Brides, Grooms, Mothers, and Friends... The Most Beautiful Day in Your Life Deserves the Most Planning!

The Annual Spring Bridal Show of West Michigan March 9-11, the ONLY three-day bridal show in West Michigan downtown at beautiful DeVos Place on Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. The show runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"This year's Spring Bridal Show will highlight a Garden of Wedding Gowns by Fantastic Finds, featuring designs by all of the biggest designers in all of the popular looks and styles," says Pam Glass of Kohler Expos. We have a few unique things at this year's spring event, like the Pedal Pub, which Premier's here! Brides will also have an opportunity to win a "Big Day Bag" purse. This is a must-have organizer for all brides-to-be. Vendors include:

• Bridal Gowns


• Banquet Facility & Catering


• Photographers


• Travel Destinations


• Floral & Decor


• Invitations


• Disc Jockeys


• Cookware


• Gift Registry


• Photo Booth


• Honeymoon/ Travel


• Limousine & Party Bus


• Home & Real Estate


• Pedal Pub - Premier's Here!


• Bachelorette Parties


• Weight Loss


• Wedding Venue


• Show Discounts From Vendors


• Register to Win CASH / Prizes

"Back by popular demand is our annual "Brides on the Run" cash contest. Two brides compete each day to win $200 cash. This was a lot of fun last year. And winners are always happy to win $200 cash," says Denise Kolesar. You must be pre-registered for your chance to compete on our grbrides.com website.

The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 and 11a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 11. Admission is at the door. Discount coupons are available on-line by visiting our website www.kohlerexpo.com.

Admission to the Bridal Show also offers crossover admission to the Women's Expo which runs the same weekend. "Bridal vendors are also available for corporate functions, anniversary celebrations and the like, so it just makes sense to offer this opportunity to all attendees that weekend," says Denise Kolesar, President of Kohler Expos, Inc.

About Kohler Expos, Inc.

Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Kohler Expos is one of Michigan's leading exhibition companies providing five consumer shows annually: the popular West Michigan Women's Expo and Mid-Michigan Women's Expo, as well as Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan, Winter Bridal Show of West Michigan, and the Spring Bridal Show of West Michigan. Kohler has also launched GRBrides.com, an on-line engaged wedding planning connection. Additional information is available at www.kohlerexpo.com.

West Michigan Golf Show: A Good Walk Unspoiled and Inside!

Paraphrasing a famous line about golf, the 24th West Michigan Golf Show, February 10-12, 2012 is a good walk unspoiled. Void of ice and snow and inside the spacious and warm confines of DeVos Place, winter-weary golfers will walk the many aisles of the Show and receive a vicarious spring-like thrill by all of the exhibitors, events and seminars. Here are some of the highlights of this annual golf extravaganza:

• Widely acclaimed for its headliners, the Golf Show welcomes John Novosel Jr. of Tour Tempo, the cutting edge technology and teaching company, talking about “Golf's Last Secret Finally Revealed.” Also on the Fidelity Investments stage will be putting guru and PGA instructor Mike Shannon ranked #40 by Golf Digest in its listings of “America’s 50 Best Teachers.” Tour star Matt Kuchar’s putting coach, Shannon’s seminar is entitled: “What Great Putters Have in Common.”

• Ladies’ Night is on Friday and offers special events, seminars and giveaways just for women, including a seminar by Blythefield’s Patti Butcher and the 7th annual Executive Women’s Golf Association Fashion Show. And Swan Lake Resort is donating an overnight Spa package to the first 500 ladies. Also on Friday (only) there’s half-price off admission by donating a dozen (new or used) golf balls to the First Tee of West Michigan.

• The most popular attraction of the Show remains the Treetops Par-3 Challenge where patrons will compete for prizes (Treetops golf) at a fully landscaped par-3 and with a chance to win $25,000 while raising funds for Patriot Golf Day. Treetops is also offering a free golf round (a $64 value) to all patrons registering at its booth.

