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Golf Courses by Famous Designers Ultimate Up North Goodie Bag Off-Site Ideas for Your Group Meetings IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR UP NORTH MEETING GREAT 2013 mynorth.com/meetingsnorth Discover how Northern Michigan can turn your meeting into an event! Inspiring Inspired Discover how Northern aces Inspiring Inspiring eas Inspired Inspired

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Page 1: MyNorth Meetings 2013

Golf Courses by Famous DesignersUltimate Up North Goodie BagOff-Site Ideas for Your Group

MeetingsIDEAS TO MAKE YOUR UP NORTH MEETING GREAT • 2013

mynorth.com/meetingsnorth

Discover how Northern Michigan can turn your meeting into an event!

Inspiring

InspiredPlaces,Places,

Discover how Northern

Places,Discover how Northern

Places,Places,InspiringPlaces,InspiringInspiringPlaces,InspiringPlaces,Places,Places,Places,Places,Places,Places,Places,Places,IdeasIdeasIdeasInspiredIdeasInspiredInspiredIdeasInspiredIdeasIdeas

Places,Ideas

Places,Places,Ideas

Places,Ideas

Places,Ideas

Places,IdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeas

Places,Ideas

Places,IdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeasIdeas

Page 2: MyNorth Meetings 2013
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Editor’s Note

Dream up a meeting that’s both memorable and sticks within a budget.

That balance is, of course, Job 1 of any meeting planner.

And fortunately for planners with Northern Michigan as a des-

tination, achieving that magical balance is remarkably doable.

Doable because Northern Michigan has such a diverse and

rich range of offerings in all the key areas that planners need.

For venues: from sprawling resorts with everything onsite to

intimate B&B’s for small groups. For golf, dozens of courses,

with several designed by internationally renowned course

architects that will long linger in the minds of your golf lovers

(p. 8). For team building activities or just a break from meet-

ing mindset, Northern Michigan delivers a remarkable choice

of off-site possibilities: rent bikes and hit a bike trail, canoe a gen-

tle river, pair an attraction with a vibrant harbor-town explora-

tion (p. 18). And of course there’s Northern Michigan’s acclaimed

wine country (a limo driver shares his tips for successful group

wine tours on p. 13). Of course, let’s not forget that tone-setting

starts with the goodie bag. We asked Traverse City meeting

planner Allison Beers to share some Northern Michigan picks

to pack that will, well, just plain make people happy (p. 17: dark-

chocolate-covered dried cherries, anyone?).

Enjoy your meeting Up North!

Jeff SmithEditor, Meetings [email protected]

Page 4: MyNorth Meetings 2013

Tr av e r s e C i t y C o n v e n t i o n & V i s i t o r s B u r e au101 W. Grandview Parkway • Traverse City, MI 49684 • (800) 940-1120 • Fax (231) 947-2621

True North

TraverseCity.com

Why just plan a meeting when you can plan to inspire?

four-season outdoor recreation | sugar-sand beaches | championship golf

art galleries | boutique shopping | wineries | microbreweries

resorts & spas | conference centers | meeting planner assistance

True Inspiration

TC CVB Meetings North full pg 2013.indd 1 1/7/13 9:27 AM

Page 5: MyNorth Meetings 2013

Table of Contents2013 • Volume 9, Number 1

3 Editor’s Note All the right pieces for creating a memorable, affordable meeting.

5 A Caterer’s FavsA top caterer in Traverse City shares her favorite off-the-radar meeting spots.

8 Big ShootersNorthern Michigan’s rolling, captivating terrain has drawn the skills of some of the world’s top course architects. Reward your crew with a world-class round.

13 Tips for Group Wine ToursTouring wine tasting rooms with a group is a rich experience, but to be successful, it takes a little planning. We found a limo driver willing to share advice.

17 Goodie Bag PicksFavorite picks for the perfect gift bag, from award-winning Northern Michigan meeting planner Allison Beers.

18 Off-Site Activities Idea BookActive, fun, affordable and doable for a wide range of people. We serve up winning ideas for your crew when they head off-site for team building or just kicking back.

