Electives
Monday, June 5, 2023
On Monday, attendees will have the opportunity to get out and experience Grand Rapids to learn more about what the area offers.
Beer Culture in Grand Rapids - Founders Brewery: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Bus departs Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center (same location as morning dropoff) to Founders Brewing Co. At 3:30, bus will depart for return to J.W. Marriott for check-in. No charge to attend.
This tasting experience includes an in depth guided tasting of three Founders beers. Grand Rapids loves their beer and wants to share it with us. The tasting is presented by one of Founders education team members taking a deep look at the ingredients, tastes, smells and nuances of the beers. The experience hits on all notes and is a great way to train yourself up on not just Founders beer but the world of beer in general. Bring your questions and tastebuds; this will be a fun time! For over 25 years Founders Brewing Company’s dedication to the state of Michigan has shown through in everything they do. They are devoted to using freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion to provide you with the highest quality beer possible. Founders Brewing Company is Born & Brewed in Michigan since 1997.
Plaza Roosevelt Development Tour: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Bus departs Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center (same location as morning dropoff) to Plaza Roosevelt. At 3:30, bus will depart for return to J.W. Marriott for check-in. No charge to attend.
Plaza Roosevelt is a neighborhood-driven mixed-use development to enhance health, education, and economic opportunities for the Roosevelt Park neighborhood. The project sought input from residents, community leaders, arts organizations, health care providers, education institutions and housing providers to develop a site plan that reflects the community’s greater goals. Partners in Plaza Roosevelt include neighbors, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Ferris State University, Dwelling Place, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Trinity Health and the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association. The development provides new GRPS dual-immersion high school, affordable housing, expanded health care facilities, arts and cultural programming, child care, community gathering space, after-school programming and other services. Tour hosts include: Bev Thiel , Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Ivor Thomas, Community Development Director Habitat for Humanity, Mark Ogland-Hand, Senior Development Associate for Habitat for Humanity, Amy Brower, Executive Director Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, and Chris Bennett, Director of Housing and Community Development for The Dwelling Place.
Guided City Tour: History, Culture & Architecture: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Bus departs Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center (same location as morning drop-off). At 3:30, bus will return to J.W. Marriott for check-in. No charge to attend.
Grand Rapids’ cultural amenities, attractive downtown and diverse economy were the impetus for this year’s Leadership Visit to the area. Get acquainted with Grand Rapids on this city tour that includes a mix of history culture and architecture. Learn what makes this city so unique with stories from its past & present. See iconic sights and learn about the famous figures that have put Grand Rapids on the map while we learn of the social groups and various cultures that helped shape the city. Throughout this tour, you will quickly see why Grand Rapids is a city with a fast-growing economy full of authentic and unforgettable experiences.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Attendees will get to know and experience Grand Rapids through lunch and learns and various tours throughout the city. You will explore such areas as the medical field, the tech industry, housing, tourism and the arts.
DE&I Lunch & Learn: (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
Cost:
Meet Tyrone Tyra in lobby of the J.W. Marriott to walk to lunch.
Cost Register Here
Restaurant, Description
How Grand Rapids is Dealing with Housing Affordability Challenges - Interactive Lunch & Learn: (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
Meet Andi Johnson in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 11:45 to walk to lunch at Sundance Grill & Bar (151 Ottawa Avenue Northwest) Cost: $25
Like Lexington, housing availability and affordability is a top challenge facing the West Michigan region. Regulatory barriers, costs of construction, labor challenges, growth issues, and more are all impacting the market and driving public and private sector to engage in creative ways to find solutions. Join Brooke Oosterman, Director of Housing Next and Travis Alden Senior Director, Community Development at The Right Place for this conversation. With a nearly 35,000 unit shortage over the next 5 years just in and around the City of Grand Rapids the two organizations have come together to accelerate efforts and have recently been awarded designation from the State of Michigan under it’s first Statewide Housing Plan to expand collaborative efforts into 13 counties in West Michigan. Housing Next and The Right Place have partnered to ensure their communities are focused on transformational place-based development projects while ensuring there is enough housing at all price points to create greater economic stability in the region, better health, and access to education. Sessions like this Learn at Lunch allow for the sharing of best practices and new ideas in a small group setting and more networking opportunities.
