The Midwest Is Full of Surprises, New Offerings for Meeting Groups

The economy's growing strength has benefitted planners in many ways, but it has also meant that costs at major destinations are rebounding as well.

"Now that the market has stabilized, first-tier cities are putting the brakes on low rates and concessions and we've shifted back to a seller's market," says Tifani Jones, director of sales for Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau. But she adds that this makes it a more desirable time to consider the many other destinations, which offer robust meetings facilities, even if they aren't at the level of Las Vegas, Orlando, or Chicago. "Second- and third-tier cities are not only affordable, but because of the demand, they are filling quickly and further out."

From Des Moines to Mackinac Island, the Midwest offers a huge variety of these hidden and not-so-hidden gems that make for a fun and budget-friendly meetings option. With new properties and renovations happening throughout the region, it's a better time than ever to host meetings in the Midwest.

A great example of this is Wisconsin Dells, WI itself. Marriott is in the midst of building a 95-room Marriott Spring Hill Suites, due to open in spring 2015. Chula Vista Resort is constructing a new golf clubhouse with meeting and event space available for groups. Additionally, the city's Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center recently added the Double Cut Charcoal Grill/Liquor Bar, a contemporary steakhouse offering a board room that seats 24 and a large party room for 72 attendees.

"Wisconsin Dells is certainly experiencing the 'bleisure' or 'bizcation' boom, where meeting attendees extend their trip and either precede or proceed the convention with some solo relaxation or family time," says Jones. "These mini-vacations are a great way to maximize budget and time, so group planners can be confident that attendees will be excited about meeting in the Dells."

She points to a December 2014 convention of 960 attendees from the food-processing industry in which one night was dedicated to vendors entertaining clients at the fine-dining establishments in the city. Of course, time was also set aside for visitors to take advantage of the fact they were in the "Waterpark Capital of the World."

Speaking of Wisconsin hotels, the Marcus brand of properties has been fast expanding. The brand added the Green Lake, WI property Heidel House to its portfolio -- it offers 18,000 square feet of event space and 170 guestrooms. The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI has started a renovation of its 13,000-square-foot Forum Ballroom, while the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI wrapped up a complete renovation of its tower guestrooms.

Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH is enjoying a burst of new developments. Last August, the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel opened -- completing the $33 million redevelopment of the historic Bartlett Building. In addition to more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space and its four-block distance from the Duke Energy Convention Center, this property also holds the popular D. Burnham's Restaurant.

"The transformation of Cincinnati's downtown core over the last five years has been nothing short of tremendous," says Barrie Perks, vice president of sales and services for Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With nearly a dozen new and renovated hotels combined, state-of-the-art meeting venues, and award-winning dining located in three new entertainment districts, the nation is taking notice of Cincinnati."

This spring will see the opening of the 144-room Hampton Inn & Suites, taking up four floors of the historic former Cincinnati Enquirer Building. The remaining five floors house the 105-unit Homewood Suites, which opens in the spring of 2015. The $29 million renovation has maintained the 1926 building's original elevators, ornate ceilings, and etched glass doors.

Another distinctive property in the city is the 160-room 21c Museum Hotel, which combines art museum and chic hotel to provide a seriously eye-catching space. The 21c offers 8,000 square feet of event space, housing a wealth of contemporary art. Attendees can take part in guided museum tours or group scavenger hunts to fully take advantage of the venue.

The Westin Cincinnati, with 456 rooms and 29,000 square feet of meeting space, is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, with stronger high-speed Internet and more Wi-Fi access points. The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza wrapped up its own $10 million renovation at the end of 2013. The 561-room hotel, with 40,000 square feet of meeting space, added new furniture, safes, and window treatments throughout the property.

"The city remains visitor-friendly, with many options such as bike shares and easy walks between venues," adds Perks. "Top-tier amenities without the hassles, that's what defines Cincinnati."

Indianapolis
Indianapolis had a record-breaking 2014, booking more than 880,000 hotel room nights -- blowing away Visit Indy's goal of 750,000 for the year. But the destination is not sitting on its laurels, and this year will be one of major developments. Last December, the city saw the opening of the Le Méridien Indianapolis. The 100-room property showcases plenty of history as it's built in the former Canterbury Hotel. But among its chic offerings are the new restaurant Spoke & Steele, which provides bespoke spirits and barrel-aged cocktails, along with a menu of locally source charcuterie and cheeses. The property is connected, via climate-controlled skywalk, to Circle Centre Mall and the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, offering almost 750,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Coming up in October 2015, downtown's Embassy Suites Indianapolis will begin a major renovation, totally overhauling all standard guest suites and penthouse suites, meeting spaces, and public areas. The front desk will be swapped out for more inviting freestanding pods while the meeting rooms will be enhanced with new artwork and air walls.

