MICHIGAN
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Kalamazoo’s answer to all things aviation — the Air Zoo — has opened a 50,000-square-foot expansion packed with new exhibits, aircraft and space artifacts.
Among the new exhibits is Space: Dare to Dream, a tribute to dreamers who are in search of answers to man’s existence.
“The Air Zoo now has even more rich and historic experiences for guests to enjoy,” said Bob Ellis, Air Zoo president and CEO. “While walking through Space: Dare to Dream, visitors will be able to explore Galileo’s study, learn about ancient cosmology and experience the rumbling liftoff of Saturn V as it leaves Earth.”
An exhibit about women in aviation has been added, as well as more interactive exhibits, an archive and an expanded library. World War II aircraft ranging from early trainers to gliders and attack aircraft are also on display.
A Smithsonian Institution affiliate, Air Zoo has a plethora of banquet facilities. Among them is an exhibit hall for 600 to 1,500, where guests can try their hand at flying using full-motion flight simulators. The Jim McDivitt Classroom, named for an astronaut from Kalamazoo, is outfitted with a smart board and other high-tech features to take meetings “to infinity and beyond.”
269-382-6555
www.airzoo.org
HARRIS, Mich. — Demand for more meeting space from corporate groups led Michigan’s Island Resort and Casino to open a $2 million conference center in April. The expansion nearly doubled meeting space at the Upper Peninsula resort near Escanaba.
The 274-room property also added a covered patio with a bar, flat-screen televisions and food service.
906-466-2941
www.islandresortandcasino.com
MUSKEGON — The Shoreline Inn and Conference Center on Muskegon Lake has become part of the Ascend Collection, a new franchise of Choice Hotels International. Being part of the chain gives Shoreline access to Choice’s worldwide reservations and customer rewards systems.
The Shoreline Inn has been an independent hotel since it was opened in 2002. Current owner Jon Rooks of Grand Rapids purchased it in 2009, upgrading the facility and substantially improving its occupancy and financial performance.
Last summer, after opening a 4,500-square-foot conference center and a new Lake House restaurant, management began to seek a chain hotel affiliation.
Although it is a 10-story, 140-room hotel with marina, the Shoreline has the feel of a bed-and-breakfast inn, making it a good fit for Ascend, a group of about 60 hotels, mainly in the United States, that have what the company calls “local flair.” That can range from historical significance to cutting-edge, boutique amenities. The Shoreline Inn is the first Ascend Collection hotel in Michigan.
866-727-8483
www.shorelineinn.com
MISSOURI
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.–The Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center broke ground this fall for an expansion of its convention center. The projecd should be finished by May 31.
The 13,000-square-foot expansion will consist of three meeting rooms, each for up to 250 guests. An airwall system will allow the rooms to open into the current convention center, providing room for 1,300 to 1,800 guests.
At the same time, the current convention center will be renovated with a tropical decor.
“It will be absolutely gorgeous and offer everything a meeting or group planner expects in a first-class facility,” Missy Handyside, general manager, said.
Demand from current client base as well as requests from meeting planners that want to book events at the Ramada led to the expansion.
417‐522‐7710
www.springfieldoasis.com
OHIO
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Kalahari Resort Sandusky stakes several claims: the Nation’s largest indoor waterpark, Ohio’s largest convention center resort, and home of Ohio’s largest gaming room.
Now, a $22 million expansion has made it even more impresssive — an under-one-roof complex with a 215,000-square-foot convention center and 884 guest rooms.
In late 2011, the resort opened a 120,000-square -foot addition to its convention center.
Included is a 38,000-square-foot ballroom and expo center, a 12,000-square-foot ballroom, 14 meeting rooms, a 4,000-square-foot outdoor plaza connected to an indoor ballroom and 30,000 square feet of prefunction space.
With this most recent project, the resort will have spent more than $175 million in expansions since opening in 2005. Previously, the resort could handle groups of 2,200. Now, it will book groups more than twice that size.
877-525-2427
www.kalahariresorts.com