• It’s “try before you buy” at the demo club area where many top club manufacturers will have the latest equipment for patrons to hit inside the huge hitting net.

• The top golf courses and resorts in Michigan as well as destination courses in Indiana, Kentucky and Florida will offer pre-season values and teetimes.

• Courtesy of WZZM-TV and Treetops Resort, one lucky golfer will receive a 24-person overnight golf trip to Treetops, the Show’s grand prize drawing.

• Thanks to the Michigan P.G.A. and Boyne Resorts, golf pros will give free lessons all weekend, providing patrons with top-notch golf tips to start the season right.

• Presented by Core Golf Schueller, the $10,000 Putt & Long Drive Contests will entice deft putters and big hitters alike.

• West Michigan is known for its thrifty, savvy consumers and the Golf Show remains an ideal place to shop for golf balls, gloves, shoes, apparel and golf equipment at attractive prices.

• On a virtual golf course provided by RealGolf, golfers will compete in a closest to the contest to win prizes from Grand Haven Golf Club and to raise funds for Folds of Honor charity.

• Benefitting RacingAwareness.com and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, there’s a Saturday morning pancake breakfast (for only $5) starting at 9 AM in the Grand Gallery at DeVos Place.

• Sunday is “Junior Golf Day” with the first 250 kids receiving hats, and with special seminars, door prizes, and manufacturers with junior clubs. All weekend, a junior golf area—staffed by The First Tee of West Michigan—will entertain and teach “wee tee golfers.”

Fidelity Seminar Stage: A Wealth of Speakers

One of the lasting hallmarks of the 24th West Michigan Golf Show has been the quality of its headliners and presenters. For the price of admission, show patrons are rewarded with a wealth of lessons, instruction and insights by the leading experts and topflight PGA teaching pros in the game. This year the Fidelity Seminar Stage features two distinct presenters, tempo expert John Novosel Jr. and putting guru Mike Shannon, both of whom are appearing at the Show for the first time on Feb.10-12 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

Representing Tour Tempo®, the fast-emerging teaching and technology company that has revolutionized the understanding of tempo in the golf swing, Novosel will explain and demonstrate how a 3-beats-to-1-beat timing ratio between the backswing and downswing is the bedrock equation of a sound swing. His seminar is entitled: “Tour Tempo: Golf’s Last Secret Finally Revealed.” Although it may sound esoteric, Novosel’s seminar promises to deliver results for everyday golfers. “Unlike certain Tour swing fundamentals, a good tempo is easily within the grasp of the average golfer,” said Novosel, a past presenter at the PGA of Sweden, the PGA of the Netherlands and the World Golf Fitness Summit. A long drive champion, Novosel lives in Overland Park, Kansas.

Also on the Fidelity Seminar Stage will be the celebrated putting guru and PGA teaching professional Mike Shannon, ranked recently by Golf Digest as #40 in its listing of “America’s 50 Best Teachers.” Part of the highly touted instructional team at Sea Island Golf Learning Center in St. Simons Island, Georgia, Shannon counts PGA Tour star Matt Kuchar as one of his many short game students. “I’ve worked with Matt on his putting for the past two years and it’s gratifying to see his success,” said Shannon. “Recently, we’ve worked on Matt switching over to a belly putter.” Shannon’s seminars are entitled: “What Great Putters Have In Common” and “The Evolution of Putting (and what happens when you don’t evolve with it).”

Providing added local and state support to these headliners are a number of well-respected golf teaching professionals. Blythefield CC’s Patti Butcher, the 2010 LPGA National Professional of the Year, will be on stage Friday with “Diva Golf: Be Comfortable on the Course and Play Better Golf, for ALL Skill Levels.”

On Saturday, Boyne’s Director of Instruction Brian O’Neill’s will cover “Getting the Most of Your Practice Time.” Later, "Your Short Game" will be addressed by Brian Natzel, Director of Instruction at Swan Lake Resort.

And on Sunday, Kevin McKinley, Director of Golf at Treetops, will share “Best Lessons of the Treetops Golf Academy.”

