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One thing I love about the Midwest is that we get to experience every season in full force. With that, optimism becomes a key part of any Mid-Westerners life – and GR is no exception. With the change in weather, you always want to look back and appreciate what is leaving (“But I just got comfortable!”). So, we find things to look forward to! Yes, my flip flops have been stored away, but walking past Rosa Parks Circle today, I realized the ice skates can come out for our city-center outdoor skating rink. The days may get dark faster, but that is great for GR, because the lights are up on the trees that line the streets for a beautiful scene. My favorite moment in the transition of fall to winter is the first snow. It’s a beautiful sight falling from the air, and then it disappears the moment it hits our heated sidewalks – a perfect combination for this outdoors-challenged girl. In GR, it seems like every season “Tis The Season” to look forward to something new!Photo by: Balthazar Korab
On a sunny day here in GR, I am reminded of my first real “services” experience at the CVB. Last summer we had a large convention that provides youth activities for younger attendees. Tim Nelson, our Services Manager, noticed some changes in their program when they arrived and thought others in the community may have been in the dark on the new plans.
We discovered that the John Ball Park Zoo was not aware that 200 kids were coming to their facility - all with plans for buying lunch at their concession stands and meeting in a pavilion that was already reserved for another group! In about two days, with the help of the Zoo staff, a new pavilion was reserved and tickets were purchased and distributed ahead of time for a fast admission.
We had 400 hotdogs, two hundred bags of chips, and four giant lemonade dispensers ready for the kids to dive right in. Of course, the picnic feast was transported to the pavilion in my brand new car - I was craving hot dogs all week!
Tall people often get asked, “How’s the weather up there?” The only way I will ever get asked that question is if I find myself on a top floor of a high rise – 
which is exactly how I started my day today. We had our Annual Celebration this morning at the University Club, another unique spot to hold an event in the city. It is a beautiful space with chandeliers, elegant furniture and sweeping views of the city, including La Grande Vitesse, Alexander Calder’s landmark sculpture. We talked about the CVB’s recent successes and future goals with a video while some of our Hometown Heroes shared their involvement with bringing conventions to Grand Rapids. Overall, we enjoyed delicious food, great company, and of course, a fabulous view. And the weather wasn’t too bad either.
One thing I love about the Midwest is that we get to experience every season in full force. With that, optimism becomes a key part of any Mid-Westerners life – and GR is no exception. With the change in weather, you always want to look back and appreciate what is leaving (“But I just got comfortable!”). So, we find things to look forward to! Yes, my flip flops have been stored away, but walking past Rosa Parks Circle today, I realized the ice skates can come out for our city-center outdoor skating rink. The days may get dark faster, but that is great for GR, because the lights are up on the trees that line the streets for a beautiful scene. My favorite moment in the transition of fall to winter is the first snow. It’s a beautiful sight falling from the air, and then it disappears the moment it hits our heated sidewalks – a perfect combination for this outdoors-challenged girl. In GR, it seems like every season “Tis The Season” to look forward to something new!
