West Michigan's Morning News
Grand Rapids Makes "Best Towns To Visit" List
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It's always a pleasure, and that sounds like job security when you announce that award. Well, that's the thing. I mean, are you getting used to this sort of stuff yet? You know, I said to some of the staff members that we're fortunate as a destination, we do land on a lot of lists. But when you have a, you know, a global media power like CNN, throw you on a top 10 list. That's saying something, I think. And Doug, one of the things that we consistently have seen since Experience Grand Rapids came around, and obviously what's happened in the sports community with my Gus Luntweiler and the Myers State Games just happened last weekend, is you guys continue to push the envelope or ideas come your way. You know, we've got the soccer stadium, the amphitheater, because we realize you can't just sit on your laurels, right? And you got to continue to invest back in. And luckily we have an area and a lot of people that want to do that. Well, that's what's special about Grand Rapids. You know, you've got people that aren't in our travel industry that are putting together this wonderful infrastructure for us to market and promote to the world. And so you've got to have that first. And then, you know, it's the, you know, I brag about my team. I've got a very creative, strong marketing team that are, you know, I think ahead of the curve. They're thinking two years in advance. And I think awards like this show that it's working. The list puts Grand Rapids at number 10 on the list. The only thing I would complain about with CNN is obviously that. But top 10, still cool, right? I mean, Letterman made a career out of it, but they listed art and our beer culture and outdoor activities. They really did land on some pretty good positives. Well, I'm glad you said that, Steve, because I, I was talking yesterday that we have these brand pillars that we ride on. I always say that a brand is nothing more than a promise. And if you promise something, you better deliver it. And everything they mentioned in that article are the brand pillars that we're pushing out every day. Because those are things we know we can do very, very well. And they obviously felt the same. And it's really nice to know that, you know, all the money and and brain power that's putting these programs together are working. Wow. And to that, and speak more to that spirit of collaboration with businesses along with leadership here in the city of Grand Rapids, not unlike yourself, to get on board and to represent those brands. Well, we, you know, when we put together our last strategic plan, I remember the consultant was blown away by a community having something like a grand action, where the business community comes together and says, all right, this is going to be the next big project. And fortunately for us, most of those projects, you know, are in our world, the travel industry, and you just don't, this is my destination representing. And you just don't have those kind of people in other communities. And so we're very fortunate to have that. I've always said that, you know, you had a group that envisioned a great city, they're building a great city, and this award says we are now a great city. So, you know, it's, it's really awesome. And Doug, as you know, it goes hand in hand, I think with the way I call it the triangle is working as well in the West Michigan area. I mean, you're with experience Grand Rapids, but you know, there's collaboration going on. And you probably work with some of those folks along Lake Shore and Holland, and what's happening in Grand Haven, I was just out there for a soccer in the center and blew me away how big it's gotten. And then, you know, obviously everything going on in the Lakeshore around Muskegon as well. Yeah, it's, it's really cool to see that. And I think success breeds success and, you know, Muskegon is a prime example of, you know, they just, they're, they're sort of doing the Grand Rapids thing. I'll put the right pieces in place and I'm thrilled for them. You know, I keep reading about new things gone into Grand Haven. I said yesterday, you know, that it's a cool thing about this job. I really almost wake up every morning. And the first thing I do is read the news and there's something new for us to be able to market out there. So we're not sitting still, that's for sure. Well, there you go. Congratulations. Once again, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids, Doug Small. Thank you for your time today. Thank you guys. Take care.