West Michigan Golf Show Tees Off on Friday

What:

24th Annual West Michigan Golf Show with hundreds of exhibits from courses and resorts to clubs and merchandise. Also, fabulous door prizes, free golf lessons, clinics, and the Treetops Par-3 Challenge (a real grass golf hole indoors!) where one lucky golfer might win $25,000!

When:

Friday, Feb. 10, 4 pm-9 pm
Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 am-7 pm
Sunday, Feb. 12, 10 am-5 pm

Where:

DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, downtown Grand Rapids

Tickets:

$9 for adults; $4 for children ages 6-14; children 5 & under free.
Tickets at the door and online at www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com
Bonus: All Golf Show attendees can receive a free round of golf at Treetops just by registering at its booth. A $64 value!

Parking:

Best place to park is under DeVos Place. Enter off Michigan St NW or Lyon Ave. NW. The Rapid line 11 bus stops in front of DeVos Place

Seminars:

Representing Tour Tempo®, the fast-emerging teaching and golf technology company, will be John Novosel, Jr. Teacher, coach and international presenter, Novosel will explain how to develop a consistent, Tour-like tempo or pace of the swing. Also on the Fidelity Seminar Stage will be celebrated putting guru and PGA teaching professional Mike Shannon, ranked recently by Golf Digest as #40 in its listing of “America’s 50 Best Teachers.” Part of the highly touted Sea Island Golf Learning Center in Ga., Shannon counts PGA Tour star Matt Kuchar as one of his many students. Other PGA teaching pros on stage will be Boyne’s Brian O’Neill, Blythefield’s Patti Butcher, Swan Lake Resort’s Brian Natzel, and Treetops’ Kevin McKinley.

Specials:

With a free overnight Spa package at Swan Lake Resort to the first 500 women, Friday night is Ladies Night with the 7th annual Executive Women’s Golf Association Fashion Show. And all weekend: a $10,000 Putting Challenge--one putter might sink a 50-foot putt for ten grand. Free golf lessons c/o of Boyne Resorts & Michigan Section PGA. And courtesy of Treetops and WZZM 13, a grand prize drawing of a 24-person golf trip to Treetops Resort.

Sponsors:

Treetops Resort, Fidelity Investments, Srixon, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, Michigan PGA and Swan Lake Resort

Other:

The first 100 people entering the Show each day and anyone purchasing tickets online will receive a free 2-pack of Srixon golf balls. On Friday get half-price off admission by donating a dozen (new or used) golf balls to the First Tee of West Michigan. Saturday: To benefit RacingAwareness.com and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a pancake breakfast for $5 at 9 AM @ Grand Gallery. Sunday is “Junior Day”—first 250 juniors receive a golf hat by Capnlogo, and special clinics and prizes.

Charities:

Several local charities will benefit including Patriot Golf Day and RacingAwareness.com to benefit the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

24-Person Golf Prize: A Personal ‘Ryder Cup’ at Treetops?

In a word association game, “twenty-four” may elicit the following responses: hours, seven, or even Bauer, as in Jack Bauer the hero of the hit Fox TV series, 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland, that ended an eight-year run in 2010.

But to golfers attending the 2012 West Michigan Golf Show, “24” means “prize” as in the grand prize for the 24th edition of the Show, held Feb. 10-12 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. This year, that prize is a 24-person (that’s six foursomes!) golf trip to Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich. In concert with media partner WZZM-TV 13, the Treetops trip is the largest prize ever given away in the history of the show.

“We wanted to do something extra special this year to let golfers know when they’re thinking about planning a guys’, gals’ or couples’ getaway or tournament for them to think of Treetops,” says Kevin McKinley, Director of Golf. “2012 is also a Ryder Cup year so some lucky winner could be inspired to form two 12-person teams and make a memorable and fun event out of it.”

