>>Banquet/Reception Venue
Winner: The Roostertail
The Roostertail will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008, but the only thing dated is the memories made there, whether it’s an awards banquet, holiday party, fundraiser or entertaining clients. Their formula for success is no secret: take a waterfront location, renowned reputation, add more than 25,000 square feet of function space on two levels with stunning views of the Detroit River, add some palm trees and combine with first-class service and cuisine. That’s how legends are made.
Finalists: The Henry Ford, Ritz-Carlton
>>Caterer (on- or off-site)
Winner: Ritz-Carlton
A tie for Hotel with Best Service category in ’06, the Ritz has been providing top-notch on-site catering since it opened. Off-site catering is a relatively new venture. “Party planners looking for a new location for their events wanted to bring in the service and quality the Ritz-Carlton provides,” says Rebecca Dickow, public relations and marketing manager. Of course the Ritz has risen to the occasion, catering events such as the Auto Show Charity Preview Autoglow Party.
Finalists: Forte Belanger Catering, Epoch Events Catering
>>Attraction
Winner: The Henry Ford
This year the Henry Ford is our readers’ pick for top attraction. You can “remember when” at the Henry Ford Museum, chock full of national items from America’s past, or spend a day at the 90-acre Greenfield Village, where horse-drawn carriages and Model Ts clop/putter by historical homes and workshops. The Henry Ford also offers The Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Michigan’s largest IMAX® Theatre, along with endless opportunities for business, education and private events.
Finalists: National Cherry Festival, Common Ground Festival
>>Rental Service (tents, tables, linens, etc.)
Winner: Special Events Rental
With 18 categories comprising an inventory of 1,000+ rental items, Special Events Rental has your event covered. Tents to cover your guests, linens and place settings to cover your tables, the tables themselves, custom lighting, chic furniture and décor, even the Shangri-La of VIP restrooms (with marble sinks). Also offers site planning, event production and graphic design.
Finalists: Art Craft Display, BBJ Linen
>>Hotel with Meeting or Event Space
Winner: Ritz-Carlton
It’s hard to improve on standards that already set the bar, but the Ritz-Carlton has done it with $3 million in renovations last year to their lobby, ballrooms and meeting rooms. In addition to 26,000 square feet of function space, half of which is dedicated to the stunning Presidential Ballroom with private entrance that accommodates up to 1,000 guests, the hotel’s executive suites can also be transformed into boardrooms, complete with conference table, copy machine and shredder upon request.
Finalists: Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
>>Conference Venue
Winner: The Inn at St. John’s
You know it’s a vote of confidence when a venue wins a category two years in a row. The Inn at St. John’s has it all-stately Romanesque architecture, a glass atrium perfect for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for up to 600 guests, 20+ meeting and banquet rooms, three ballrooms, a luxury 118-room boutique hotel, the contemporary 5ive Restaurant and 27 holes of championship golf.
Finalists: Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge, James B. Henry Center for Executive Development
>>A/V Equipment/Visual Presentation Provider (tie)
Winner: City Animation
Founded more than 40 years ago to construct moving display platforms for new cars at the Auto Show (hence the name, City Animation), the company quickly evolved into a full-service audio-visual service provider. “We have meeting and event solutions for events from 10 to 10,000 people,” says Eric Schultz, CEO, including A/V system design, installation and visual messaging. Rental stock is continuously renewed to ensure the newest rental equipment, and backed by 24-hour on-call support.
Winner: BlueWater Technologies
BlueWater Technologies has been specializing in the design, engineering and implementation of custom technology systems for live events and permanent installations since 1985. Remember what A/V equipment was like then? This is now, which means you can turn to BlueWater A/V Integration for the latest in distance learning (aided by powerful Internet2 technology), multimedia collaboration rooms, video conferencing, visualization systems and more.
Finalists: AV Squared (tie for second), Whiteside Communication Management (tie for second)
>>Convention or Exhibition Center
Winner: Rock Financial Showplace
Although it’s been almost two year since the 240,000-square-foot Rock Financial Showplace opened, “We’re still being compared to the old building,” says Mary Jane Scott, director of sales. “Clients say it’s easier to unload and load here, they talk about the beauty of the facility, how great the parking is and our convenient location.” The Rock is not just for trade shows. With eight meeting rooms, a column-free ballroom and atrium entrance, the Diamond Center is perfect for conventions, corporate training, conferences and seminars.
Finalists: Cobo Center, Ritz-Carlton
>>Boats/Cruises/Charters
Winner: Infinity Yacht, Infinity-Ovation Yacht Charters
Their ship has come in-twice. Infinity-Ovation Yacht Charters won this category last year, and the Ovation came in second to the Infinity this year. In May the new Infinity debuts, and themed event packages were also recently added. “Sixty percent of our corporate meetings and events are repeat,” says general manager Steve Rybicki. “This allows us to keep our customers’ experience new and exciting.” Whether you choose the Ovation (capacity 300) or the Infinity (150), guests will be treated to a special occasion they won’t forget.
Finalist: Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
>>Event Décor
Winner: Display Group
Your trusty editor finally visited Display Group, winner of this category in ’06, and within minutes strolled through Egyptian, Arabian night, tropical and pirate ship displays. The inventory of events décor in their 200,000-square-foot warehouse is amazing, but only part of what they offer. From custom graphics, the latest in portable/modular displays (they’re an exclusive distributor of Nomadic Display®), complete installation and dismantling of displays to design services utilizing computer aided design, they’ll help you plan your event from start to finish.
Finalist: d/s events group inc.