Engagement Lunch at Founders Brewery: (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
Meet Amy Stout in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 11:45 for bus departure. Cost
Great food, great beer, great company and great conversation! Over lunch, engage with your fellow Leadership Visit attendees to get to know each other while you continue the conversations focused on what you’ve observed about Grand Rapids’ story as well as your thoughts about Lexington’s current story. These conversations will tie into our closing session, exploring Lexington’s future story. Facilitators: Vitale Hardin, Amy Stout.
Frederick Meijer Gardens: (12:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 11:45 for bus departure. Cost: $45 (includes lunch and tram tour)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 158-acre botanical garden, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park located in Grand Rapids. Experience masterpieces of art and nature during this guided tram tour. Highlights include the Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, the Lena Meijer Children's Garden, Michigan's Farm Garden and more.
Gerald Ford Presidential Museum: (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 1:15 to walk with group to museum. This will be a private guided tour. Cost: $10
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States and his wife Betty Ford. Exhibits on President Ford's life and career as President of the United States including candid photographs of Ford interacting with his family and colleagues, a full-scale replica of the Oval Office furnished as it was during Ford's presidency and the Ford Cabinet Room. In addition to the permanent exhibits, a succession of temporary exhibits draws upon the rich holdings of the entire presidential libraries system, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, and others.
Innovation Center at Medical Mile: (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 1:45 for bus departure.
The 200,000-square-foot Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building opened in late 2021 and is located next to the MSU Grand Rapids Research Center on Medical Mile. Collaboration among tenants is bringing new discoveries to the market. Guided by MSU and partners, this tour will show participants a true example of the partnerships that are driving technology and innovation making Grand Rapids a leader in medical advancements.
Downtown Development Tour: (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet Allen McDaniel in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 1:45 p.m. Guided walking tour.
Join Tim Kelly, President & CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc and Allen McDaniel, Executive Director of the Downtown Lexington Partnership for this walking tour and discussion of our shared goal of supporting the urban core of our communities. Grand Rapids is centered in a safe, clean compact downtown that includes more than 200 restaurants, shops, performance venues, arts and cultural sites. Downtowns are the heart of our communities. Great cities have great downtowns! A thriving downtown means successful businesses, engaged citizens, diverse cultural events, broad housing options, and robust employment opportunities. Enjoy this walking tour while learning of key successes and challenges, and upcoming development plans as we learn of new ways to enhance and grow our downtown core.
On Monday, attendees will have the opportunity to get out and experience Grand Rapids to learn more about what the area offers.
Beer Culture in Grand Rapids - Founders Brewery: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Bus departs Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center (same location as morning dropoff) to Founders Brewing Co. At 3:30, bus will depart for return to J.W. Marriott for check-in. No charge to attend.
This tasting experience includes an in depth guided tasting of three Founders beers. Grand Rapids loves their beer and wants to share it with us. The tasting is presented by one of Founders education team members taking a deep look at the ingredients, tastes, smells and nuances of the beers. The experience hits on all notes and is a great way to train yourself up on not just Founders beer but the world of beer in general. Bring your questions and tastebuds; this will be a fun time! For over 25 years Founders Brewing Company’s dedication to the state of Michigan has shown through in everything they do. They are devoted to using freshwater resources in a sustainable fashion to provide you with the highest quality beer possible. Founders Brewing Company is Born & Brewed in Michigan since 1997.
Plaza Roosevelt Development Tour: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Bus departs Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center (same location as morning dropoff) to Plaza Roosevelt. At 3:30, bus will depart for return to J.W. Marriott for check-in. No charge to attend.
Plaza Roosevelt is a neighborhood-driven mixed-use development to enhance health, education, and economic opportunities for the Roosevelt Park neighborhood. The project sought input from residents, community leaders, arts organizations, health care providers, education institutions and housing providers to develop a site plan that reflects the community’s greater goals. Partners in Plaza Roosevelt include neighbors, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Ferris State University, Dwelling Place, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Trinity Health and the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association. The development provides new GRPS dual-immersion high school, affordable housing, expanded health care facilities, arts and cultural programming, child care, community gathering space, after-school programming and other services. Tour hosts include: Bev Thiel , Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Ivor Thomas, Community Development Director Habitat for Humanity, Mark Ogland-Hand, Senior Development Associate for Habitat for Humanity, Amy Brower, Executive Director Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, and Chris Bennett, Director of Housing and Community Development for The Dwelling Place.
Guided City Tour: History, Culture & Architecture: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Bus departs Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center (same location as morning drop-off). At 3:30, bus will return to J.W. Marriott for check-in. No charge to attend.