Golf Show Manager Carolyn Alt is thrilled with the grand prize. “Our patrons tell us in our surveys they love coming to the show and having a chance at great prizes,” says Alt. “We’ve never heard of a similar prize at any other show around the country so this one really stands out.”

The details of the prize are as follows: 36 holes of golf with cart for 24 players with one overnight stay at Treetops based upon double occupancy or a maximum of 12 rooms. The two courses will be the Tradition and one of their choice among five courses, based upon availability. The overnight is limited to Sunday through Thursday.

To be eligible, golfers may sign up online at www.wzzm13.com or register at the Show.
Along with its grand prize giveaway, Treetops is a major sponsor for the West Michigan Golf Show. It continues to sponsor the Treetops Par-3 Challenge where a fully landscaped golf hole, complete with actual grass, sand and a water hazard, will invite golfers to compete for prizes and a chance to win $25,000 as a finalist on Sunday. This year’s charity recipient will be Patriot Golf Day, the initiative that provides college scholarships for the children and spouses of fallen or wounded military personnel. And this year, every Show attendee will receive a free midweek round of golf—a $64 value—by registering at the Treetops booth.

Produced by Showspan Inc., the West Michigan Golf Show will attract thousands of Michigan golfers to hundreds of exhibits and will feature free clinics and lessons, putting contests, junior golf instruction, swing analyzers and an unmatched shopping opportunity with countless “golf show specials.” Sponsors include Treetops Resort, Fidelity Investments, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, Michigan PGA, Swan Lake Resort and Srixon. Show hours are 4:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. First 100 attendees each day will receive a two-pack of Srixons. Tickets will be available at the door as well as online at www.westmichigangolfshow.com

West Michigan Golf Show At-A-Glance

What:

24th Annual West Michigan Golf Show with hundreds of exhibits from courses and resorts to clubs and merchandise. Also, fabulous door prizes, free golf lessons, clinics, and the Treetops Par-3 Challenge (a real grass golf hole indoors!) where one lucky golfer might win $25,000!

When:

Friday, Feb. 10, 4 pm-9 pm
Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 am-7 pm
Sunday, Feb. 12, 10 am-5 pm

Where:

DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, downtown Grand Rapids

Tickets:

$9 for adults; $4 for children ages 6-14; children 5 & under free.
Tickets at the door and online at www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com

Bonus: All Golf Show attendees can receive a free round of golf at Treetops just by registering at its booth. A $64 value!

Parking:

Best place to park is under DeVos Place. Enter off Michigan St NW or Lyon Ave. NW. The Rapid line 11 bus stops in front of DeVos Place

Seminars:

Representing Tour Tempo®, the fast-emerging teaching and golf technology company, will be John Novosel, Jr. Teacher, coach and international presenter, Novosel will explain how to develop a consistent, Tour-like tempo or pace of the swing. Also on the Fidelity Seminar Stage will be celebrated putting guru and PGA teaching professional Mike Shannon, ranked recently by Golf Digest as #40 in its listing of “America’s 50 Best Teachers.” Part of the highly touted Sea Island Golf Learning Center in Ga., Shannon counts PGA Tour star Matt Kuchar as one of his many students. Other PGA teaching pros on stage will be Boyne’s Brian O’Neill, Blythefield’s Patti Butcher, Swan Lake Resort’s Brian Natzel, and Treetops’ Kevin McKinley.

Specials:

With a free overnight Spa package at Swan Lake Resort to the first 500 women, Friday night is Ladies Night with the 7th annual Executive Women’s Golf Association Fashion Show. And all weekend: a $10,000 Putting Challenge--one putter might sink a 50-foot putt for ten grand. Free golf lessons c/o of Boyne Resorts & Michigan Section PGA. And courtesy of Treetops and WZZM-TV, a grand prize drawing of a 24-person golf trip to Treetops Resort.

