Lansing

At just 16, Jack Schripsema had already set a long-standing hospitality career in motion with his first job washing dishes at the local Holiday Inn.

Lansing isn't just the capital of Michigan, but it’s also the central hub for the entire state—literally; it’s located within 90 minutes of 90 percent of the state’s population, making it both eventful and accessible for groups located throughout the state.

Sponsored by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau

Courtyard by Marriott // Downtown Development

The Greater Lansing Conention and Visitors Bureau has announced the 2017 Greater Lansing Team Lansing Foundation Board of Directors:

Due to the growth in tourism and group bookings in the Lansing area, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority have partnered to assign the Lansing Center's future sales responsibilities to the GLCVB.

The MACVB has appointed its new officers for the 2017 calendar. The newly elected officers are:

• President: Jack Schripsema (Lansing)
• Past President: Linda Freybler (Calhoun County)
• Vice President: Linda Hoath (Sault Ste. Marie)
• Secretary: Chris Rowley (Mount Pleasant)
• Treasurer: Bob Lukens (Muskegon)
• Members at Large: Tim Hygh (Mackinac Island)
• Amanda Wilkin (Charlevoix)

MACVB is made up of the 46 member convention and visitor bureaus all throughout Michigan.

The more I travel—and the longer I edit this magazine—the more I appreciate convention and visitors bureaus. They are staffed with people who know their area inside and out, and are passionately committed to supporting and promoting it. In Michigan, in particular, we've needed voices telling our story to a country that often had it wrong. Our CVBs have done as much as anyone to do so and to turn our state’s fortunes around and attract the enthusiasm and investment that we need.

Sport stadiums, those cavernous homes to professional teams and hot dogs, popcorn and beer, can also make outstanding meeting and event spaces. 

Stadiums often offer state-of-the-art amenities designed to impress clients and foster camaraderie. Especially in Michigan, where sports fandom runs rampant, just knowing a meeting or event is slated for a stadium can boost enthusiasm and attendance.

Here are five stadiums eager to host your next meeting or event. 

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