KALAMAZOO, MI – Discover Kalamazoo hosted their annual meeting on Wednesday evening, December 11th, at Bell’s Eccentric Café with over 150 community members from around the County involved in the travel and tourism industry. One of the highlights of the meeting is the presentation of the annual Partnership Awards which recognize the accomplishments of individuals, events, and organizations that have had a positive impact on the regional hospitality/tourism industry.
Recipients of the 2024 Discover Kalamazoo Partnership Awards are:
- Delta Hotels Kalamazoo Conference Center
- Downtown Kalamazoo Shops
- Kelly Linton and Disability Network Southwest Michigan
- Next Level Sports Center
Interactions with front line workers in the hospitality industry often impact the overall experience of visitors and a special award was established with the Greater Kalamazoo Lodging Association (GKLA) to acknowledge an individual worker. This year’s GKLA award recipient was Ken Hemminger, the full-time night auditor at Staybridge Suites, who was recognized for his dedication, reliability, and attention to detail for guests over his six-year tenure with the hotel.
Following the awards, Discover Kalamazoo Board Chair, Troy Thrash, and President and CEO, Jane Ghosh, led an interactive quiz that featured different community stakeholders asking the questions and providing insights into Kalamazoo County’s tourism over the past year. Kalamazoo County Administrator and Controller, Kevin Catlin, asked a question that identified 2023 as another record year for visitor spending in Kalamazoo County which grew 9.2% to reach an all time high of almost $750 million dollars. Portage City Manager, Pat McGinnis shared in his question that there are many meetings and events that Kalamazoo County has been fortunate to host due to the connections of partners in the room. Specific mention was made of the Michigan Meetings Association, Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, Michigan Community College Association, and the Michigan Association of Mayors Meeting that he and Mayor Patricia Randall helped to secure.
The approach to destination services for visitors was also discussed, and Reed Benton, Director of Operations and Destination Services for Discover Kalamazoo, shared information on a new initiative for 2025. A destination app and multiple digital kiosks, powered by the content on Discover Kalamazoo’s website, will be available by the end of January, ensuring up-to-date, accessible information for visitors to the area. Benton also shared statistics on the early success of the new visitors center at Western Michigan University and announced a future collaboration with The Spirit of Kalamazoo.
The business portion of the meeting included nominations and elections for both the Discover Kalamazoo Board of Directors and Advisory Council. The slate for the 2025 Discover Kalamazoo Board of Directors was approved with the following candidates:
- Jeff Breneman, Chair, Western Michigan University
- Craig Davies, Vice Chair, Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites
- Amy Luce, Secretary, Kalamazoo House Bed and Breakfast
- Dave Beysiegel, Treasurer, Greenleaf Hospitality Group
- Troy Thrash, Past Chair, Air Zoo
- Kathleen Hoyle, Portage Parks and Recreation
- Clarence Lloyd, The Chamber at Southwest Michigan First
- Rich MacDonald, Hinman Company
- Sterling Riethman, Bell’s Brewery
- Megan Zielke, Vintage in the Zoo
- Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Appointment
- Jane Ghosh, Discover Kalamazoo
Discover Kalamazoo’s Advisory Council has 19 members continuing their current terms of service:
- Craig Davies, Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites
- Deb Droppers, Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center
- Cherri Emery, Cherri’s Chocol’art
- Ken Fischang, Gilmore Car Museum
- Michelle Hargrave, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
- Kathleen Hoyle, Portage Parks and Recreation
- Donte Hudson, The Kalamazoo Promise
- Matt Kakabeeke, Kalamazoo Optimists Hockey Association
- Tracey Lawie, Miller Auditorium
- Clarence Lloyd, The Chamber at Southwest Michigan First
- Amy Luce, Kalamazoo House Bed and Breakfast
- Kristie May, NowKalamazoo
- Lisa Panich, Kalamazoo Nature Center
- Bobby Patel, multiple hotel properties including Best Western Plus and Comfort Inn
- Sterling Riethman, Bell’s Brewery
- Ida Salas, La Familia
- Justin Wendzel, Gull Meadow Farms
- Craig Williams, Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport
- Megan Zielke, Vintage in the Zoo
Existing members continuing service with a new term expiring December 31, 2027:
- Jeff Breneman, Western Michigan University
- Stephanie Hinman, Kalamazoo State Theatre
- Danielle Lewis, Black Arts and Cultural Center
- Dave Rachowicz, Kalamazoo County Parks
- Troy Thrash, Air Zoo
- Andy Wenzel, Fishbeck
- Pierre van der Westhuizen, Gilmore Piano Festival
New members beginning service with a three-year term expiring December 31, 2027:
- Annemarie Boarman, Next Level Sports Center
- Rich MacDonald, Hinman Company
- Lindsay Randolph, Delta Hotels Marriott Kalamazoo
Discover Kalamazoo also acknowledged the end of service for two advisory council members and thanked them for their years of volunteer leadership:
- Tracy Hall, OutFront Kalamazoo
- Joy Underwood, Staybridge Suites
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Discover Kalamazoo is the official destination marketing organization for Kalamazoo County, with a vision of sharing Kalamazoo with everyone. Discover Kalamazoo’s mission is to attract and wow visitors for the economic advancement of the county. The Discover Kalamazoo team works to market Kalamazoo County as a destination for leisure travelers, meetings, and sports events, connecting planners with local businesses and providing information and resources to both visitors and residents. For more information, please visit DiscoverKalamazoo.com.