20 Airport Map and Advertiser Index

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A MyNorth Media Publication

PRESIDENT/ EDITOR IN CHIEF Deborah Wyatt Fellows [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT EDITORIAL/EDITOR Jeff Smith [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR Elizabeth Edwards [email protected]

ART DIRECTOR Bob Wilcox [email protected]

PRODUCTION DIR. Theresa Burau-Baehr [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Claire Stortz [email protected]

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Todd Zawistowski [email protected]

WEB DIRECTOR Michael Thompson [email protected]

WEB DEVELOPER Roger Lamb [email protected]

VIDEOGRAPHER Kris Riley [email protected]

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jim Driver [email protected]

Ann Gatrell [email protected]

Lisa Gillespie [email protected]

Jeff Hale [email protected]

Jill Hayes [email protected]

Amy Artz Joslin [email protected]

Cyndi Ludka [email protected]

Candace Morse [email protected]

Drew Warner [email protected]

MARKETING DIRECTOR Rachel North [email protected]

CIRCULATION FULFILLMENT MGR. Jodi G. Simpson [email protected]

MARKETING/EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Jenny Buechel [email protected]

MEDIA PROJECT COORDINATOR Meredith Busekist [email protected]

E-MARKETING SPECIALIST Lori Savage [email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER Monterey Wheeler [email protected]

CONTROLLER Kirstin Gorney [email protected]

mynorth.com/meetingsMeetings

Editorial & Advertising Offices148 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49684

Phone: 231.941.8174 Fax: 231.941.8391 E-mail: [email protected]

© 2013 Prism Publications.

FROM THE PUBLISHER OF

meetingsnorth.net • 2013 3

Page 6: MyNorth Meetings 2013

MyNorthTickets.com is your group’s connection to cooking lessons, winery tours, boat rides, concerts, theater, festivals and more!

Call 800-836-0717 for group tickets.

Your Ticket to Fun!

© 2012 MyNorth

© 2012 MyNorthMyNorth

Page 7: MyNorth Meetings 2013

meetingsnorth.net • 2013 5

Spider Lake RetreatPerched shoreside on one of the Traverse City region’s most

enchanting lakes, Spider Lake Retreat sports a family lodge

feel, but is large enough to accommodate corporate groups.

Fultz loves the mirrored kitchen—two of everything: two

double-stack ovens, two big refrigerators, two workspaces,

so on. The retreat feels like a new and beautiful lake home

(not rustic), but it can sleep 64 in 16 bedrooms, so the lodge

can handle a group. Meetings happen in the large dining

room and rec room. Two balconies serve as great breakout

spaces. The beach and Adirondack chairs await for break

time. 231.935.0111, antonco.com.

Twin Lakes Camp With its expansive woodsy lodge, pure-sand beach and for-

ested surroundings, Twin Lakes Camp transports guests to a

relaxed state that’s just right for open conversations and cre-

ative thinking. As a caterer, Fultz has been impressed with the

quality and capacity of the kitchen, which allows groups to do

whatever they want from a food standpoint. She’s also seen

the relatively large meeting room handle groups of

125 without losing its relaxed spirit. The fireplace

and lakeside pavilion are nice tone setters, and

in summer guests hop in the lake for a swim.

Dorm on site. 10 minutes to downtown

TC. Owned by Grand Traverse County,

231.922.4818. Search: Grand Traverse

Twin Lakes Camp.

Cherry Tree Inn and Suites Large-ish groups that intend to

meet in a single large room do well

at the Cherry Tree Inn, Fultz says.

Attendees like that their rooms are

right on the beach and that they’re

close to Traverse City, so the town’s

acclaimed foodie scene and entertain-

ment are right nearby. The Cherry Tree

Inn’s large meeting room is in classic style,

and Fultz says the friendly staff make meetings easy and

comfortable to pull off. 877.778.8999, cherrytreeinn.com.

Timber Ridge Resort“This is a great one for bringing a bit of Northern Michigan

into your meeting,” Fultz says. Timber Ridge offers a large

cozy loggy lodge meeting room in northwoods style,

enhanced with a big fieldstone fireplace that warms up

the space, and a small adjacent kitchenette that offers

a range of food possibilities. For group bonding outings

or break time, excellent trails for hiking, mountain bik-

ing, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing are right out

the door. Fultz has seen many groups use Timber Ridge

to gather away from their hotel to mix up the meeting

vibe, since the venue is just minutes from Traverse City.

231.947.2770, timberridgeresort.net.

