Suburban Conference Center Strategy

STRATEGY: DEVELOP NEW ATTRACTIONS

Metro Detroit has something many destinations don’t. According to the ERA tourism study, the tri-county area “has great potential for growth” in virtually all market segments- which is not the case with many of our competitor cities. The report recommended the development of a number of major projects, including:

• Target two or more major magnet attractions to children ages 5-18 and explore initiatives aimed at analyzing the feasibility of other recommendations made in the ERA report 
• Further develop the area’s two major magnet family attractions-the Detroit Zoo and Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village 
• Develop specialty attractions based on our area’s rich ethnic history

Culturally, the report recommended we consider adding restaurant cluster, sculpture gardens, small performance spaces and themed hotels.

And in the downtown Detroit entertainment experience, ERA recommended the addition of three-to four mid-to- upscale new hotels, a downtown mall and renovation of Joe Louis Arena.

Strategic Targets:

• Develop a formal business development program for attracting major convention-class hotels to the region 
• Encourage major improvement initiatives aimed at Joe Louis, Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center and other area convention and meeting facilities. Take advantage of new developments like Ford Field and Comerica Park for use as meeting facilities. The effort should not only focus on capital programs but on improving and sustaining operational excellence as well 
• Sponsor major investment initiatives to develop a Great Lakes aquarium on the riverfront. Invest in Detroit Science Center , Henry Ford Museum & Green field Village and other cultural jewels like the future Solanus Casey Center 
• Add a meeting and convention facility in Troy 
• Support initiatives aimed at analyzing the feasibility of other specific recommendations made in the ERA report