congratulations, Ariel!

Congratulations to the winners of the Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards! A special shoutout goes to members Summer Schriner of Grace Boutique and Bad Annies in Old Town, as well as Chad Badgero of Peppermint Creek Theatre Company! Your hard work and dedication truly deserve this recognition!

Pictured: Summer Schriner

Design plans for The Ovation Center for Music and Arts were revealed on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The plans include:

• Two-story main stage for 2,025 fans plus a black box performance area for 200 fans
• Second-story balcony
• Conference rooms and a private party area
• Seven bars and a rooftop terrace
• Multi-purpose rooms, podcast suites, a full music recording studio, and portable gear for community groups, schools, and individual content creators to use

Speakers at the event included Mayor Andy Schor, Dominic Cochran (founding director of the Ovation), and Jim Lammers (president of the Dart Foundation). 

In addition to the new building, local mural artist Max Sansing will be working on a massive mural to be displayed on the side of the existing building portion of the development. 

The center is estimated to be opened in Fall of 2026. 

The MSU Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a new 4,000-seat sports arena and potential hotel. This space would allow the university to remain competitive in the Big Ten Conference.  While the focus will be the arena, other additions could also be included, such as "buildings to support academic programs, a hotel to augment the Kellogg Center, mixed-use retail/office/housing, market-rate housing, and parking to serve the site."

MSU plans to build the new facility on the former Cherry Lane site, south of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center which is currently under construction. 

There were no details about the overall cost of the project. However, the resolution said MSU plans to pay for the arena with event revenue and philanthropy as a funding source, and developers will pay for any buildings that are not MSU-owned on the site. 

The Lansing Letters have been completed! On Monday, September 23, 2024, the Hollywood-style placemaking sign was revealed. Each letter was designed by a different artist who brought their unique style to the project and shared what Lansing means to them in the colorful display. 

• L - Emily Wilson
• A - Teresa Dunn
• N - Jasmyne Wells
• S - Cait Schneider
• I - Sara Pulver
• N - Theresa Rosado
• G - Marissa Tawney Thaler

The letters are 6 feet in height and can be found on the northeast corner of Grand Avenue & Saginaw Street.

On October 3, 2024, Breeze Airways proudly celebrated its inaugural flight from Lansing, Michigan, to Fort Myers, Florida. 

Breeze Airways will be offering one-way flights from Lansing to Orlando and Fort Myers, Florida twice a week. 

Photo Credit: Lansing's Capital Regional International Airport (LAN)

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.