MBN On the Road | Choose Lansing 2026 Annual Meeting Highlights from This Year's Event

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, MBN was on the road to the Crowne Plaza of Lansing. LANSING, MICH. – Reports state of local hospitality industry and glimpse into 2026 initiatives WHO: Choose Lansing® staff, Board of Directors, as well as area hospitality industry staff and other regional community leaders. WHAT: Executive leadership of Choose Lansing® will share how the Greater Lansing hospitality and tourism industry welcomes 6.7 million visitors each year, generating $732 million dollars in economic impact for the region. It will also celebrate the CTA Star of the Year and share a look into 2026 initiatives. WHERE: Crowne Plaza Lansing 925 S Creyts Rd. Lansing, MI 48917 WHEN: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ### » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ LANSING, MICH. – March 3, 2025– Choose Lansing® held its annual meeting March 3 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing, sharing an update on the region’s tourism industry, local visitor economic impact and upcoming initiatives. The event highlighted a record year for hotel room nights, recognized the CTA Star of the Year and previewed priorities for 2026. In 2025, Greater Lansing recorded 1,137,836 hotel rooms consumed, with an occupancy rate of 55.4%. The region’s hospitality and tourism industry supports approximately 9,500 local jobs, welcomes 6.7 million visitors annually, and generates an estimated $732 million in economic impact. “The momentum we’re seeing reflects a strong partnership between our hospitality businesses, community organizations and event planners,” said Julie Pingston, President and CEO of Choose Lansing. “Our role is to connect people to this destination, bringing visitors to Greater Lansing while supporting the businesses and workforce that make the experience memorable.” To help ensure positive visitor experiences, Choose Lansing continues to lead the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) program, which enters its 16th year in 2026. During its meeting, Choose Lansing recognized 532 active CTAs and honored Cheryl Ward, CTA and owner of Time To Travel, as the CTA Star of the Year. “As we look ahead to 2026, we will continue serving as a resource for meeting and event planners while supporting our local hospitality partners and advancing initiatives that make Greater Lansing welcoming and accessible for all visitors,” Pingston said. Full details and the 2025 Choose Lansing® annual report are available at lansing.org/about-us/annual-report-and-meeting/ About Choose Lansing® The vision of Choose Lansing® is to inspire everyone to celebrate and love Greater Lansing as much as we do! Which goes hand in hand with our mission, to positively impact our community’s quality of life by developing the region as a visitor destination. Learn more at www.lansing.org.