Additions at Grand Traverse ResortIn an acknowledgment that innovative spaces can inspire innovative ideas, the Grand Traverse Resort has added two small but creatively designed rooms to its meeting room array.

Manitou Room: A pool table, bar and big screen TV (with wii hookup) will help your crew bond over games and good times. You might feel like you’ve been transported into a friend’s most excellent party room, but nothing wrong with that. Intimate at 1,004 square feet.

Northwoods Room: Striking a balance between warm and upscale, this 1,366-square-foot boardroom, complete with large boardroom table, is outfitted with a fireplace, cedar trim and cushy chairs. 800.748.0303, grandtraverseresort.com.

Meeting Spaces

A Caterer’s FavsAs manager at Traverse City’s Grandview Catering, Jen Fultz has checked out pretty much every venue in the region. We asked her to share a few off-the-radar favor-ites, places that keep it fresh, mix up the vibe and can be useful in helping groups to problem-solve in innovative ways.

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Why Choose Grand Traverse Resort and Spa?It’s the surprising destination that has it all: expansive meeting space, exceptional golf, exciting group activities, delicious food and drink – and a staff that excels at successful meetings. But it is more than that. It’s the convenience of the Traverse City region that beckons our guests to shop downtown, taste local wines, and experience year-round activities that encourage your attendee’s participation and help you achieve your meeting goals. Meeting

success in any season 800-748-0303 | grandtraverseresort.com/meetings Owned & Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

WatchBarefoot TV

Request our magazine

Friend us online

Page 9: MyNorth Meetings 2013

Why Choose Grand Traverse Resort and Spa?It’s the surprising destination that has it all: expansive meeting space, exceptional golf, exciting group activities, delicious food and drink – and a staff that excels at successful meetings. But it is more than that. It’s the convenience of the Traverse City region that beckons our guests to shop downtown, taste local wines, and experience year-round activities that encourage your attendee’s participation and help you achieve your meeting goals. Meeting

success in any season 800-748-0303 | grandtraverseresort.com/meetings Owned & Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

WatchBarefoot TV

Request our magazine

Friend us online

Page 10: MyNorth Meetings 2013

Big ShootersGolf stars and internationally renowned course designers

have applied their talent to Northern Michigan courses. Treat your team to a round from golf’s brain trust.

Golf Favorites

Page 11: MyNorth Meetings 2013

meetingsnorth.net • 2013 9

1. THE BEARJack Nicklaus, Grand Traverse ResortRanked as one of the top 20 toughest courses

in America, this dramatically sculpted beauty

by Jack Nicklaus stands as a Northern Michi-

gan icon. Terraced fairways, tiered greens, deep

bunkers, mounds and moguls will demand all

your attention and the best of your game. Plen-

tiful forest and water hazards round out the experience. When

the Bear opened in the mid-80s, it helped kick off a golf course

construction mania that swept Northern Michigan for the next 20

years. 800.236.1577, grandtraverseresort.com.

2. MANITOU PASSAGEArnold Palmer, HomesteadDesigned by Arnold Palmer, and then modi-

fied under his watch in 2010, The Manitou Pas-

sage made Golf Week’s list of best new courses

when it reopened in 2010. Expect a gentle start

that gets tougher as you go, thanks in part to

the rolling and enchanting terrain of Leelanau

County. The iconic 8th hole presents an unforgettable view of

Lake Michigan and delivers a challenging dogleg right while play-

ing down hill. The Homestead Resort is about 8 miles west in Glen

Arbor. 231.334.5000, thehomesteadresort.com.

3. BLACK FORESTTom Doak, Wilderness ValleyTom Doak is one of golf’s most esteemed

course designers and also happens to be a

Northern Michigan resident. This, his second

course, opened to wide acclaim and became

viewed as a fine example of Doak’s minimalist

approach to course design, aided by his home-

land terrain and its natural ebb and flow that makes for superb

golf. Be prepared for perplexing bunkers, unexpected slopes, and

greens that mystify (appear easy—but aren’t), all on a 400-acre

site near Gaylord. 231.585.7090, blackforestgolf.com.

4. MASTERPIECERobert Trent Jones Sr., Treetops ResortSet amid one of Northern Michigan’s most

legendary pieces of geography, the Pigeon

River Valley, the Masterpiece is a challenging

play defined by puzzling elevation changes,

perplexing water hazards and confounding

forest. A beautiful and intelligent course, the

Masterpiece opened in 1985 and, along with the Legend and

the Bear, is considered part of the triumvirate of courses that

elevated Northern Michigan into national golf prominence.