The summer will see the opening of a pair of new attractions that should be of particular interest to visiting groups. The three-story Biltwell Event Center will provide more than 100,000 square feet of space a short distance from Lucas Oil Stadium for banquets with skyline views. Formerly a manufacturing warehouse, this space will be fully equipped with the latest meeting-space features and include an expansive, 400-seat patio.

Also on the horizon is the Tinker Flats Food and Beverage Hub, a century-old warehouse that is being converted into a business incubator and event space. Among the small culinary businesses selling their wares will be craft distillers, artisan creameries, chocolatiers, and more.

Michigan
Detroit continues to make a comeback in its meetings offerings (see our December feature on "Cities to Watch" at bit.ly/CitiesWatch for more on the city's rebound). In December, MGM Grand Detroit opened its new 315-seat Axis Lounge, which offers visitors nightly performances by local musicians. This new venue further diversifies the property's offerings, and 30,000 square feet of event space, including the 14,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, three 1,600-square-foot meeting rooms, and two 710-square-foot executive boardrooms.

But there is much more happening for meetings in Michigan beyond Motor City. For instance, Mackinac Island, set in Lake Huron, offers an unconventional outing for visitors to Michigan seeking incredible views, outdoor activities, and a place far away from the usual urban bustle (cars are not allowed on the island).

One standout meetings property on Mackinac is Mission Point Resort, offering 239 rooms and more than 38,000 square feet of function space, including the 20,000-square-foot conference center. The property just introduced Sun-Up Sessions for groups, which give attendees the option to start the day by watching the sun rise over Lake Huron, with a light hike and locally sourced breakfast of whitefish benedicts and house-made croissants.

For a much more high-energy Michigan experience head to the other side of the state, in Grand Rapids, MI where the Amway Grand Plaza recently celebrated its 100-year birthday with a $14 million renovation. The upgrade has given the property a cutting-edge feel while paying tribute to the past. Its Classic Rooms and Suites have been redesigned in a dark and contemporary style, while Concierge Rooms and Suites were given a caramel-and-beige treatment.

But its meeting spaces are the real draw, with four ballrooms and 42 meeting rooms and conference areas, totaling 47,000 square feet of space for visiting groups holding events and meetings.

An hour southwest of Grand Rapids, in the town of Battle Creek, the FireKeepers Casino Hotel celebrated its five-year anniversary last July with a remodel of the Kabaret Lounge. The property's conference center was opened in December 2012, and its nine meeting rooms total more than 20,000 square feet -- the largest event room measuring 17,500 square feet.

Visiting groups can take advantage of the property's dedicated support staff and on-site banquet kitchen and catering service -- and, of course, its wealth of gaming options.

Minneapolis
The Minneapolis Convention Center recently opened a brand-new visitor information center and welcome desk at the main entrance of the facility. A high-tech video board wraps around the building and a Minnesota Craft Bar and Lounge will open at the start of this month, providing new breakout spaces in which groups can meet.

The convention center also put in all-new escalators and gave the structure a new paint job "so it's fresh and ready for meetings to check out all the new items," explains Kristen Montag, marketing communications manager for Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association.

While the city is well known for its below-zero temperatures in the winter, it is also a time to take advantage of generous discount hotel rates and winter activities. Minneapolis is also a perennial hot spot for major sporting events, playing host to the 2018 Super Bowl as well as the 2019 NCAA Men's Final Four (last year it was the site of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game).

"Our hotels accommodate any need; our transportation and other infrastructure is accessible, easy to use, and growing with our new Green Line METRO light-rail train that connects Minneapolis to St. Paul and the established Blue Line that runs from Minneapolis to the Mall of America and MSP Airport," says Montag.

As an example, Montag points to last August, when Minneapolis played host to more than 2,000 meeting professionals and vendors as part of the Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress. The CVB "showed them a great time," she says.

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This article appears in the February 2015 issue of Successful Meetings.