From Conventions to Family Reunions, Detroit is the Host of Choice

Undergoing the country's largest urban redevelopment boom, Detroit serves as an exciting and unique destination for groups of all sizes. Redevelopment efforts encompass more than $20 billion in new development under way. The international destination, located only one mile from Windsor, Canada, is also accessible by way of a 90-minute flight for 60 percent of the nation's population.

Meeting attendees are welcomed at the Detroit Metro Airport, featuring a new two-million-square-foot terminal where international and domestic gates are located in one facility. Here, the brand new 404-room Westin Hotel, connected to the terminal, welcomes guests with superior amenities. In addition, the airport also offers numerous shops, restaurants and services, as well as 90 E-ticket kiosks and parking within walking distance of the new terminal. Northwest Airlines offers discounted airfare for conferences and conventions meeting in Detroit.

Improvements at Detroit Metro Airport have apparently made their impression: In a 2002 J.D. Power & Associates survey of more than 10,000 airline passengers from around the world, Metro Airport tied for second place among the U.S. airports and fourth place internationally.

When it comes to meeting space, metro Detroit is filled with large, state-of-the-art facilities that provide the perfect setting for conference needs. The region's largest convention facility, Cobo Center is located in the heart of downtown Detroit. The full service, 2.4-million-square-foot convention center features five exhibit halls, 80 meeting rooms, and eight banquet rooms with spectacular river views. Or consider the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi which offers 320,000 square feet of exposition and banquet facilities. Other metro Detroit meeting venues include Ford Field, Joe Louis Arena, and the Palace of Auburn Hills. Metro Detroit also has the ideal meeting facility - from the traditional hotel to a unique venue at a local attraction. Detroit's convention and meeting spaces are conveniently located near hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment venues.

And when it comes to entertainment, Detroit's four casinos are located within five miles of each other. MGM Grand Casinos, MotorCity Casino, Greektown Casino and Casino Windsor all feature nonstop gaming action. Both MGM Grand and MotorCity Casino have recently opened luxury hotels with meeting space, with Greektown Casino and the Westin Book Cadillac to follow with luxury accommodations and meeting space in 2008. In all, the City of Detroit offers more than 35,000 competitively priced hotel rooms.

Detroit is also home to world-class attractions, entertainment and dining. The city was recently named by AmericanStyle readers as one of the top 25 arts destinations in the nation. Among the top 10 museums in the country, the Detroit Institute of Arts recently completed an exciting and ambitious renovation of its facility, resulting in exciting spaces to view the museum's more than 100 galleries of art. The Detroit Theater District is the nation's second largest in terms of seats and features most major musicals and theatrical performances.

Of course, Detroit is a sports town as well. It's a city with passionate fans and exciting teams. From the Tigers at Comerica Park to the Red Wings to the Pistons at the Palace at Auburn Hills, the City of Detroit knows how to put on a good show. In addition to championship teams, the city also hosts championship events such as Super Bowl XL in 2006, the MLB All-Star Game in 2005, the 2004 Ryder Cup and the 2003 AAU Junior Olympic Games.

While your convention may be made up more of uncles and aunts rather than sales managers, smaller groups such as family reunions will discover many of the same amenities available to larger groups make Detroit an ideal choice for families. From luxury to economic, families appreciate the choices in accommodations, dining, entertainment available in Detroit. Family-friendly attractions range from the Detroit Zoo, Comerica Park, Ford Field, and The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, to name a few. From music lovers to gear heads to African-American history, Detroit has something for everyone.