866.348.5249, treetops.com.BR

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Doing Business in Northern Michigan = TVCTotal Value Convenience

The airlines provide group discounts for 10 or more attendees - please visit their websites for more details

tcvairport.com

FLY TVC - Northern Michigan’s Most Convenient Way to Fly!

AA.com Delta.com United.com

Great 2013 dates are still availableGrand Hotel introduces the Complete Meeting Package. Includes accommodations, a full breakfast and � ve-course dinner

daily with � exible dining options, cocktail reception on the evening of your choice, complimentary meeting rooms all under one roof, audio-visual equipment, daily co� ee breaks, free golf green fees (cart fee required), free wireless internet, and a convention manager dedicated to your group. Book 10 rooms or more and receive a complimentary room with meals.

Call 517-349-4600 or email [email protected] for rates and availability.

America’s summer place. A historic tradition.

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Make Your Meeting Benefi ts LastThe idea was to make an impression, to share an experience and learn together. Now that the event is over, how can you make that impression last? Your guests will keep these meaningful gifts from ShopMyNorth.com: Beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes will linger on their coffee table. The travel mug will inspire their commute. And the DVD will take them Up North …

.com231-941-8174

© 2012 MyNorth

For more information about bulk pricing and custom co-branding, contact Jodi Simpson at [email protected], or call 231-941-8174.

© 2012 MyNorth

MyNorth

Page 13: MyNorth Meetings 2013

meetingsnorth.net • 2013 11

6. THE LEGENDArnold Palmer, Shanty Creek ResortsOpened in 1986, The Legend is Arnold Palm-

er’s fi rst Northern Michigan golf course and

is on the bucket list of any devoted Michigan

golfer. A captivating play, with fairways roller-

coastering around a ski hill, The Legend serves

up elevation changes aplenty along with a solid

offering of water hazards and trees. An abundance of doglegs

forces players to rely on accuracy and focus, not always easy amid

beautiful surroundings served by elevated tees that invite the eye

to take in the scenery. 800.678.4111, shantycreek.com.

7. THE HEATHERRobert Trent Jones Sr., Boyne HighlandsOne of the fi rst acclaimed public courses in

Northern Michigan, The Heather wears its

years well and has remained a must-play

course for Mitten state golfers. The course

sports such Jones trademark techniques as

elevated greens, heavily bunkered approach-

es and extensive water hazards. Jones, who lived to 94 and is

in the World Golf Hall of Fame, was noted for courses that re-

quired both intellect and risk, both in evidence at The Heather.

800.462.6963, boyne.com.

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5. CEDAR RIVERTom Weiskopf, Shanty Creek ResortsA kind of grace and elegance, a distillation of North-

ern Michigan landscape, prevails throughout this

Weiskopf course that opened in 1999. Weiskopf

mixes the pace, from fairways that roll out in an easy

undulation to perplexing obstacle courses, like No.

14, that forces a downhill shot dropped onto a din-

ner-table sized green. Nail that and somebody else buys the fi rst round.

800.678.4111, shantycreek.com.

Page 14: MyNorth Meetings 2013

Made for Meeting! Nestled in the Victorian port city of Manistee, Little River Casino Resort is one of Michigan’s premier conference and entertainment destinations. Little River Casino Resort offers space, accommodations, and catering to suit any event, accommodating groups of half a dozen to hundreds. We have a variety of meeting spaces, a 14,000 square foot multifunctional event center, state-of-the-art AV equipment and support, and a first class hotel with 292 guest rooms. Plus, you can enjoy wonderful dining in any of our three restaurants. Then experience the finest in casino action with over 1,500 exciting slot machines and table games! Give us a call today at 1-888-568-2244 and let us make your next event a success!

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meetingsnorth.net • 2013 13

Wine tasting tours make for fun and memora-

ble corporate events, but the logistics take some

thinking through. We check in with Doug Dornbos,

who has led dozens of wine tours over the years

with his two companies, GT Wine Tours and Grand

Traverse Limousine.