Grand Rapids’ cultural amenities, attractive downtown and diverse economy were the impetus for this year’s Leadership Visit to the area. Get acquainted with Grand Rapids on this city tour that includes a mix of history culture and architecture. Learn what makes this city so unique with stories from its past & present. See iconic sights and learn about the famous figures that have put Grand Rapids on the map while we learn of the social groups and various cultures that helped shape the city. Throughout this tour, you will quickly see why Grand Rapids is a city with a fast-growing economy full of authentic and unforgettable experiences.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Attendees will get to know and experience Grand Rapids through lunch and learns and various tours throughout the city. You will explore such areas as the medical field, the tech industry, housing, tourism and the arts.
DE&I Lunch & Learn: (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
Cost:
Meet Tyrone Tyra in lobby of the J.W. Marriott to walk to lunch.
Cost Register Here
Restaurant, Description
How Grand Rapids is Dealing with Housing Affordability Challenges - Interactive Lunch & Learn: (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
Meet Andi Johnson in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 11:45 to walk to lunch at Sundance Grill & Bar (151 Ottawa Avenue Northwest) Cost: $25
Like Lexington, housing availability and affordability is a top challenge facing the West Michigan region. Regulatory barriers, costs of construction, labor challenges, growth issues, and more are all impacting the market and driving public and private sector to engage in creative ways to find solutions. Join Brooke Oosterman, Director of Housing Next and Travis Alden Senior Director, Community Development at The Right Place for this conversation. With a nearly 35,000 unit shortage over the next 5 years just in and around the City of Grand Rapids the two organizations have come together to accelerate efforts and have recently been awarded designation from the State of Michigan under it’s first Statewide Housing Plan to expand collaborative efforts into 13 counties in West Michigan. Housing Next and The Right Place have partnered to ensure their communities are focused on transformational place-based development projects while ensuring there is enough housing at all price points to create greater economic stability in the region, better health, and access to education. Sessions like this Learn at Lunch allow for the sharing of best practices and new ideas in a small group setting and more networking opportunities.
Engagement Lunch at Founders Brewery: (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
Meet Amy Stout in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 11:45 for bus departure. Cost
Great food, great beer, great company and great conversation! Over lunch, engage with your fellow Leadership Visit attendees to get to know each other while you continue the conversations focused on what you’ve observed about Grand Rapids’ story as well as your thoughts about Lexington’s current story. These conversations will tie into our closing session, exploring Lexington’s future story. Facilitators: Vitale Hardin, Amy Stout.
Frederick Meijer Gardens: (12:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 11:45 for bus departure. Cost: $45 (includes lunch and tram tour)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 158-acre botanical garden, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park located in Grand Rapids. Experience masterpieces of art and nature during this guided tram tour. Highlights include the Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, the Lena Meijer Children's Garden, Michigan's Farm Garden and more.
Gerald Ford Presidential Museum: (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 1:15 to walk with group to museum. This will be a private guided tour. Cost: $10
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States and his wife Betty Ford. Exhibits on President Ford's life and career as President of the United States including candid photographs of Ford interacting with his family and colleagues, a full-scale replica of the Oval Office furnished as it was during Ford's presidency and the Ford Cabinet Room. In addition to the permanent exhibits, a succession of temporary exhibits draws upon the rich holdings of the entire presidential libraries system, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, and others.
Innovation Center at Medical Mile: (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 1:45 for bus departure.
The 200,000-square-foot Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building opened in late 2021 and is located next to the MSU Grand Rapids Research Center on Medical Mile. Collaboration among tenants is bringing new discoveries to the market. Guided by MSU and partners, this tour will show participants a true example of the partnerships that are driving technology and innovation making Grand Rapids a leader in medical advancements.
Downtown Development Tour: (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Meet Allen McDaniel in the J.W. Marriott lobby at 1:45 p.m. Guided walking tour.
Join Tim Kelly, President & CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc and Allen McDaniel, Executive Director of the Downtown Lexington Partnership for this walking tour and discussion of our shared goal of supporting the urban core of our communities. Grand Rapids is centered in a safe, clean compact downtown that includes more than 200 restaurants, shops, performance venues, arts and cultural sites. Downtowns are the heart of our communities. Great cities have great downtowns! A thriving downtown means successful businesses, engaged citizens, diverse cultural events, broad housing options, and robust employment opportunities. Enjoy this walking tour while learning of key successes and challenges, and upcoming development plans as we learn of new ways to enhance and grow our downtown core.