SPORT_199_Layout 1 10/16/16 2:11 PM Page 199 SPG MICHIGAN GUIDE • 2017 MICHIGAN A State For All Seasons Of Sports SITE INSPECTIONS 9of event-ready destinations and their top venues NORTHERN HOSPITALITY Charm. Approachability. Culture. A Premier Travel Media publication • www.SportsPlanningGuide.com SPORT_200_Layout 1 10/16/16 2:19 PM Page 200 The history of sports in Michigan is rich with world-renowned events such as the Super Bowl and the Ryder Cup to youth tournaments, camps, and activities. The Pure Michigan Sports initiative was founded with the goal of showcasing all that Michigan has to of fer to the world of sports and to bring in and promote sporting events in our state. Michigan has something to offer to every age group, skill-set, and level of competition. Organizations throughout Michigan have partnered with and aided in establishing the Pure Michigan Sports initiative. These organizations represent Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kala- mazoo, Lansing, Livingston County, Marquette, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw/ Bay City/Midland, Traverse City, Holland, and Muskegon. Pure Michigan Sports is always seeking to strengthen current partnerships while, in addition, expanding and developing new partner organizations to advance the sports event market in Michigan. In addition, Pure Michigan Sports has partnered with Travel Michi- gan, an award-winning Pure Michigan brand that is recognized across the nation. This partnership has attracted numerous new sports events to Michigan. The state has much to offer in terms of first-class event venues, including the Macomb Sports and Expo Center , Perani Arena & Event Center, Holland Aquatic Center, Wings Event Center, Kellog Arena, Rynearsum Stadium, Art Van Sports Complex, DeVos Place Convention Center, The Summit Sports and Ice Complex, Ranney Park, Saginaw Township Soccer Complex, Morey Courts Recreation Center, Cobo Center, Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, and Hope Sports Complex. Together, these venues can accommodate a broad spectrum of sports events and help create a diverse sports industry in Michigan. As an added bonus, participants and spectators to the sporting events can enjoy the natural beauty, positive atmosphere and cultural diversity of our great state. World-famous Great Lakes, outdoor recre- ation for all seasons, big cities and quaint small towns all add to the Pure Michigan experience. Along with our top-notch venues, vibrant cities and stunning natural beauty, Michigan offers experienced profes- sionals and event planners to help make all your events a success. We invite you to choose Pure Michigan and experience success for your next sporting event! MI SPORT_201_Layout 1 10/16/16 2:22 PM Page 201 State TOC_Layout 1 10/17/16 7:20 AM Page 202 MICHIGAN 204 Hospitality Captivates Visitors 206 A State for All Seasons ©iStock.com/bgblue 208 Grand Rapids Area 218 Ann Arbor 210 Great Lakes Bay Region 220 Mt. Pleasant 213 Flint & Genesee County 222 Muskegon County 214 Greater Lansing 224 Traverse City SI 217 Holland 202 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_203_Layout 1 10/16/16 2:29 PM Page 203 SPORT_204-207_Layout 1 10/14/16 3:05 AM Page 204 MICHIGAN’S Hospitality Captivates Visitors CHARM. APPROACHABILITY. CULTURE These are often associated with the concept of Southern hospitality. A Great Lakes State While the southern portion of the U.S. is known for having this qual- It’s no secret that Michigan is surrounded by water. Bordering the ity in spades, venture a few hundred miles north and you can also Lower Peninsula are Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and a portion of Lake find it in the lake-lined lands of Michigan. Erie, while the Upper Peninsula is served by Lake Superior and Lake From the waters near the Canadian border to the northern edge Michigan. These large bodies of water create an opportunity for unlimited of Ohio and Indiana, you will cross an array of landscapes: deep aquatic recreation and outdoor adventure. You can enjoy a day of kayak- green forests, pristine beaches, cosmopolitan cities and quaint ing, canoeing, fishing, swimming or sailing. You can bask in the sun on one towns. In between it all are hidden—and not so hidden—treasures of Michigan’s more than 100 public beaches, explore its dozens of light- that lend to Michigan’s hospitable nature, artistic power and dis- houses or dive to the depths of the lakes to see century-old shipwrecks. tinctive experiences. Located “Up North” in the northwest corner of Michigan’s Lower Penin- 204 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_204-207_Layout 1 10/14/16 3:15 AM Page 205 A Hops and Grape State Beer is almost synonymous with Colorado, while wine is still heavily as- sociated with California. Michigan is giving both states a run for their libations. In case you didn’t hear, Michigan is home to Beer