Praise for Kalamazoo

The name “Kalamazoo” rolls off your tongue easily, doesn’t it? This mid-sized Michigan city is known for several hit songs, from the Glenn Miller Band’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 meaning “boiling water” and was named after the legend of a young Potawatomi man named Fleet Ford, who must have come from A settlement ran down the road to “win” his bride. Before a pot of water comes to a boil, the Kalamazoo River returns.

As a host city, Kalamazoo is known for its accessibility, relatively low costs, and vibrant culture, making it a top party destination. “We obtained data comparing Kalamazoo to other markets, and it consistently ranks as a more affordable place to live and relax,” said Jane Ghosh, president and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo. She noted that hotel prices are very reasonable and many attractions, including some live performances, are low-cost or even free.

Kalamazoo has deep roots as a convenient destination. “The first curb cut in the United States was right here for veterans coming back from World War II (in 1945),” Ghosh said. Prior to this, most street curbs in the United States did not have graded ramps to the street, but rather had solid steep slopes that made it difficult for people with physical disabilities or limited mobility to navigate. She added that this spirit of convenience extends to nearly everything about the city, including its location in 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 located on a major bend of the Kalamazoo River, with smaller tributaries and lakes, and is very scenic. Located at the intersection of Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 131, it is a central location for most Michiganders and is approximately 2 1/2 hours from Chicago, IL. “We’re very, very accessible,” Ghosh said.

Plenty of options
In addition to convenience, Kalamazoo offers meeting planners and their attendees an impressive array of traditional and non-traditional meeting spaces, top restaurants, and unforgettable events. At the heart of the city is the bustling city center, home to three top hotels with conference facilities. The recently renovated Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center updated 340 guest rooms, lobby, social areas, and meeting and event spaces. A single space can accommodate gatherings of up to 1,280 guests, and the 50,000 square feet of flexible space can be configured as 26 meeting rooms as needed.

“We really host a variety of conferences, from statewide, regional and national association meetings to animation and gaming conventions,” said Craig Davies, general manager of the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. “We host corporate retreats, training days, sports teams, marriage retreats and more.” The hotel also won the Renovation of the Year Award from Choice Hotels International in May.

Neighboring hotels include the new Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown, which has 2,100 square feet of meeting space and 114 guest rooms. The Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo Downtown also offers 2,100 square feet of meeting and event space and 106 guest rooms. With a mix of nearby accommodations, the city can easily host events for 600 to 700 attendees in the city center. The newly renovated Delta Hotels Conference Center in Kalamazoo is just a short drive from downtown. The hotel has 182 guest rooms, 42,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that can accommodate up to 800 people, and a customizable catering menu.

Kalamazoo has an array of non-traditional venues that bring creativity and fun to any gathering. When the Pure Michigan Governor’s Tourism Conference was held in Kalamazoo in April, planners designated a walking trail from the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center to a welcome reception at Bell’s Brewery. Attendees enjoyed an appetizer buffet and the opportunity to sample The Governor’s Whitbier, a Belgian-style Whitbier created especially for the occasion and named after Governor Gretchen Whitmer Named after. “If you or any of your attendees like to drink beer, they’ll know about Bell’s Beer,” Ghosh said. The brewery has a back room often used for performances, and its beer garden is one of the most famous in Michigan, making it the perfect setting for informal meetings or post-meeting receptions.

For a unique experience, the Aviation Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum is a popular venue choice. “This is an extraordinary place,” Ghosh said. “(It has) the largest indoor mural in North America, and you’re surrounded by airplanes.” Groups can hold meetings there and take a break by touring the facility’s hands-on exhibits, said Holly Lee, group and events manager at Sky Zoo. Team-building activities can be conducted around museum themes, including aviation and space exploration. The hotel can arrange private tours as well as full dinners. “Of course, we put people on planes all the time,” Lee said. “We like to have people in the cockpit.”

The Gilmore Automobile Museum is another popular gathering spot. The largest automobile museum in North America is located near Gull Lake. It displays about 400 vintage cars and has a total collection of more than 500 cars, making visitors feel like they have traveled back in time. The oldest car on display is an 1899 Locomobile steam car. The museum offers a variety of meeting and event spaces, including multiple ballrooms and historic outdoor campus spaces, accommodating groups of all sizes and more.

Kalamazoo-based Millennium Restaurant Group provides catering services at the Air Zoo and Gilmore Car Museum and operates several outstanding restaurants throughout the city.

“Cove Lakeside Bistro, located just south of the Sky Zoo, is one of my favorite restaurants,” Ghosh said. “It has waterfront restaurants, and every time I go there, I think, in most communities, you have to spend a fortune or book months in advance to enjoy a place like this.”

Another thousand-year-old gem is the Fieldstone Grill, overlooking acres of wetlands in nearby Portage. Through floor-to-ceiling windows, diners can enjoy the stunning views while savoring their delicacies. Martell’s is another millennial restaurant that offers an outdoor patio dining experience overlooking a small lake in the Parkview Hills neighborhood.

Other dining options include Principle Food & Drink, a downtown casual spot that blends creativity with craft cocktails and contemporary cuisine, and Brick and Brine, which has three private event spaces perfect for toasting the group. Crafted Copper recently opened downtown and features a wall of artesian taps, craft cocktails, duck pin bowling and small plates bar fare. Meeting planners can also reserve space.

There’s a lot to do in Kalamazoo besides dining. Three immersive experiences kick off the 2023 Michigan Association of Association Executives annual conference in Kalamazoo. Attendees can 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 and healthy snacks from Juicy Leaf; or a color and cocktail painting class at the Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo City Center.

In addition to these fun options, planners can book group events at venues like Kalamazoo Glass Arts, which lets attendees try glass, and Kalamazoo Candle Co. Blown, Kalamazoo Candle Company offers homemade candle classes. The downtown Combat Readiness Arts Center features classes in paintball and tactile art forms such as blacksmithing and metalworking.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the city’s many parks and trails, such as Ramona Park’s trails and beaches. Bronson Park is a beautiful, flower-filled downtown oasis perfect for a lunchtime stroll. For those looking for a long-term adventure, the Carr-Haven Trail offers a scenic bike route from Kalamazoo to South Haven, where participants can enjoy the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan. At the Kalamazoo Nature Center, the Timber Barn is a stunning event space that can accommodate up to 160 people. Although only open at certain times of the year, the barn is surrounded by walking trails for attendees to enjoy. The restored antique windmill is one of the center’s other highlights.

Kalamazoo is also a vibrant arts scene, hosting more than 1,500 live performances throughout the year. From music and theater to dance, the city’s many performances add plenty of entertainment to planners’ itineraries. The city also has many free outdoor music performances during the summer, Ghosh said. “On Fridays we have a live lunch show in Bronson Park with food trucks and bands, and on Wednesday nights we have Beats on Bates with live music and a social area where you can wander in with a drink in hand,” she explain. Although they move indoors once summer ends, Kalamazoo hosts free and low-cost arts events year-round; the Greater Kalamazoo Arts Council helps the city organize many of these events, ensuring there’s always something going on no matter the season occur.

Kalamazoo is also known for its colleges, including Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, all of which offer rental space to meeting planners. Its college town vibe adds to affordability and walkability, making Kalamazoo a fantastic host city.

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