For eight years running, Kalamazoo-based KSS Enterprises has held its large summer sales meeting at Bay Pointe in Shelbyville. Attendees come from all over Michigan, northern Indiana, and Ohio, so the location about 30 minutes south of Grand Rapids is convenient. Equally important, though, is Bay Pointe’s waterfront setting. Located on Gun Lake, the resort is built around the scenic panoramas and water-oriented activities that KSS Enterprises Senior Executive Administrator Christie Tucker says make it next-level.
“Its meeting space, hotel space, and entertainment space, and also the ability to be on the water, [are things that can be] very hard to find in a central location for us,” Tucker says. “There are a lot of things up north, a lot on the way up along the lakeshore, but to find a central location that checks all those boxes is a rarity.”
After meeting during the day, for example, KSS rents pontoons and takes attendees on the lake for several hours. “We have our dinner by the water before we head out on the boats,” Tucker says. “We use the boathouse after our boating event for the more casual evening gathering.”
Bay Pointe isn’t alone in being sought after for its waterfront location. Other venues throughout Michigan also hold appeal for planners who want meeting participants to enjoy a beautiful backdrop while they’re gathering.
Blue Thumb
Jessica Gibson, director of meeting sales for Discover Michigan’s Thumbcoast, says the Port Huron region boasts multiple waterfront properties that are very popular for group events. On the St. Clair River near the Blue Water Bridge with a front-row seat view of passing freighters is the complex that includes the Blue Water Convention Center, adjacent to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Port Huron. “These properties are stunning, and the teams all work seamlessly together,” Gibson says, noting the 149-room DoubleTree underwent a $3 million-plus renovation in 2024.
The convention center, which installed new audiovisual technology in 2024, also features river views. With 36,000 square feet of space, it can hold as many as 1,100 attendees. “It probably works better in the 300 to 600 range because they might need breakouts,” Gibson says. “But we’ve definitely done trade shows for large groups.”
A little to the south in St. Clair, The St. Clair Inn—turning 100 this year and recently joining the Marriott Tribute Portfolio—was renovated in 2019 and is embarking on an expansion of its event space and lodging areas. The St. Clair Inn currently has 85 sleeping rooms, three private cottages, and about 12,000 square feet of meeting space for indoor gatherings, plus more than 11,000 square feet outdoors. “St. Clair is a charming town,” Gibson says. “You can walk right out of the hotel and stroll along the riverfront. There are lots of shops and restaurants you can just walk to.”
Up North
Just south of Petoskey, the upscale Inn at Bay Harbor overlooks Little Traverse Bay. Owned by Boyne Resorts and recently transitioned to an independent operation after two decades in the Marriott portfolio, it has 117 lodging rooms and eight meeting rooms and spaces totaling nearly 10,000 square feet when combined with facilities at Bay Harbor Golf Club. Shuttles provide rides to popular destinations within 5 miles of the resort, such as wineries, downtown Petoskey, and more.
At Delamar Traverse City, Director of Sales and Marketing Taryn Miracle says the property’s waterfront location couldn’t get much better. “When planners are looking for a true northern Michigan vibe, our Dayclub and Lakeshore Terrace in particular are wildly popular in the summertime,” she says. In all, the Delamar has a little over 4,000 square feet of meeting space and 173 guest rooms. Miracle adds, “Groups meet in the Dayclub and go out onto the Lakeshore Terrace, which overlooks Grand Traverse Bay, whether they want to have breakfast or lunch out there or just [want] refreshment breaks.”
On Mackinac Island, Mission Point Resort is the quintessential waterfront conference property, with 243 rooms and 38,000 square feet of venue space on the shores of Lake Huron, as well as sweeping views of the Straits of Mackinac. “Many of our meeting spaces, guest rooms, and outdoor venues offer lake views, allowing attendees to feel connected to the natural surroundings throughout their stay,” says Liz Ware, the resort’s vice president of sales and marketing. “The water becomes part of the programming itself, whether that’s [during] lakeside receptions, team-building activities on the Great Lawn, sunrise walks along the shoreline, or simply informal networking on a terrace overlooking the lake.”
More Full-Service Resorts
The waterfront location of The Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph is a major driver for planners who are looking to balance productive meetings with a sense of retreat, says the inn’s Director of Sales and Marketing ElizaBeth Hacker. “Being directly on the St. Joseph River gives groups a true destination feel without sacrificing accessibility,” she says. “Planners consistently tell us the water views help set a more relaxed tone for trainings, retreats, and conferences.”
