Meetings and Events City Profiles

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Population: About 200,000

Nearest airport: Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA)

Conventions centers/Large event spaces:
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Overview and highlights:

The state's second biggest city is proud of its conservative work ethic, its commitment to cleanliness and safety, its retail and manufacturing giants and cherishes the legacy of President Gerald R. Ford. A culture of business-driven philanthropy has also led to millions of dollars worth of construction and innovative investment in the downtown area, as well as thriving arts community.
(Photo: Grand Rapids Art Museum.)

Grand Rapids was recently declared the greenest city in America by Fast Company because it has the most LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

>> Known for its 250,000 square feet of flexible event space, DeVos Place architects were inspired by the Grand River, whose beautiful vistas beckon from almost every window. The water is so close that meeting-goers can pack their fishing gear and sneak out for a few break-time casts during conferences. DeVos is connected to main hotels downtown, as well as Van Andel Arena, through a series of heated walkways.
616.742.6500

>> Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the Midwest's best collection of three-dimensional art, much of it displayed throughout 125 acres of gorgeous gardens, also featuring intimate meeting rooms overlooking the gardens that can accommodate small groups of up to 30 people. They also can host larger groups-up to 1,000 attendees-in the main hall, and the restaurant can seat up to 150.
616.957.1580

>> Newsweek called the Grand Rapids Art Museum one of the world's six best new buildings of 2007. It is the world's first LEED Gold certified art museum and can accommodate up to 900 people. For a winter event, its café offers the best seats in the house to watch ice skaters across the courtyard at the Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink.
616.831.1000

>> Luxurious and hip, the JW Marriott Grand Rapids 23-floor hotel offers 340 guest rooms, each appointed with plush linens and 37-inch plasma television sets. Equally well-appointed is its 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 1,000-seat ballroom.
616.242.1500

>> Of the seven golf courses in the Grand Rapids area, Thousand Oaks Golf Club has been ranked number one four years running by Grand Rapids magazine. Situated on 420 acres a short drive from downtown, the northern Michigan-style course offers Grand Oaks, a 10,000-square-foot banquet facility expansion, for events.
616.447.7750

For more information:

Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau // 800.678.9859

This article has been re-edited for the Web. Article originally by Jeanette Hurt.