Sponsors:

Treetops Resort, Fidelity Investments, Srixon, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, Michigan PGA and Swan Lake Resort

Other:

The first 100 people entering the Show each day and anyone purchasing tickets online will receive a free 2-pack of Srixon golf balls. On Friday get half-price off admission by donating a dozen (new or used) golf balls to the First Tee of West Michigan. Saturday: To benefit RacingAwareness.com and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a pancake breakfast for $5 at 9 AM @ Grand Gallery. Sunday is “Junior Day”—first 250 juniors receive a golf hat by Capnlogo, and special clinics and prizes.

Charities:

Several local charities will benefit including Patriot Golf Day and RacingAwareness.com to benefit the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Info:

Produced by ShowSpan Inc., call 800-328-6550 or visit www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com

GRAND RAPIDS EXPERIENCES BANNER YEAR IN 2011

Grand Rapids/Kent County experienced a banner year in 2011 with continued growth in hotel performance, occupancy, and room revenue and record attendance at area attractions.


Nashville, Tenn.-based Smith Travel Research, a leading provider of hotel performance data, reports that Kent County hotels earned $114.4 million in room revenue in 2011. Kent County hotels increased occupancy by nearly 7 percent and revenue per available hotel room by nearly 11 percent. Occupancy outpaced national and state growth in all of these categories.

"In an industry that has experienced its share of challenges throughout the past three years Kent County has maintained its momentum in the tourism market both nationally and statewide," said Doug Small, president of Experience Grand Rapids. "For the second consecutive year, Kent County reported double digit growth in hotel revenue and outpaced national and state growth averages in occupancy."


Small also noted that the cities of Grand Rapids and Detroit are leading the State of Michigan's hotel revenue growth. Small added: "This is also the third year in a row that our staff has booked more than 125,000 future convention, sports and group tour room nights throughout Kent County. The cooperative spirit from our hotel partners, other industry partners and a refreshed brand image played a major role in these positive, encouraging outcomes."

Blockbuster Events and Exhibits Attracted Record Crowds


New and returning high-profile events such as LaughFest and ArtPrize contributed to a surge in attendance at area attractions and economic activity in 2011. The inaugural LaughFest comedy festival attracted more than 55,000 people to 228 ticketed and free events, including big name touring artists Betty White and Bill Cosby. Nearly 36,000 tickets were sold during the 10-day festival, which launched with a rubber chicken toss that set a Guinness World Record.

The third annual ArtPrize competition experienced another year of great success. A new economic impact study conducted by Anderson Economic Group revealed the event added $15.4 million to the local economy, attracted more than 320,000 visitors and created more than 200 new jobs during its 19 days.


An impressive collection of world-class exhibits resulted in record crowds at downtown museums. Diana: A celebration at the Grand Rapids Art Museum welcomed nearly 100,000 visitors. The Bodies Revealed exhibition at the Grand Rapids Public Museum drew more than 171,000 people, making it the second-best attended exhibition in the museum's history.

Overall attendance at these and other local cultural institutions multiplied in 2011 as well. UICA's new facility experienced the most growth from 2010 to 2011, with an increase of nearly 60 percent. GRAM saw a 27 percent rise in visitors throughout the year, and attendance at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum grew by more than 21 percent during the same time period.


"2011 was another phenomenal year for tourism in West Michigan," said Ed Wilson, Experience Grand Rapids board chair. "In the last year, Grand Rapids has moved forward with a stronger entrepreneurial spirit than we've ever known before. We have certainly raised the bar with the addition of LaughFest to our city's entertainment scene, yet another amazing year of ArtPrize and record turnouts at area museums and attractions."

Award Winning Work Showcases Grand Rapids as Premiere Destination


The creative efforts of the Experience Grand Rapids marketing team led to award-winning work in 2011. The redesign of the Experience Grand Rapids website earned an outstanding achievement award from the Web Marketing Association, a prestigious Davey Award from the International Academy of the Visual Arts, and high honors from the Michigan Society of Association Executive, including best in show.

"We are thrilled with the recognition we have received last year for our new website. Acknowledgment from such prestigious organizations speaks volumes about our creative marketing efforts to brand Grand Rapids as an experience for our visitors," said Small.