TCBN: Meeting & Event Spaces Primed for Big 2025
Each year, the Traverse City Business News (The Ticker’s sister publication) checks in with the region’s prominent meeting and event venues to see what’s new and exciting for the year ahead.
Below is an excerpt of that story. The March issue is filled with additional engaging content, including a deep dive into marketing trends, the impending tip credit phase-out, Michigan’s auto insurance policies and much more.
Click here to see where you can find the TCBN on newsstands, and click here to subscribe!
The Grand Traverse Resort (Acme)
Thoughts from: Katie Leonard, Director of Sales
What opportunities or challenges do you expect in the meetings/event space world in 2025?
As with many industries, the meetings and events space world continues to face supply chain challenges, particularly affecting property maintenance and repairs. In a good way, availability for large groups is another concern, as we have contracts extending through 2031 – so the demand is there and we are booking far out. Despite these challenges, we see opportunities in curating unique experiences by introducing new packages and ticketed events tailored to our group guests. Adapting to the evolving needs of large-scale gatherings will remain a priority.
What's new or exciting in terms of your facilities, services or amenities this year?
In August 2024, we began an exciting partnership with the Detroit Lions and unveiled the new Touchdown Suite in November. This has been exciting for all guests, including group business. Additionally, we have enhanced our marketplace with an improved guest experience and expanded offerings – a very popular spot in the morning for guests and throughout the day for a pick-me-up. Significant updates also include a refreshed outdoor Pavilion venue with new landscaping and a tent cover, as well as upgrades at Spa Grand Traverse, such as a brand-new plunge pool. These enhancements aim to provide elevated experiences for all guests.
Please name a few interesting groups you have booked for this year, along with the largest in terms of attendees.
This year, we are hosting several large company employee appreciation events, with many bringing 500-700 attendees. We’ve also seen an increase in national programs, driven by the expansion of our airport and additional direct flights. Notably, we have events drawing up to 2,000 attendees.
Great Wolf Lodge (Traverse City)
Thoughts from: Tori Piersante, Director of Sales and Catering
What opportunities or challenges do you expect in the meetings/event space world in 2025?
Our beautiful meeting space combines with a waterpark to allow us a truly unique option to enhance the experience of our guests. Many hospitality experts cite enhancing the guest experience as their priority for the coming year. We continue to be challenged to elevate the experience for our planners and their guests, offering new technologies like remote check-in and mobile ordering in our outlets, keeping convenience and efficiency in mind. Anticipating evolving expectations continues to be our goal, and we love the challenge.
What's new or exciting in terms of your facilities, services or amenities this year?
We continue to offer day waterpark passes, which is a great way for our community to enjoy our waterpark. We also offer indoor Cabanas and premier seating for an enhanced waterpark experience. We are an excellent day and social meeting option for local organizations, who rave about our food, quality of meeting rooms and ease of working with our sales department
Please name a few interesting groups you have booked for this year, along with the largest in terms of attendees.
We are very honored to host some incredible groups! Some of the larger groups include: North American MG A Register 2025 GT 50 Car Club, Great Lakes Veterinary Conference, Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Michigan State Association of Letter Carriers and Impact 100. In addition to large groups, many host meetings to discuss topics of influence on various aspects of our society. We are all privileged to play a small role in providing a welcoming setting to these groups.
Hagerty Center (Traverse City)
Thoughts from: Chad Schenkelberger, NMC’s Director of Food Services
What opportunities or challenges do you expect in the meetings/event space world in 2025?
Staffing continues to remain the biggest issue facing the hospitality industry. While it has gotten better over the last few years due to wage increases, we still struggle with maintaining an adequate staffing level throughout the entire year.
What's new or exciting in terms of your facilities, services or amenities this year?
The Hagerty Center has recently completed a renovation of our courtyard. This includes the addition of lighting, a patio area for entertainment, resurfacing of the courtyard and new outdoor furniture. We are excited to offer a space that will allow our clients to fully enjoy the beautiful Northern Michigan Summers!
Please name a few interesting groups you have booked for this year, along with the largest in terms of attendees.
The Hagerty Center is looking forward to hosting several events that are tied to NMC academic programs. As a professional development center, we take pride in being the home for the Great Lakes Culinary School’s, Taste of Success and the Lakebed Conference held in partnership with the NMC Marine Center. Our largest event is the Cherry Festival’s, Great American Picnic, which happens to be one of longest standing community partnerships.
Click here to see where you can find the TCBN on newsstands, and click here to subscribe!