News Hospitality Meetings & Conventions: Cool New Meeting Places
Meetings & Conventions: Cool New Meeting Places
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The Stream
1 State Road
Newaygo, MI 49337
www.newaygostream.com
(231) 452-6401
The Stream in Newaygo offers companies the ability to pair a small meeting or retreat with some world-class recreational activities in the adjacent forests or on the Muskegon River. The largest meeting room at The Stream can accommodate 40 to 45 people. That space, as well as smaller spaces, features full technology capabilities, as well as the latest office furniture from Haworth. On-site administrative services can also assist in running meetings and making other arrangements for food. Typically, costs range from $20 to $40 per hour, capped at $120 for the day. “We’re only 45 minutes to an hour outside of Grand Rapids – less from Muskegon – but you can feel like you’re a million miles away, and you still have a high-tech environment,” said Laurie Supinski, manager of The Stream with the Newaygo County Economic Development Office.
Fricano’s
1050 W. Western Ste. 200
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.fricanospizza.com
(231) 722-7775
Believed to be the first pizzeria in Michigan, Fricano’s never disappoints with its mouth-watering famous pizzas and family-friendly service. Since 1949, it has been making pizza and following in the footsteps of late Gus Fricano, who was believed to have created the original thin-crust pizza pie. His son Ted is carrying along the pizza pie tradition at the Fricano’s Muskegon Lake location. In downtown Muskegon, the restaurant has breathtaking views of Muskegon Lake and a full bar. The pizzeria can also accommodate private parties with an elegant setting and an open floor plan that seats up to 250 people. Typically, the room costs $2,000 on Friday and Saturday, and $1,500 on Sunday through Thursday. The staff there said the pizzeria can be the perfect place for a family gathering, work party or wedding reception.
Watermark 920
930 Washington Ave,
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.watermarkcenter.com
(231) 727-0805
Watermark 920 is one of Muskegon’s newest venues for events encouraging companies and parties to try something new with one of the most innovative spaces along the Lakeshore. This space was the second phase of the Watermark development project on Washington Ave. The customizable venue can accommodate 10 to 350 people with the option of preferred catering for their guests. The space is tech-savvy with wireless Internet, iPod docks and a state-of-the-art sound system. Along with the technology resources, the space is designed to feature the edgy, sophisticated side of Muskegon, including a spacious patio for outdoor events. An on-site event coordinator will help develop a plan for every wedding, holiday gala and conference, making sure to deliver the perfect event. With its chic, up-to-date venue, Watermark 920’s staff guarantees guests leave feeling inspired.
Midtown Center
96 West 15th St.
Holland, MI 49423
www.jubileeministriesinc.com
(616) 392-8191
The Midtown center offers space for those who are looking to plan a special reception. Located in Holland, the center is capable of transforming its study hall into a lavish reception space for an affordable price. The hall can accommodate guests with custom set-ups that seat up to 360 people. Offering complete setup of the hall before hand with an event-coordinator on site. For all-day rentals, the 6,000-square-foot room costs $400 on Friday and $1,300 on Saturday. For additional amenities such as audio and visual equipment and access to the third floor balcony, extra cost will apply. The center also has an approved list of caterers from the surrounding area that will bring the taste of Michigan to the party.
Goei Center
818 Butterworth St. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
www.thegoeicenter.com
(616) 949-2421
When the Goei Center opened two years ago, it transformed a long-forgotten former furniture factory – a nod to Grand Rapids’ past – into a vibrant, new location for entrepreneurs – the city’s future. The center, which is part business incubator and part event facility, offers meeting space for groups ranging from 20 to 400 people. Complete with wood floors and ceilings, this “loft-style venue with urban elegance” is within walking distance from downtown Grand Rapids and the downtown Grand Valley State University campus. Prices range up to $1,250 per event. “What sets us apart is the type of facility you are going to be in,” said Kiersten Schulte, director of marketing for Eastern Floral, which is housed at the center. “It’s not your typical hotel conference room with blank walls and carpets. It’s more of an open concept here, and there is more space that you can utilize. It’s one of Grand Rapids’ most unique event facilities.”
Yacht Basin Conference Center
1866 Ottawa Beach Road
Park Twp, MI 49424
www.yachtbasinmarina.com
(616) 786-2205
The Yacht Basin Conference Center could be the perfect location for a next big ceremony, reception or party. Located next to Lake Macatawa near Holland, the venue offers each event to be customized to the planner’s liking — from the catering down to the entertainer. Two rooms can accommodate up to 300 people. The North American room costs $500 with seating up to 100 people, and the South American room runs $1,000 with seating up to 200 people. Along with the beautiful rooms, Yacht Basin allows guests to access the balcony overlooking the marina on the lake. With options galore at your hand, Yacht Basin said it will be there to help plan for an unforgettable event.
Shoreline Inn Conference Center
750 Terrace Point Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49440
www.shorelineconferencecenter.com
(866) 727-8483
The former Rafferty’s Restaurant on Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon was completely redone and reapportioned into a smaller restaurant and a 4,000-square-foot meeting space. The facility, designed by Lauren James Studio, can comfortably handle meetings from 50 to 350 people and comes equipped with a full range of audio/visual technology – not to mention a view of the Muskegon Lake waterfront. The flexible meeting space can be split into four different sections for concurrent meetings. Rental costs for business meetings or conferences, not including food and beverage, range from $500 to $1000. “There is a demand for people to come to Muskegon. With such a unique location it was well worth the investment,” said Shoreline Inn & Conference Center General Manager Doug Pollock.
