Beep Beep!

Growing up in the middle of two boys, I found my play time to be equally distributed between dolls and cars. When we would play with toy cars, there was often a bus route involved that the little metal cars had to follow. What I didn’t know then was that I would be doing the same thing when I was a “grown up”.
During RCMA, we had shuttles taking attendees to and from the airport, to three different locations for a 3 hour event, to companies spread throughout GR, and to some of our biggest attractions.



Here’s what helped make this process work:

• Clear communication with the drivers. We told them about the group, why it was important to us, and what they were doing at the places they were going.
  
• A greeter. We had volunteers on each bus who acted as a host, answering any questions that the attendees might have and assisting when neededed
  
• The right amount of busses. Just because you can afford more busses, it doesn’t mean the process will necessarily go faster. Set the transportation schedule to rotate so that the shuttles are not overlapping each other and holding everything up


• Going the wrong way. Work with the city if you feel that a shuttle bus would be better off making a turn in a no left turn lane or parking in a metered zone. They can be flexible and make things easier!


• Communicate the shuttle schedule to riders effectively. They will thank you!

A mile a minute

Have you ever noticed that most people describe distances in time? I am an hour away, the mall is in about 15 minutes, I have 40 minutes until I am done running this mile.

In that spirit, I can proudly say that I live 25 minutes away from the beaches of West Michigan. They have won awards for the beauty, fun, and activities they provide visitors, but I want to recognize them for something greater – tradition.

Every year we walk to the end of the pier in Grand Haven, sit next to the picturesque light house, and watch the sun set. What I learned this year is that I am not the only one with this yearly task. Between weddings on the beach, campers taking their family vacations along the beachside campsites, and summertime festivals, there is much to see and do along Michigan’s West Coast. Unique shops, unforgettable dining experiences, and an upbeat atmosphere have drawn many visitors and convention goers to daytime excursions along the lakeshore year after year.

Why not show your group the Urban Beat of GR and the Lakeside Retreat of Michigan’s West Coast? It’s only 30 minutes away – and miles of memories to follow.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game... For A Meeting?

I like to think out of the box for meetings – and by box, I mean a normal meeting space. I am a true product of my surroundings, and the more creative the space I am in, the more excited I get about the topic! Here’s the newest location I have seen for a meeting: The Fifth Third Ballpark. Fans flock there for a great baseball game or festival, but did you know that they have a great space for holding meetings? Break out sessions can be in the suites and Expo tables and/or large group sessions in the Pepsi Stadium Club (they all look out over the field). Have a key note speaker? How about a podium on home plate! Just don’t forget to let your attendees get that 7th inning (or session) stretch!

Nature vs. Nurture

I’m a girl whose garden consists of a large pot with some pansies on my balcony. When I visit anything with natural features, I’m in love! This week, I had a meeting at the Prince Conference Center, located on the Calvin College campus in GR.

Set in the midst of a nature trail system with beautiful flowers and trees, it certainly beats the idea of meeting in room with four walls and some tables! Large windows look out to great views wake you up from the caffeine comatose that you can find yourself in after a long day of meetings (or is that just me?). Guests receive the nurture of great catering and the comforting design – including two fireplaces!

Did I mention that there are 69 hotel rooms attached to this space? Who needs a big garden when I can just visit the Prince Conference Center? Now that’s low maintenance!

So Much For That New Car Smell...

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!

R-O-Y-G-B-I-V

I had a very fun event last week – and after looking back on it, I realized it was pretty colorful too.

We started with the good ole’ Red, White and Blue – also known as the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. There, our group got a tour of the new exhibit, Extraordinary Circumstances, which displays photographs of the Ford Presidency by the official Whitehouse Photographer, David Kennerly. Here’s the catch – David Kennerly came in to give the tour personally!

Then we boarded a restored GR Trolley to take us to our next location. Since restoration is seen as Environmentally Friendly, I am giving this activity the color Green.

Our group then walked up the steps and into a taste of Spain at San Chez Tapas Bistro – where the Orange, Indigo, and Violet hues warmed our conversations while the aroma whetted our appetites. We enjoyed a delicious display of dishes while a local Jazz Trio helped set the tone. One of my favorite desserts served was the rich, Yellow, Crème Brule!

What better way to welcome summer than with a splash of color?

How's The Weather Up There?

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.