Planners looking for generally lower rates and to host a gathering that will warm attendees all over might consider a wintertime meeting at one of Michigan’s winter havens. This time of year, activities such as sleigh rides, snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding can often be part of the itinerary, and campfires with hot chocolate and outdoor heated pools or hot tubs can be experienced in an entirely different way. Throw in spa services when the temperatures are low, and long meeting days at these venues become even more relaxing.
“At resorts, generally speaking, when the kids are in school, rates are lower,” says Arah Johnson, senior vice president of sales and marketing at ski resort Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. “Some of the best prices to be had throughout the year occur midweek in the winter, and you get the advantage of still having a lot of activities and programming.”
Johnson says weekends draw continuing medical education programs to Crystal Mountain (during which many attendees bring family along), and midweek is more focused on corporate and team-building events, as well as association educational events. Winter experiences here might include horse-drawn surrey rides, which feature a campfire followed by dinner, or vice versa. Discounted lift tickets are available for groups staying at Crystal Mountain, and spa services also can be arranged.
In Gaylord, a similar winter wonderland awaits planners and attendees at Treetops Resort. Here, dogsledding, tubing, and guided headlamp tours are included in the mix, along with skiing, snowboarding, sleigh rides, and spa services. “People have really put importance on getting outside and having something to enjoy in terms of recreation and activities,” says Treetops Resort Director of Sales Mike Flynn. He notes planners might take advantage of the resort’s team-building opportunities and other ways to encourage camaraderie outside of the meeting agenda.
Boyne Resorts based in northwestern Lower Michigan offers three properties for winter gatherings: Boyne Mountain Resort, The Highlands, and The Inn at Bay Harbor, where hotel buyouts are possible. Midweek is best for hosting meetings at the former two due to high-volume ski business on weekends, although medical conferences work well for Saturdays and Sundays, says Boyne Resorts Director of Sales Brie Woodhouse. At Boyne Resorts properties, planners can purchase gift cards that allow attendees to choose their own adventure—from zip lining and spa services to skiing and tubing. At Boyne Mountain Resort, planners also can arrange a buyout of its water park after hours.
At The Homestead in Glen Arbor, attendees might enjoy winter activities like fat biking, and downhill and cross-country skiing.Scheduling spa time is another option that works well during the colder weather. “If you want to get away for team bonding or strategic planning, we certainly have a spectacular place to do that,” says James Kuras, vice president at The Homestead.
At Island Resort & Casino in Harris, near Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula, about 650 attendees can be accommodated for a conference, and 454 lodging rooms are available on the property. The facility is undergoing a $19 million expansion of its convention space to accommodate larger groups. Player Services Manager Robin Bourdeau says those who come to Island Resort & Casino for meetings also might enjoy the many outdoor activities the area has to offer. Several ski resorts are nearby, as are trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing. The resort also offers a full-service spa, a water park, and an adults-only saltwater pool and whirlpool for unwinding at the end of the day.
Some groups opt for quiet spots like Garden Grove Retreat & Lodging in Garden, also in the Upper Peninsula. Events Coordinator Nicole Young Potvin says the former Catholic retreat center is now an Airbnb-style lodging facility that frequently hosts retreats and events. There are 37 guest rooms plus an apartment with extra gathering space and a kitchen. “We’ve had corporations bring their private retreats to us, or have their board meeting, that type of thing,” Young Potvin says. In addition to traditional winter activities like cross-country skiing, Garden Grove also contracts with local professionals for massages or to lead yoga classes. Besides bonfires in the backyard, there is also a serene, medieval-style labyrinth for attendees to stroll through and collect their thoughts.
About three hours away to the east, Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center on Drummond Island also offers a quiet refuge for conferences and retreats, with space for up to 150 guests to gather between its banquet and event venue and its Pins Bar and Grill restaurant. The resort grooms its golf-cart path for cross-country skiing, and there are snowshoe trails for attendees to enjoy as well. Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center General Manager Nicole Robinson says while the resort’s meeting space and outdoor activities are big draws, its serene atmosphere is what makes events during winter special. “It’s just the pure beauty of it,” she says. “It’s very quiet and peaceful.”
boyneresorts.com
crystalmountain.com
drummondisland.com
gardengroveretreat.com
thehomesteadresort.com
islandresortandcasino.com
treetops.com