The name “Kalamazoo” just rolls off the tongue, does it not? The midsize Michigan city has gained fame through several hit songs, from Glenn Miller Orchestra’s “(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo” to Detroit-area native Bob Seger’s “Mary Lou.” Despite this, the origin of the city’s name remains unknown. The most widely accepted theory is that it comes from the Potawatomi word for “boiling water,” and was fittingly named according to the legend of a young Potawatomi man named Fleet Foot who had to “win” his bride by running from a settlement down along the Kalamazoo River and back again before a pot of water could boil.
As a host city, Kalamazoo is known for its accessibility, relatively low costs, and vibrant culture, making it a prime destination for gatherings. “We get data comparing Kalamazoo to other markets, and it’s consistently rated as a more affordable place to live and recreate,” says Discover Kalamazoo’s President and CEO Jane Ghosh. She notes its hotel rates are reasonable, and many attractions, including some live performances, are low-cost or even free.
Kalamazoo’s roots as an accessible destination run deep. “The first curb cut in the U.S. was right here, created for veterans returning from World War II [in 1945],” Ghosh says. Prior to this, most street curbs in the U.S. did not have graded ramps leading down to the street, but featured solid drop-offs that made it difficult for people with physical disabilities or mobility challenges to get around. The spirit of this kind of convenience extends to just about everything in the city, she adds, including its location within Michigan.
Kalamazoo is the largest city in southwestern Michigan. It is the seat of Kalamazoo County, which also includes charming Vicksburg, Galesburg, Portage, and other small communities. It is on a major bend in the Kalamazoo River, with smaller tributaries and lakes offering scenic views. Anchored at the intersection of Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 131, it is centrally situated for most Michiganders and about a 2 1/2-hour drive from Chicago, Illinois. “We’re very, very easy to get to,” Ghosh says.
Options Aplenty
Beyond convenience, Kalamazoo offers an impressive array of traditional and unconventional meeting spaces, top-tier restaurants, and memorable activities for meeting planners and their attendees. At the heart of the city is its thriving downtown, where there are three premier hotels with conference capabilities. The recently renovated Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center has updated its 340 guest rooms, lobby, and social areas, as well as meeting and event spaces. Gatherings up to 1,280 guests can be accommodated in a single space, and there is 50,000 square feet of flexible space that can be configured into 26 meeting rooms if needed.
“We truly run the gamut of conventions, from statewide, regional, and national association conventions to anime and gaming conventions,” says Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center General Manager Craig Davies. “We host corporate retreats and training days, sports teams, marriage retreats, you name it.” The hotel also was awarded Renovation of the Year by Choice Hotels International in May this year.
Neighboring properties include the new Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown, which contains 2,100 square feet of meeting space and 114 guest rooms. Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo Downtown also offers 2,100 square feet of meeting and event space along with 106 guest rooms. With this combination of nearby accommodations, the city can comfortably host events with 600 to 700 attendees downtown. The newly remodeled Delta Hotels Kalamazoo Conference Center is just a short drive from downtown. It offers 182 rooms and can accommodate 800 people in 42,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with a customizable catering menu.
Kalamazoo boasts a range of unconventional venues that brings creativity and fun to any gathering. When the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism was held in Kalamazoo in April, planners designated a walking path from the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center to a welcome reception at Bell’s Brewery. Those who participated were treated to buffets of appetizers and had a chance to sample The Governor’s Whitbier, a play on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s name in a Belgian-style witbier concocted specially for the occasion. “If you or any of your attendees are beer drinkers, they will know Bell’s,” Ghosh says. The brewery boasts a back room often used for performances, and its beer garden is among the most well known in Michigan—a perfect setting for informal meetings or post-conference receptions.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum is a popular venue choice. “It’s a phenomenal place,” Ghosh says. “[It has] the largest indoor mural in North America, and you’re surrounded by aircraft.” Air Zoo Group and Events Manager Holly Lee says groups can hold meetings there and take breaks by visiting the facility’s hands-on exhibits. Team-building activities can be structured around the museum’s themes, including aviation and space exploration. Private tours can be arranged, as can full sit-down dinners. “Of course, we put people into planes all the time,” Lee says. “We love to get people sitting in cockpits.”
