Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1537157
WOLVERINE STATE CONTINUES TO RANK HIGH WITH MEETING PLANNERS B Y T A R I Q R H O D E S Michigan is more than the Mitten. It is a double-peninsula powerhouse where automotive heritage, freshwater reach, and bold, ongoing urban redefinition intersect with technique and delivery. From Detroit's resolute rise to Grand Rapids' art-forward development and Lansing's policy-shaping corridors, the state offers more than meeting space. It offers structure and substance. For plan- ners seeking venues that deliver both logistical strength and legacy-rich sur- roundings, Michigan presents unm- atched range. From conference stages to heritage sites, the state invites leaders to create moments that matter across land shaped by labor, culture, brilliance, and a spirit that never settles for ordinary. • • DETROIT• • Detroit is no longer waiting for a comeback. It has restructured, retooled, and repositioned itself as a premier desti- nation for conventions, business meet- ings, and events. The city's Huntington Place convention center, formerly Cobo Center, delivers more than 723,000 square feet of exhibit space with views of the Detroit River and Windsor, Canada. The downtown waterfront location is near 4,000 hotel rooms, including the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and the chic Shinola Hotel, both offering event space and cultural rele- vance. Meeting planners benefit from Detroit's accessibility. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport ranks among the top in the country for efficiency and serv- ice. As a Delta hub, DTW connects the city to every major market in the U.S. and abroad. Guests move easily through downtown using the QLINE streetcar, People Mover transit, or hotel shuttles. Parking garages and valet services are available for hybrid events and large-scale meetings. The Downtown Detroit Partnership has invested in pedestrian safety and wayfinding signage, helping attendees navigate between sessions and hotels. What elevates Detroit beyond logistics is its infrastructure laminated in identity. From The Garden Theater's polished industrial aesthetic to the modern gal- leries and rental spaces at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit offers space with historical weight. The Detroit Institute of Arts hosts receptions, while TechTown and the College for Creative Studies offer options for design-focused meetings. The Motown Museum, mid-renovation into a world-class campus, provides a decadent setting for offsite gatherings and memo- rable welcome receptions. For intimate executive roundtables, envisage the Detroit Foundation Hotel's private event studios with local artwork, or the rooftop venue at The Monarch Club, overlooking the city's revival in real time. Detroit's hospitality network is expand- ing. The Cambria Hotel, Element Detroit at the Metropolitan, and Fort Pontchartrain offer modern amenities and walkable proximity to cultural landmarks. Boutique properties such as The Siren Hotel have added avant-garde accom- modations that appeal to creative profes- sionals and planners seeking something beyond standard business lodging. The city has introduced enhanced safety corri- dors and community ambassador pro- grams to welcome attendees with profes- sionalism and pride. After hours, the city remains rich with rooted options. Greektown erupts with jazz lounges, elevated soul food, and Black-owned cocktail bars. In North End and Corktown, art lounges and pop-up culinary labs redefine nightlife, with vegan soul kitchens and natural wine shops doubling as cultural salons. Belle Isle Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers skyline views, historic 44 B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES M I C H I G A N • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center 1,398 The Westin Southfield Detroit 388 Hyatt Place Detroit Novi at the SCS 124 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Huntington Place Total Meeting Space 723,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 100,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 108 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Detroit – (313) 202-1800 www.visitdetroit.com/meet-detroit.com Huntington Place Convention Center photo credit: Huntington Place C.C. ••••••••••••••