Any general advice before we get to the specifics? Some people look at wine touring as

another version of bar hopping. But that is not real-

ly the point. The point is we have incredible scen-

ery to enjoy. We have great wineries to enjoy. It’s a

great way to spend a day, but it’s not a drunkfest.

Okay. Got it. Have fun, but show respect. What else? I think corporate wine tours are most

successful when the organizer has a goal. If the goal

is just to take a break from the heaviness of the

corporate retreat, that’s a worthy goal. But oth-

ers will use it as team building or as a way to

study customer service. Some find a way to use

the trip to highlight something they’re talking

about on the retreat.

What about advice for mapping out the route? You have to be realistic about

the number of wineries you can visit

in, say, four hours. We often have to

help people trim back their list. On

Leelanau Peninsula, the wineries are

farther apart than on Old Mission, so

be aware of how that affects travel

time. We call them gap miles. Four is

generally a good number.

Corporate planners want to know that the tour company they are dealing with has an appropriate commercial license and adequate insur-ance to be chaper-oning employees. Making things easy, the Michigan Department of Transportation keeps an online list for limousine and bus companies (sepa-rate lists). Users can search by size of vehicle and county to see an alphabetized list of carriers with current licensing and insurance. [Internet search: “MDOT cur-rent list of carriers”]

Licensed? Insured?

Winery Tours

Tips for Group Wine ToursTaking your crew on the wine tour highway is fun and easy, but still takes some planning.

COVER THE BASES

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Who sets the pace of the outing? It’s important to

have that figured out. Some people really like to be struc-

tured and stay on the clock. Other people want to lounge

at every tasting room. I find it’s best not to put those two

groups together, have separate vehicles. My advice in gen-

eral though is, for it to be a great day, don’t be overly com-

mitted to a structure. Be open to the day as it unfolds.

What about specifics of dealing with the wineries?The wineries have a contract they ask tour companies to

sign that establishes some courtesies. And one is we will

call 24 hours ahead if there are going to be more than 10

people. The wineries build beautiful but somewhat inti-

mate tasting rooms and if you show up with a big group

at a busy time it can swamp the tasting room. So they like

a little notice. Generally the tour guide can deal with the

wineries for you.

What days seem to work best for larger groups?I’d want to go for a Tuesday. It’s a slow day at wineries and in

effect you own the winery. You get better service that way too.

But in general, weekdays are less busy and off-season, too, of

course. As for days to avoid, Saturdays in the fall harvest and

color tour season are just nuts.

Do the wineries charge for tastings? It varies. Some

wineries charge a few bucks for tastings. Some can sell wine by

the glass, others can’t. Tour guides are happy to deal with that

for the customer.

Tell us about lead-time and pricing. The sooner

the better, especially if you are looking at weekends, when

you’re competing with weddings and reunions and every-

body else. There are 15 weekends up here when the demand

is way heavier than the number of vehicles. But if you pick

midweek and off-season it’s infinitely easier to plan. We

charge $10 per hour per person as a ballpark price.MY

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Set among breathtaking northern Michigan, the Crystal Center – Crystal Mountain’s dedicated

conference facility – was built to inspire productivity and learning. This full-service center offers

flexible seating for up to 350, on-site catering, advanced presentation technologies and a talented

planning staff. All just steps away from exceptional lodging, an award-winning wellness spa, and

countless resort activities.

crysta l moun ta in .com | 800.your .mtn

Retreat to northern Michigan’s only IACC four-season conference facility.

Michigan’s PreMier Four SeaSon ConFerenCe DeStination

Page 18: MyNorth Meetings 2013

P a r kPlaceHotel

Park PlaceH o t e l

Park Place Hotel

Park Place Hotel_My North Mtgs Ad.outlines.indd 1 1/12/2011 2:26:29 PM

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meetingsnorth.net • 2013 17

1. Love Traverse City Why I like it: Who doesn’t LOVE TC? Or Michigan? This Great Lakes line of logo-wear is perfect for meetings anywhere in the state. LOVETRAVERSECITY.COM.

2. Cherry Republic’s Dark Chocolate–Covered CherriesWhy I like it: Delicious. I can eat a WHOLE bag! Your guests can too! CHERRYREPUBLIC.COM/SHOP-CHERRY-REPUBLIC/CHOCOLATE-CHERRIES

/DARK-CHOCOLATE.