The Gilmore Car Museum is another popular meeting spot. Located near Gull Lake, North America’s largest car museum transports guests back in time with approximately 400 vintage automobiles on display and a total collection of more than 500. The oldest one showcased is an 1899 Locomobile Steam Car. The museum offers a variety of meeting and event spaces with multiple ballrooms and a historic outdoor campus space that accommodates groups of all sizes, among others.
Kalamazoo-based Millennium Restaurant Group provides dining services at both the Air Zoo and Gilmore Car Museum, along with operating several standout restaurants throughout the city.
“Cove Lakeside Bistro, located just south of the Air Zoo, is one of my favorites,” Ghosh says. “It has waterfront dining, and every time I go there, I think about how in most communities you would have to pay a fortune or make reservations months in advance to enjoy a place like this.”
Another Millennium gem is Fieldstone Grill, which overlooks acres of wetlands in nearby Portage. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, diners can enjoy stunning views while savoring exceptional meals. Martell’s, yet another Millennium venue, offers outdoor patio dining overlooking a small lake in the Parkview Hills neighborhood.
Other dining options include downtown hangout Principle Food & Drink, where creativity meets craft cocktails and contemporary dishes, and Brick and Brine, which has three private event spaces perfect for toasting the team. Crafted Copper recently opened downtown, featuring a self-pour tap wall, craft cocktails, duckpin bowling, and small-plate pub fare. Meeting planners can also book the space.
Beyond dining, there are lots of things to do in Kalamazoo. When the Michigan Society of Association Executives held its annual conference in Kalamazoo in 2023, three immersive experiences kicked things off. Attendees could choose from a tour of the Heritage Guitars factory followed by a tasting at Brewery Outré; an afternoon of indoor rock climbing at Climb Kalamazoo with healthy snacks from Juicy Leaf; or a painting session with Colors & Cocktails at the Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown.
In addition to these intriguing choices, planners might also book group activities at places such as Kalamazoo Glass Arts, which lets attendees try glassblowing, and the Kalamazoo Candle Co., offering make-your-own candle classes. Combat Ready Art downtown features paintball and classes in tactile art forms such as blacksmithing and metalwork.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the city’s abundance of parks and trails, such as the walking paths and beach at Ramona Park. Bronson Park provides a beautiful, floral-filled downtown oasis suited to a lunchtime stroll. For those seeking an extended adventure, the Kal-Haven Trail offers a scenic bike route from Kalamazoo to South Haven, where attendees might enjoy the shores of picturesque Lake Michigan. At the Kalamazoo Nature Center, the Timber-Framed Barn makes for a stunning event space, with room for up to 160 attendees. Although it is only available at certain times of the year, the barn is surrounded by walking trails for attendees to enjoy. A restored antique windmill is among other highlights at the center.
Kalamazoo is also home to a vibrant arts scene, with more than 1,500 live performances happening throughout the year. From music and theater to dance, the city’s many shows leave no shortage of entertaining activities for planners to add to an itinerary. Ghosh says during the summer, the city also has many outdoor, free music performances. “On Fridays, we have Lunchtime Live in Bronson Park with food trucks and bands, and Wednesday nights feature Beats on Bates, with live music and a social district where you can stroll with a drink in hand,” she says. Although they move inside once summer ends, free and low-cost arts events happen throughout the year in Kalamazoo; The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo aids the city in organizing many of these, ensuring that no matter the season, there is always something happening.
Kalamazoo also is known for its colleges, including Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, all of which offer rental space for meeting planners. Its college-town vibe adds to the affordability and walkability that make Kalamazoo a fantastic host city.