About Ann-Arbor Michigan
Besides being close to another famous city, Detroit, Ann Arbor is also home to the University of Michigan and one of the largest art scenes in the country. Ann-Arbor houses a global arts community made of artists of all types from all over the world. The theater and performing arts sector is booming as is the city’s international food scene.
Ann-Arbor is also centrally located amongst a cluster of small communities making it a great place to host a meeting. Nearby Ypsilanti, Milan, and Chelsea all provide similar activities yet with different twists.
The weather in Ann-Arbor and surrounding areas ranges from mild most of the year to quite cold in the winter. No matter the time of year, an Ann Arbor meeting space is always a great idea!
Meeting Options in Ann Arbor
Meetings are very important, whether they are the executive type of meeting or just a casual business luncheon, and pulling them off properly requires a lot of work. It’s a must to take advantage of the options and amenities nearby to make your meeting a success.
- Transportation
Making sure everyone can get to and from the meeting is very important. Depending on the city you’re in, this may be more difficult than anticipated. Traffic congestion can be a problem and relying on public transportation is not always an option. In these cases, it’s better to hire your own transportation company.
- Catering
Keeping everyone fed is another important part of any meeting. Even if the meeting is only a couple of hours, you want to make sure some sort of refreshments are available. However, you can’t rely on the meeting space to provide these things for you and if you need full meals, then you’re certainly going to require a solution to be in place.
- Photographer/Videographer
Having a record of the meeting or just photos of important moments is also a good idea. Rather than just taking photos or video yourself, to have a quality record of the meeting, it’s better to hire a professional photographer or videographer to capture the meeting and the must-remember parts that happen within.
Meeting Companies in Ann Arbor
When narrowing down your Ann Arbor meeting space, contacting companies to set it up efficiently is another essential step in the planning process.
- Skoop Up Michigan
When you want to get people where they need to go in a hurry and without a lot of hassle, then it helps to have your own transportation company available. Skoop Up Michigan has all your transportation needs available on demand, so no matter where your meeting space is, you can make sure everyone gets there safely and on time.
- Zingerman’s Catering
Every meeting needs food, but not just any food will do. Sure, tea and coffee are good for something, but when people at a meeting get hungry, they expect to be well fed. Zingerman’s Catering has options for every situation. Carry-out menus, full-service catering, special event services, seasonal menus and more are specialties that Zingerman’s Catering can provide.
- Marc-Gregor Photography
Every meeting or event has memories that should be saved for posterity, from important comments and conversations to heartwarming handshakes and hugs among friends and colleagues. Marc-Gregor Photography is who you need to capture these moments during your meeting. With years of experience and a keen eye, you can rest assured all the important moments of your gathering will be caught and preserved.
Pros and Cons of Meetings in Ann Arbor
Being close to other major cities and with a thriving art scene, Ann Arbor has a lot to offer residents and visitors, but with all the positives, there are bound to be some negatives as well. Here are the pros and cons of a meeting space in Ann Arbor.
Advantages
- Lots of nature
If you like the outdoors, and more specifically, trees, then you’ll love Ann Arbor. Nicknamed “the city of trees” Ann Arbor effortlessly blends its cityscape with nature to create a nature-filled environment.
- Thriving art scene
If you’re more into art and culture, then you’ll love the international art scene in Ann Arbor. They’re not limited to one style or period of art either, they have a variety of artistic interests from literally all around the globe. An ideal after-meeting outing will involve something to do with the arts.
- Plenty of amenities
If you’re looking for food, lodging or any other amenities for your upcoming meeting, you’re in luck, Ann Arbor has a little bit of everything you could ever need and more within close proximity
Disadvantages
- Cost of living
The cost of certain things in Ann Arbor is higher than the national average. This can make paying for your meeting space or some of the accommodations a bit more pricey than you may have budgeted for, so it’s important to plan ahead.
- Winter
While most of the year in Ann Arbor is relatively mild, winter can easily get very cold and intolerable. Getting around in heavy snow is also very difficult and puts a halt on getting anywhere quickly.
- Traffic
Traffic in general in Ann Arbor can be a nightmare and is best avoided, but in the winter the problem is exacerbated. It’s a good idea to pick a meeting space that is close to other things.
Famous Locations in Ann Arbor
- Kelsey Museum of Archeology
If you’re a fan of ancient history and art, then the Kelsey Museum of Archeology should be on your list of places to visit. The museum features more than 100,000 objects from Ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and elsewhere, including pots, spices, amulets, and murals.
- Gerald Ford Presidential Library
If you’re more of a fan of recent American history, then the Gerald Ford Presidential Library is somewhere you need to visit. With a full replica of his oval office and documents, audio, and files from the entire era, there’s something interesting to find every time you visit.
- Zingerman’s Deli
If you like history and food (who doesn’t love food?) then you simply have to stop by Zingerman’s Deli. No ordinary deli, Zingerman’s is so famous that it was a favorite of President Barack Obama himself!
