Once-depressed Detroit re-booted

The once-depressed city of Detroit is best described as refreshed or re-booted, as illustrated in its two largest convention facilities: Cobo Center and Suburban Collection Showplace.

The centerpiece of the city’s downtown, Cobo Center with 750,000 square feet of exhibit space is one of the largest such halls in North America. It’s is in the midst of a $300 million transformation that started in 2009. The facility was last expanded more than two decades ago.

The center will grow in size with changes including a new three-store atrium and the conversion of the adjacent Cobo Arena sports and concert venue into a 40,000-square-foot ballroom space.

A giant high-tech digital video screen on a revamped east exterior side of the facility is also part of the three-year plan.
 

The planned improvements are attracting attention.

“One of the frequent responses we get during site inspections is that ‘I didn’t know it was so beautiful,’” said Thom Connors, regional vice president and general manager of SMG/Cobo Center. “Another is how much Detroit is changing downtown.”

“Delegates arriving at Cobo Center’s main entrance will feel especially welcome now, thanks to a new high-tech ‘media mesh,’ which serves as a giant digital signboard that can show personalized message for each event,” says Meetings & Conventions Magazine.

Changes in Detroit are also coming to the surrounding bedroom areas, sometimes known as the “surprising suburbs.”

“People are used to hearing about the city of Detroit, but the reality is that what is generally referred to as ‘Detroit’ also includes a large suburban environment with almost four million residents,” said Chris Baum with the area’s CVB sales department.

Visitors to Detroit are often expecting to see an older city with factories but they often find the suburbs have extensive shopping malls and other activities, points out Victor Martin, general manager of a Best Western Hotel in suburban Detroit.

“The Detroit suburbs offer an affordable alternative for meetings, conventions and corporate events,” said Martin.

Selling points in Detroit include it’s Delta Hub airport ranked #1 in customer service by J. D. Power & Associates. The airport is a 90-minute flight from almost two-thirds of the US’s population.

Detroit in addition to its central location also has a variety of good hotels, new stadiums and the improved convention facilities, according to tourism officials.

Entertainment includes museums, excellent theatres and full-service casino hotels located close to the rejuvenated riverfront.

“You put all of these (elements) together and why wouldn’t a meeting planner want to be in Detroit?” said Larry Alexander, president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau.

By David Wilkening