Surprise Party

Talk to professionals planning meetings and events in Detroit, selling Detroit as a meeting and event destination or just plain passionate about the city and you'll hear a common denominator in their comments:

Downtown Detroit surprises people.

That shouldn't come as a shock, given the slow-motion train wreck of politics, auto industry meltdown, social and economic struggles that has dominated the media. The city's plight has even garnered business from CSR-minded and image-conscious planners (aka the "Katrina effect" and the "No one will mistake Detroit for Vegas" effect).

But the truth is, bring your next meeting or event to downtown Detroit and you'll find more of a surprise party than a pity party. "Perceptions (of Detroit) are outdated and unrealistic," says Renee Monforton, director of communications for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB). "When [visitors] get here, they're surprised."

Right Time, Right Place, Right Price
Thanks to some stunning new builds (MGM Grand, Greektown Casino's new hotel), significant restoration projects (Westin Book Cadillac, Doubletree Fort Shelby) and notable makeovers (MotorCity Casino) joining stalwarts like the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, "Our convention product has never been in better shape," says Carla Conne - Penzabene, director of sales for the DMCVB (I know what you're thinking; we'll get to Cobo).

The combination of a recession and an influx of hotel rooms is a less-than-ideal scenario-unless you're a meeting planner. Then it equals a downtown with some of the best values in the country for treating attendees to first-class amenities at affordable prices. "The rooms at the MGM Grand are the nicest rooms in the company's whole portfolio, better than the Bellagio," notes Conner-Penzabene. "MGM Mirage set a new standard, right here in Detroit."

That Was Then, This is Now
The missing piece to Detroit's convention product of course has been a bigger and better Cobo Center, long the poster child for regional dysfunction. "There are a lot of exciting things happening in Detroit," says F. Masha Olaniran, MBA, marketing executive and founder of Creative Detroit Marketing, an event planning and marketing company in downtown Detroit. "We are in a new era of collaboration."

The result? As of press time, the new Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority had already invested about $3 million in Cobo upgrades for this year's auto show, including about $400,000 in roof repairs. With approximately $280 million to spend, the authority was seeking bids to design a comprehensive expansion of the center, and studying the costs of more repairs and improvements to make Cobo more efficient and user-friendly, such as upgraded lighting and fire suppression system.

Dinner and a Show
First-class hotels are nice and a renovated Cobo willmake a lot of people happy. But "At the end of a dayattending a conference, who wants to be left sittingin their room?" wonders Jeanette Pierce of InsideDetroit. "Clients say our tours are attendees' favoritepart of a conference."

Pierce, a walking encyclopedia of Detroit history,loves to promote the fact that there are some 13,000theater seats within a two block radius of downtownDetroit-making it the second largest theater districtin the U.S.-and many of those seats are in jawdroppinglyunique and beautiful venues available foryour meeting or event. There are also more than 100bars and restaurants within one square mile of downtown,including Pierce's favorite. "Cliff Bell's housesDetroit's assets all in one place," she says. "Gorgeousarchitecture, music history and entrepreneurship."

Meeting and a Game (or Gallery)
For the corporate groups that make up 40 percent of her clientele, Olaniran taps regularly into Detroit'ssports and cultural venues. "Tigers games at ComericaPark are a big draw," says Olaniran, as are staff-ledtours of the Detroit Historical Museum, architecturaltours (Olaniran is a fan of the Fisher Building) andenjoying Friday Night Live! activities and performancesat the Detroit Institute of Arts. "Often, corporategroups aren't sure what they're going to see"when they come to Detroit, says Olaniran. "It's a nicesurprise for them when they get here and say ‘Wow,I didn't realize Detroit had this.'"

Venue Spotlight: The Federal Reserve
"You would not believe how many people come here for an event and say ‘I never knew you were here,'"says Vickie Stamps, sales manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit branch, at Warren Avenue andI-75. Maybe it's because the building is surrounded by three 1800-era churches; maybe it's because post 9/11 securitymake it "The safest, most secure spot in the state to hold a meeting," says Stamps.

Either way, the secret is out now. The Federal Reserve has 12,000 square feet of flexible and appropriately decorous meeting and event spacefeaturing lots of natural light. Although their website says the facilities are available to non-profits, education andcommunity involvement, Stamps notes that "We can work with most groups" so don't hesitate to call.

Whether ornot you meet there, tours of the facility are available to groups. See money being shredded, counted and packaged.Tours run from a quick 15 minutes to two hours.

Venue Spotlight: Detroit Riverfront
One of the most important projects in downtown Detroit is the slow but sure restoration of a longunder-used and neglected jewel: the riverfront. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is now three miles of RiverWalkinto its five and a half-mile vision of eventually connecting the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just eastof the MacArthur (Belle Isle) Bridge. This past fall the Conservancy celebrated the dedication of Michigan's first urbanstate park: the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. To really appreciate what they've accomplished, visit theirwebsite and click on the map link.

As accessible riverfront has opened, options for on-the-water venues have alsoincreased. These include the Detroit Princess Riverboat and Diamond Jack's River Tours; the Infinity and Ovationyachts dock downtown as well. Or, for some of the best land-based waterfront views, plan your meeting at theRenaissance Conference Center. Located inside Tower 300 of the Renaissance Center, the 20,000-square-footfacility is another one of those Detroit secrets that will surprise you and your attendees.

Venue Spotlight: The Fillmore Detroit
The Man in Black himself (Johnny Cash)once graced the velvet-curtained stage. Organist Lew Betterly accompanied silent movies shown ona giant screen under the golden arched proscenium.John Wayne swaggered up Woodward Avenueto hype the premier of "Hatari!"

If the walls of the former State Theatre, now known as the Fillmore Detroit, could talk, those are just a few of the stories this circa-1925 Italian Renaissance movie palace could tell. Now it's waiting to tell yours. With state of the art in-house sound and lighting systems, hardwood dance floors, a deep stage with roll-up loading door, original chandeliers and architecture, this elegant and historical theater is primed for business launch parties, unique private rentals and corporate events that are guaranteed to leave a mark on the memory.

"We held two very successful events at the Fillmore last year," says Bob Guerrini, executive director of the Adcraft Club of Detroit. "The Fillmore's spectacular atmosphere makes it a wonderful venue for combining networking and a stage presentation in an inviting setting. We will certainly be back." -by Jennifer Berkemeier, special events director, The Fillmore Detroit

Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes >> It started in 2008 with a mobile stand less than 50 square feet. Owner Torya Blanchard's crêperie has been such a hit-Detroit was founded by the French, remember?-that today you can get her hearty sweet and savory crepes averaging $5-$7 each at three locations, including the Park Shelton sit-down at 15 E. Kirby and Woodward. Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes specializes in hosting groups/parties at the shop for up to 40 and on-site catering. Call 877.PARIS.CREPES or visit www.goodgirlsgotopariscrepes.com.

Get Connected:

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau // 313.202.1800 / www.visitdetroit.com