City, USA, also known as Grand Rapids. It has been named Best Beer Town and Best Beer Scene by USA Today readers. To back up the acclaim is a vast collection of craft breweries, including Founders Brewing Co, one of the top 20 largest craft breweries in the country; Grand Rapids Brewing Co.; HopCat; Brewery; and Vivant. Grand Rapids has over 40 breweries, more per square mile than almost anywhere else on earth. Mt. Pleasant has quickly become a top destination in the state for craft beer, mostly because the region offers a great environment for growing hops and producing delicious brews. Mt. Pleasant is home to four brew- eries—Cranker’s Brewery, Hunter’s Ale House, Mountain Town Brewing Company, and Mountain Town Station Brewing—and more are on deck. Holland boasts both craft beer and wine. New Holland Brewery has been creating hoppy goodness since 1997 and has expanded its distribu- tion to 31 states. Just down the road from New Holland is Warner Vine- yards tasting room, one of many located in western Michigan. Founded in 1938 in Paw Paw, Warner is one of Michigan’s oldest wineries. Flint and Genesee feature a wine and beer trail that will introduce visi- tors to creative craft beers and hard ciders, as well as oak barrel-aged, high-quality wines. Lansing offers a range of wineries where you can tour and enjoy free tastings. The city is also home to many craft breweries. An Artistic State Michigan has been fostering artistic talent for decades. It is home to painters, musicians, writers, photographers and dancers who are eager to showcase their talents in a place that highly encourages it. If you’re a big art buff, Ann Arbor is the place to visit. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of the largest outdoor art fairs in the nation. In July the city is transformed into an open-air gallery. Made up of four different fairs, the art fair is a loved summer tradition where locals and visitors can experience original works of art, street performances and sidewalk sales. Flint is home to the second largest art gallery in Michigan, the Flint In- stitute of Art (FIA). FIA is renowned for its collection because of the depth of its European and American paintings and sculptures. FIA is also one of the largest museum art schools in the nation, and it is dedicated to mak- ing art accessible and approachable to everyone. Due to the many artists, musicians and craftsmen that have settled in Traverse City, there is an unbelievable number of quaint art galleries and boutique shops where you can pick up some locally made trinkets and works of art. A simple stroll down the streets will reveal distinctive treasures Michigan’s lakes provide ideal settings for laid-back vacations. that could become mementos of your visit. Pictured here is Vaughn Lake in Alcona County, northeastern Michigan. ArtPrize, in Grand Rapids, is arguably one of the most-attended public art events in the world. Started nearly eight years ago as an experiment, Art- sula, Traverse City has gained a reputation for its gorgeous scenery, clear Prize is a completely different kind of art event. For 19 days each fall, down- lakes and golden beaches. It’s become an escape for urbanites seeking re- town Grand Rapids becomes an art display where anyone can view the lief from congested cities. pieces, discuss them with their peers and focus on the importance of art. Over in Flint and Genesee County , you will find Michigan’ s largest county park system with 11,000 acres of lakes, wetlands and woods. The Welcoming Communities system is made up of 21 parks, where visitors can take part in a wonder- What really adds to Michigan’s charm are its small towns and commu- ful outdoor retreat any season of the year. nities. These cities are filled with a simplicity and spirit that evoke a sense Up in the Great Lakes Bay Region is the Shiawassee National Wildlife of comfort and compassion. Residents welcome guests whole-heartedly, Refuge. You can take a boat tour of this 9,800-acre park filled with marsh, eager to share their favorite museums, attractions, restaurants and more. grasslands and hardwood forest. The refuge specializes in ecotourism and When you think of Southern hospitality, don’t limit the possibilities to has been designated as a sanctuary for migratory birds. If you enjoy bird geographically suggestive spots on the map. Charm, warmth and culture watching, this is the perfect place to spot some waterfowl from various can be found throughout Michigan. An infinite collection of experiences that parts of North America. will leave a lasting impression and beckon you back time and again. SPG SportsPlanningGuide.com Sports Planning Guide 205 SPORT_204-207_Layout 1 10/14/16 3:23 AM Page 206 A STATE FOR ALL SEASONS YEAR-ROUND SPORTS ACTION IN MICHIGAN The waterways of Michigan are custom-made for outdoor activity, but the state also offers outstanding facilities for indoor sports.