Featuring 92 guest rooms, The Inn at Harbor Shores has 6,441 square feet of flexible meeting space. Its Harbor View Ballroom fits up to 180 for a conference-type event or 290 for dinner, and features a balcony overlooking the harbor. The Waterside Room comfortably hosts up to 50 or can be divided into two smaller rooms, and there’s also a boardroom for up to 18, along with outdoor event space on the harbor. The inn is currently renovating its lobby and on-site restaurant, and guest rooms were refreshed in two phases, with completion in April last year.
University of Michigan-Flint’s Riverfront Conference Center along the Flint River is the largest conference center in Genesee County, says University Events Manager Launa Collins. It went through a $1 million renovation in 2021 and, at 24,000-plus square feet, its available event space accommodates around 900 on the high end or can be divided into multiple room configurations for smaller groups.
“The [conference center] is just one building along the river on university property,” Collins says, noting other University of Michigan-Flint facilities along the river often have space for rent. Dorm-style lodging, including some private rooms, are offered for educational community partners and conferencegoers, depending on availability.
No Guest Rooms, Just Views
In walking distance of Delamar Traverse City, The Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College has become a go-to for events, during which participants stay at nearby hotels but attend dinners, trainings, and other gatherings at the facility that fronts West Grand Traverse Bay. “Being located on the waterfront is very important to our groups,” says Director Chad Schenkelberger.
The Hagerty Center features six different room configurations accommodating as few as 25 people to as many as 300. A waterfront courtyard often is incorporated for postevent receptions or simply as a place to unwind during breaks. Catering is available in house, and the center recently completed an overhaul of its audiovisual system with the installation of six 100-inch LED TVs, two portable LED video walls, and upgraded speakers.
Just outside Mackinaw City, the Emmet County-owned Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits on 525 acres and 2 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Its Waterfront Event Center has capacity for seating 120 people indoors, along with 80 on the covered patio. “It’s phenomenal for workshops,” says Emmet County Park Manager Jamie Westfall, noting hourly and nonprofit rates are available midweek to make it more affordable for organizations and conferences.
In Detroit, Waterview Loft at Port Detroit offers two levels with floor-to-ceiling windows serving up views of the Detroit River and the Windsor, Ontario, skyline. Elizabeth Rupinski , senior event coordinator, says Waterview Loft accommodates 250 attendees banquet-style or up to 400 for strolling corporate events.
“The upper level is ideal for breakfast meetings and smaller daytime events, while the lower level and outdoor patio provide a relaxed setting for corporate happy hours and social events,” she says, noting Troy-based Continental Services is its culinary partner. “Larger events often make use of both levels,” she adds.
Water Play
Several of the resorts also offer plenty of water-focused fun. At The Inn at Harbor Shores, that means paddleboating, kayaking, walking the harbor, or spending downtime by the water. Bay Pointe, which offers 38 hotel rooms, 18 cottage units, and a boathouse villa, along with gathering spaces that accommodate up to 300 attendees indoors and 200 outside, provides kayaks on-site. Marketing Manager Marlee Meads says the property is hoping to expand its water-toy rental system for corporate and transit guests.
Delamar Traverse City has on-site vendors for water activities, including Wind Dancer Traverse City Tours, which offers tall ship and pontoon excursions; Nauti-Cat Cruises with catamaran adventures and boat tours; and TC Watersports, providing rentals of Jet Skis, boats, water trampolines, kayaks, paddleboards, and more. Beach or sunrise yoga are additional options through a partnership with Traverse City’s Yen Yoga & Fitness.
Inn at Bay Harbor offers the “Sunset Sound Healing” program in July and August. Participants immerse themselves in the sounds of waves while experiencing a sound bath with calming instruments, such as quartz crystal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, and drums with a beautiful Lake Michigan backdrop.
“Being on the water in nature and also a little secluded from the city truly helps people feel at ease,” Meads says. “It gives birth to more creativity and connection, as people are able to unplug better.”
baypointeinn.com
bluewater.org
delamar.com
emmetcounty.org
hagertycenter.com
harborshoresresort.com/the-inn
hilton.com
innatbayharbor.com
missionpoint.com
stclairinn.com
umflint.edu
waterviewloft.com