3. Eco Lunch GearWhy I like it: The fabrics are customizable, produced in Traverse City and made with organic cotton. Can be adorned with a logo for a golf outing giveaway or for the box lunch on the course! ECOLUNCHGEAR.COM.

4. Cherry Stop’s Cherriyaki Why I like it: Wonderful blend of cherry and soy fl avors. Travels well on the trip home. Plus, Cherriyaki is just fun to say! THECHERRYSTOP.COM/CHERRIYAKI-SAUCE.HTML.

5. Great Lake State ToteWhy I like it: Provide a bag that attendees will want to use AFTER the event and will ACTUALLY use! NORTHERNPIER.COM/PRODUCT/THE-

GREAT-LAKE-STATE-TOTE-BAG.

Allison Beers is owner and founder of Events North. eventsnorth.com

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Gifts for Attendees

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As a meeting planner headquartered in Traverse City, I’ve

made TC-centric goodie bags one of my specialties. Here

are a few of my favorite picks to slide into the tote (or, in

one case, be the tote!).

Northern Michigan Goodie Bags By Allison Beers

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Grand Traverse CommonsThe largest historical restoration project in the

nation, Grand Traverse Commons, is underway

just west of Traverse City’s downtown, where

developers are transforming a colossal 19th-cen-

tury mental hospital into a beautiful community

of residences, shopping, eating and entertain-

ment. Let your group free up some creativity

by wandering the parklike grounds or hiking the

trails. Then check out the memorable shops and

restaurants in the Mercado and on the grounds.

Wow. Unforgettable.

Harbor Springs & M-119 TourLet the curve and sway of the famous Tunnel

of Trees highway (M-119) reward your crew and

then backtrack the beauty to end the drive at

Harbor Springs. Explore national-quality art gal-

leries, fashionista-worthy boutiques and eateries

of Harbor Springs. Free-up thoughts further with

a stroll along that big-boat marina and captivat-

ing waterfront.

Petoskey and Crooked Tree Art CenterCrooked Tree Arts Center has evolved into one of

Northern Michigan’s most remarkable venues. High

quality art exhibits coexist with community theater

and touring shows. Spend time letting art inspire

your group and then walk to explore Petoskey, one

of the Midwest’s most memorable Victorian-era

lakeside shopping districts. Irresistible boutiques,

spirited local bookstores, worthy restaurant options.

Walk to the harbor for some big blue. Pretty!

Traverse City and Dennos Art MuseumTraverse City’s Dennos Art Museum has earned

a reputation for top-notch picks, bringing in a

steady lineup of international and national tour-

ing exhibits and building a stout collection of

its own. After enjoying the galleries, steer the

group to TC’s downtown and enjoy the remark-

able verve of this renowned small town on the

bay. Beautiful beach, marina, inventive bou-

tiques, locally owned bookstores and a national-

ly acclaimed restaurant scene, all walkable.

Off-Site Activities Idea Book

America is falling in love all over again with the two-wheeler. Help your crew feel like 14-year-olds on bikes (and put ideas in motion, too) with an easy but active spin on a safe bike path. Bike rental shops are popping up all over Northern Michigan, many right by bike paths. Favorite trails (your people can ride as much or as little as they please): Leelanau Trail, 17 miles from Suttons Bay to Traverse City; Little Traverse Wheelway, 25 miles from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix; TART Trail, 11 miles from Traverse City to Acme.

Rent Bikes

An Attraction and a TownStretch the legs, breathe fresh air and, of course, go shopping(!). Give your crew a break from meetings by pairing a Northern Michigan attraction with a casual day exploring a Great Lake harbor town. These four ideas get the party started.

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Northern Michigan ski resorts aren’t just for skiers anymore. For group planners, that’s good news,

because ski resorts know how to handle numbers and have all the gear to make outings easy.

Also, your members don’t have to be athletes to enjoy all of these activities.

A few ideas to consider:

Tube Runs

Settle into a giant inflated inner tube and slide down the hill. (What could inspire childlike creativ-

ity more than that?). Athleticism not required—a tow rope takes your people back to the top.

SnowmobilesMany resorts will arrange snowmobile rentals for your crew, and the venues are typically near

extensive trail networks. Steering a sled (snowmobile parlance) is maybe not for everybody,

but most people can handle it, especially on groomed trails.

