Member Newsletter

September is here! That means fall is on the way, along with cooler weather, pumpkins, and, of course, back-to-school season.

I hope everyone survived the return to school and helped welcome students back to Michigan State University for the 2026–2027 school year. This year’s incoming class is the second largest in MSU history, bringing plenty of energy and excitement back to the Greater Lansing region.

Now, I hate to jump straight from fall into the holidays, but here we go!

Choose Lansing’s biggest event of the year, the Annual Holiday Showcase, is right around the corner. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, December 8, 2026. Please mark your calendars!

You will also want to join us for the next Membership Moments with Melissa on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 9 a.m. We’ll be talking about all things Holiday Showcase, including this year’s theme, expectations, timeline, and more. We’ll also provide an update on where we stand as we head into the fourth quarter of 2026.

Please register to join us: Register for Membership Moments with Melissa

As a reminder, Holiday Showcase table reservations will open on October 1. You can reserve your table beginning October 1 and still attend Membership Moments to get all the details you need to prepare for this year’s event.

I hope you’ll join us as we head into a busy and exciting final quarter of 2026!

Join fellow Choose Lansing members and CTAs for networking and a fun scavenger hunt throughout Woldumar Nature Center's beautiful grounds. You’ll have a chance to explore the nature center’s 180 acres of hiking trails and various indoor event spaces, all while enjoying and connecting with fellow members & CTAs. 

Food & Drinks will be provided by Ohana & Fuel'd and dessert by Cakes-a-Bloomin, so come hungry and ready for a great afternoon exploring one of Delta Township's top attractions.

Date: Monday, October 5, 2026

Time: 4:30 – 6:30 PM

Location: Woldumar Nature Center | 5739 Old Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI 48917

Register to Attend

Sports have the power to transform local economies and build community. Join the Lansing Sports Commission and fellow regional leaders for an insightful morning focused on emerging national trends, strategic partnerships, and community growth. This summit offers an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who believe in sport's potential to transform our region. 

When: Thursday, November 5, 2026

Where: Spartan Stadium

Attendees will learn about national trends, explore partnership opportunities, and develop collaborative strategies that elevate Greater Lansing as a premier sporting hub. 

Keynote & Panelists Include:

• John David, President & CEO of Sports Tourism and Events Association
• Seth Kesler, MSU Athletics Event Manager
• Jeff Latinen, MSU Auxiliary Sports Group
• Playmakers
• Dan Ekonen, Special Olympics of Michigan
• Chad Stevens, DeWitt Area Recreation Authority

Learn more and register to attend.

Don’t lose out on valuable member benefits! Payments were due July 1^st but if you did not receive your invoice in June, please let us know! You can update your invoice recipient via the member portal or send an email to mnay@lansing.org to ensure we have the correct contact information for the person who will be receiving your invoice. Payments can be made now by logging into the Member Portal.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership!

Choose Lansing is pleased to announce the addition of Julie VanAcker, CTA, as Membership & Community Outreach Coordinator. 

Julie joins Choose Lansing with experience in community engagement, events, partnerships, and promotions. In her new role, she will work alongside Director of Membership & Community Engagement, Melissa Nay, to support Choose Lansing members and community outreach efforts throughout the Greater Lansing area. Learn more about Julie.

Welcome, Julie!

Restaurant Week is back for fall! Join us October 1-7, 2026 for 517 Community Restaurant Week, happening as part of 517 Living's Community Week.

Lansing 5:01, Lansing Foodies, Choose Lansing, and 517 Living are teaming up to shine a spotlight on restaurants, chefs, and locally owned businesses that make Greater Lansing's dining scene so special. This is a great opportunity to introduce your restaurant to new customers, showcase a signature dish, and encourage guests to dine locally.

To participate, you must offer a $7 Signature item. This is your opportunity to showcase a customer favorite, a new creation, or something that represents your restaurant.

Optional ways to give diners even more value include a $5 featured drink or $17 meal deal; this could be an entree, entree and side, lunch special, or another combination that works for your restaurant.

The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 18, 2026.

Ready to participate? Sign Up Now!

Congratulations to the Mason Area Historical Society on celebrating an incredible 50 years of preserving Mason's rich history!

It was an honor for Choose Lansing's Director of Membership & Community Engagement, Melissa Nay, to present a commemorative plaque to Board President Charles Herrick and fellow board members in recognition of this remarkable milestone.

For five decades, this volunteer-driven nonprofit has worked tirelessly to preserve the stories, artifacts, and historic places that make Mason such a special community. Through educational presentations held each year from March through September, along with the operation of the Mason Historical Museum and the historic Pink School House, they continue to inspire curiosity and connect generations to our local heritage.

What makes their work even more meaningful is that every dollar donated goes directly toward maintaining these treasured historic sites. Their dedication ensures that residents and visitors alike can continue to experience Mason's history for years to come.

If you've never visited the Mason Historical Museum (open Saturdays from 1-3 PM) or the Pink School House (open the first Saturday of each month from 1-3 PM), make plans to stop by and experience a piece of Mason's history firsthand. Better yet, consider making a donation or becoming involved as a volunteer to help ensure this important work continues for the next 50 years.

Congratulations again to Charles Herrick, the Board of Directors, and all of the dedicated volunteers on this well-deserved recognition. Here's to another 50 years of preserving the stories that make Mason and the Greater Lansing region so special!

Renew your CTA before it’s too late! Visit our website, CTA Renewal Help, to help with your renewal process. Find information on renewing, step-by-step instructions, and attractions and points. As a reminder, all you need is 50 points!

Contact Melissa Nay for login resets and questions not answered on the help website:

Melissa Nay | mnay@lansing,org | 517-377-1410

Find helpful tips on parking, tailgating, stadium rules, and more. Visit our tips for Attending a Michigan State Football Game.

• 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.