A conference or convention venue might be described by meeting planners as offering ease and convenience for multiple reasons. It may be because its address is easily accessible from numerous compass points. Or perhaps it’s the destination—with a variety of opportunities for activities and entertainment close-by. And of course, it could be that the venue itself offers a peaceful, easy setting with all the comforts you could want.
Well, at Treetops Resort, it’s all of the above.
“We are incredibly easy to get to from Detroit, Lansing, Chicago, Canada—and all points beyond. We are 75 minutes from the Traverse City Airport, which offers 17 direct flights from around the country,” says Treetops general manager Barry Owens. “We like to say we are geographically 10 minutes from I-75 but also a lifetime away. You turn into our entrance and directly into a tranquil setting that is perfect for entertaining, training, relaxing and working.”
The 2,100-acre property is packed with activities, including 81 holes of golf that have the best collection of designers in the Great Lake’s region and beyond: Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed the Masterpiece; Tom Fazio designed the Premier; and Rick Smith designed the Signature, Tradition and Threetops—the number one ranked par three in North America. Threetops is where some of legends of the game have played at the par 3 shootout: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples. Together, they have won 53 majors.
Additional warm-weather amenities include outdoor heated pools, tennis and volleyball courts, and bike trails. Nearby, guests can head to one of 100-plus lakes, rivers and streams which include the bure water trout streams of the Sturgeon, Pigeon, Manistee, Black and Au Sable rivers for fishing and kayaking. All of the streams have their headwaters in the Gaylord area, and the Pigeon is an old stomping ground of Ernest Hemingway.
The Iron Belle Trail, which extends from Belle Isle in the Detroit area to Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula, travels over 1,200 miles and through the heart of downtown Gaylord. The trail is ideal for hiking and biking in warmer weather and snowmobiling in the winter. Guests have taken advantage of the natural setting by taking fly fishing lessons or going morel hunting—even bee keeping. “Your group can suit up in protective gear and check out the resort’s hives. The area is also home to a native elk herd—which is so unique and a treat for guests to see while here,” says Owens.
When it’s time to get down to business, Treetops is equally convenient with 25,000 square feet of meeting space, including its Oak and Birch Room, which can accommodate up to 160 people per room. “You don’t ever have to leave the hotel, just head over to the Oak and Birch. Everything is all in one spot. And the on-site convention center which is just over 10,000 square feet is within walking distance. A shuttle service is available if guests prefer,” says Alex Hughes, assistant director of sales for the resort.
For accommodations, groups can choose from hotel rooms, chalet units and condo units. The chalet rooms are finishing up a $2.5 million renovation that will be completed later this summer.
Teambuilding and group activities can also be had at the resort. “We’ve had teams do an ‘Amazing Race’-style competition, chef challenges, even a Par 3 shoot-out. If they are really feeling lucky, they can try to outdo Lee Trevino’s ‘shot heard around the world’ when he aced hole 7 in 2001,” says Owens. For help planning the activities, each group has its own designated on-site planner who can coordinate all the logistics, from fly fishing to white water rafting. “Some groups have a backyard barbecue or lobster boil,” says Owens. And for groups who want to explore nearby Gaylord’s charming, Bavarian-inspired downtown for shopping or dining, the resort offers shuttle service.
For more information on the ease and convenience of Treetops Resort, visit treetops.com.