SnowshoeingSnowshoes are a go-slow way to enjoy the snow, plus they offer excellent stability—especially

when using poles. Ask the concierge to suggest a pretty trail and a distance right for your

crew’s fitness level and give this a try.

On The Big Water Chart a course! Hoist the sails! Or just wander the deck with an appe-

tizer and a beverage. Either way, an outing on the Great Lakes makes an unforgettable addition to any conference.

Traverse City: Two-masted Schooner Manitou, on Grand Traverse Bay. Charlevoix: Ferry cruises on Lake Charlevoix or Lake Michigan through Beaver Island Boat Co. or Keweenaw Excursions. Lighthouse tours in the Mackinac Straits: Shepler’s Ferry Service. Leland: Evening cruises on Lake Michigan on the ferry Mishe-Mokwa, Manitou Island Transit.

Winter Notions

Team building? What better metaphor than putting two people in a canoe and setting them off on a Northern Michigan river. Navigate the shoals, dodge the trees, power through the culverts. Well, you get the idea. Liveries generally have enough canoes to handle large groups, and Northern Michigan rivers are doable for novice paddlers.

Au Sable River: Downtown Grayling has several liveries.

Manistee River: Shel-Haven, just west of Grayling.

Boardman River: Ranch Rudolf, south of Traverse City.

Bear River: Bear River Canoe Livery, Petoskey.

Crystal River (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore): Glen Arbor has two liveries, Crystal River Outfitters and The River.

Platte River (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore): Trading Post and Riverside Canoe Rental.

Canoe Flotilla

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Boyne USA (Inside back Cover)800-862-6963boyne.comMark Homuth, Ext. 1

Cherry Capital Airport (Page 10) 231-947-2250 tvcairport.com

Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa (Page 15)800-968-7686crystalmountain.com/ meetingshome

Grand Hotel(Page 10)517-349-4600grandhotel.com/meetings

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (Page 6 & 7)800-748-0303 Ext. 6150grandtraverseresort.com

Hagerty Center (Inside Front Cover)231-995-3100nmc.edu/hagertycenterNate Glidden

Little River Casino Resort (Page 12) 888-568-2244lrcr.com

Park Place (Page 16)231-946-5196park-place-hotel.comMargaret Morse

Shanty Creek Resorts(Back Cover)800-678-4111shantycreek.com/meetings

Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau (Page 2)800-940-1120traversecity.comMary Winowiecki

Cherry Capital Airport231.947.2250; tvcairport.comAIRLINES: Delta, United, American EagleDAILY FLIGHTS TO: Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Marquette Seasonal weekend service: New York, DenverCAR RENTALS: Avis (231.946.1222), Budget (231.947.3883), Enterprise (231.922-2800), Hertz (231.946.7051), National/Alamo (231.947.1560)

Pellston Regional Airport 231.539.8441; pellstonairport.comAIRLINES: Delta Connections, Lakeshore ExpressNUMBER OF DAILY FLIGHTS TO: Detroit: 2-4 daily (varies seasonally)Chicago: weekend flightsCAR RENTALS/TRANSPORTATION: Avis (231.539.8302), Hertz (231.539.8404), Mackinaw Shuttle (231.539.7005) and Wolverine Stages (800.825.1450)

Manistee County Blacker Airport 231.723.4351; manisteeairport.comAIRLINES: PublicChartersNUMBER OF DAILY FLIGHTS TO: Daily service to Chicago MidwaySeasonal weekend service also availableCAR RENTALS/TRANSPORTATION: Mowry Rental (231.723.4351)

8ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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LAKE HURON

LAKE MICHIGAN

GRAND TRAVERSE

BAY Boyne City

Harbor Springs

Charlevoix

Gaylord

Gladstone

Houghton Lake

Manistique

Munising

Newberry

St. Ignace

Drummond Island

Cheboygan

Ludington

Manistee

Petoskey

Suttons Bay

Grayling

Acme Kalkaska

Christmas

Hessel

Northport

Peshawbestown

Lewiston

Brimley

Cadillac

Escanaba

Sault Ste. Marie

Traverse City

CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT

MANISTEE COUNTYBLACKER AIRPORT

PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT MAP AREA Pellston

Mackinac Island

Mt. Pleasant

Getting Here NORTHERN MICHIGAN AREA AIRPORTS

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