>>Most Unique Venue
Winner: The Henry Ford
When it comes to events and groups, “Being innovative is the norm for us,” says Amy Cox, senior management of sales operations at the Henry Ford. Would you expect anything less from the legacy of one of America’s greatest innovators? More than 80 unique venues are available, from elegant Lovett Hall Ballroom and historic Eagle Tavern to the spectacular museum. The Henry Ford is also the state’s largest employer of union actors, available to lend atmosphere to your event.
Finalists: St. Ives Golf Club, The Inn at St. John’s
>>Transportation
Winner: Metro Cars
Metro Cars pulls up to the curb again in this category. We spend too much time on the road, so why not let Metro Cars’ professional chauffeurs handle the traffic? Select from luxury sedans, stretch limousines or even better, coach limousines with amenities like wet bar and computer hook-ups, and for groups of up to 55, deluxe motorcoaches. A major service provider to Detroit Metro Airport, Metro Cars also provides logistics, on-site group/event coordination, co-branded short or long term shuttle services, and they provide special evening rates for a safe night on the town.
Finalists: Show Me Michigan, Golden Limousine
>>Destination Management Company
Winner: Meetings Up North
Bright House Networks of Livonia, Citizens Bank of Howell and Novo Nordisk of Rochester, among others, chose Meetings Up North last year to plan a northern getaway. A repeat winner of this category, Meetings Up North now offers all-inclusive packages for day trips and themed events to make your planning even easier. Watch for their Meetings Up North Showcases held in February, where you can visit with many exhibitors to learn about what they offer and discuss planning needs.
Finalist: Show Me Michigan
>>Golf Resort (tie)
Winner: Garland
You probably know Garland’s signature lodge is the biggest log structure east of the Mississippi, but how about their 72 holes of golf? Did you know the Fountains course features the largest single span log bridge in the world? Or that eagles nest at the 11th hole of the Monarch course? That the Monarch, at 7,188 yards, is one of Michigan’s longest courses, and the aptly named Swampfire is one of the most difficult? Discover it for yourself.
Winner: Tullymore Golf Club
Tullymore, part of St. Ives Resort-which also includes the St. Ives Golf Club-drew immediate accolades after opening in 2001 and was named #1 Best New Upscale Public Course in the U.S. by Golf Digest. In addition to stellar golf compared to Irish courses and summer shuttle service to Soaring Eagle Casino, the beautiful French-Norman-style St. Ives Clubhouse, with 4,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space, is available for your next event. Look for Tullymore’s new clubhouse in 2008.
Finalist: Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center
>>Photographer/Videographer
Winner: Judy Eliyas & Studio 925
Eliyas not only has a master’s degree in fine art photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art, her work is in the permanent display collection of the Cranbrook Art Museum. A specialist in black and white photography, she hand-prints in her dark room for complete control over the images (she also shoots in color). Eliyas’ talent is available for corporate events and professional portraits. “Ninety-nine percent of it is making them feel comfortable and relaxed,” says Eliyas. “It’s that connection between the subject and the camera.”
Finalists: Dale Fisher Galleries of Fine Photography, Elayne Gross Photography
>>Entertainment (Performer or Talent Agency)
Winner: Mel Ball Entertainment Agency
Mel Ball and the Colours have performed all over the U.S. In Michigan, they’ve been a familiar presence and sound on the stage at events, fundraisers and parties like this year’s AutoGlow, for more than two decades. The band has grown to 12 members; the agency side of the business has grown, too. “They kind of bounce off each other,” says Ball, no pun intended. “We’re a full service agency” to clients like the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn, where Ball has been the exclusive agent for 17 years.
Finalists: Gail & Rice, Lorio Ross Sterling Entertainment, Three Men and a Tenor (tie for third)
>>Meeting or Event Space (without a hotel)
Winner: GM Heritage Center
There’s no Web site for the Heritage Center because it’s not open to the public. To get an exclusive look at this amazing tribute to General Motor’s history on the eve of their centennial, you have to book it for your meeting or event (as Automation Alley and Northwood University have), or schedule a tour. The centerpiece of the facility is a 5,000-square-foot stage, where your attendees will be surrounded by 180+ GM vehicles, including one-of-a-kind Cadillacs.
Finalists: The Henry Ford, Michigan Theater
>>Ski Resort
Winner: Crystal Mountain
Happy 50th anniversary, Crystal Mountain! Here’s a gift from our readers, who chose Crystal as best ski resort, another feather in their much-awarded cap. Crystal Mountain has come a long way from it’s beginnings as a community ski area, and now boasts 45 downhill ski runs, nine lifts (including the Crystal Clipper, Northern Michigan’s fastest quad-lift), 40 km of cross-country ski trails, the Crystal Center for meetings and banquets (winner of five Paragons) and 250+ lodging accommodations.
Finalists: Boyne Falls, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
>>Florist
Winner: Bellisario Florist
You can’t call Bellisario Florist to send an arrangement to your mom on Mother’s Day. You can call them to provide stunning florals for your special event, because that’s all they’ve been doing for more than 50 years. Specialists in themed parties, from a single orchid at a place setting to lush, opulent soaring arrangements, Bellisario will transform your event with flowers. They also carry a large inventory of fine place settings to complement.
Finalists: Blossoms, Eastern Floral
>>Destination Marketing Organization (CVB, Chamber, Tourism Office)
Winner: Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
The DMCVB has a bigger job than most, and judging by our voters, they do it well. In addition to promoting Detroit, they are the official agency for conventions, sales, tourism and marketing for the entire tri-county area of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb. Groups they helped score include the MLB All-Star Game in 2005, Super Bowl XL in 2006, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and Grand Prix this year and the 2008 PGA Championship. If they can handle all this, imagine what they can do for your meeting and event.
Finalists: Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau (tie for third), Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (tie for third)
