Island Resort & Casino’s New Conference Center Set to Play key Role in Winter Tourism

HARRIS, Mich. – The Island Resort & Casino is banking on it’s newly unveiled conference center to significantly boost tourism during the traditionally slow winter months. The 17,000-square-foot facility is projected to play a key role in attracting conferences and events, helping the resort maintain a steady stream of visitors year-round.

Boosting Winter Tourism with New Facilities

General Manager Tony Mancilla emphasized the strategic importance of the new conference center. “It hits a segment of our calendar every year that we need to fill,which is the middle of the winter,” Mancilla said. “A lot of people don’t travel [for leisure], but people do their conferences in the winter. They don’t do them in the summer, everyone’s on vacation in the summer.”

Did You Know? The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2030, showcasing the meaningful economic impact of conference tourism ^[1].

Construction and Collaboration

The construction of the conference center, along with a new clubhouse for the Sweetgrass Golf Club, was undertaken by Gundlach Champion, employing approximately 150 workers and subcontractors. Project Manager Thomas Wahlstrom highlighted the collaborative effort that lead to the project’s early completion.”You’re not going to have a project like this that doesn’t come without issues,and being able to work through those and keep it on track,” Wahlstrom stated.

Enhanced golf Experience

The Sweetgrass Golf Club also benefits from a new clubhouse, designed to enhance the overall golfer experience.Golf Director Nathan Rousseau explained that the new facility streamlines operations and improves customer service. “Our operations stayed very similar,it’s just a little bit more customer friendly,” Rousseau said. “Customers are able to come here, check in for their round of golf, grab their cart at the front of our building, and head out and play.”

Pro Tip: Consider booking your conference or golf outing during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) for perhaps lower rates and fewer crowds.

Upcoming Events

The Island Resort & Casino anticipates a large turnout at both the conference center and the clubhouse during the upcoming Epson Tour’s Island Resort Championship.The event is expected to showcase the new facilities and further solidify the resort’s reputation as a premier destination in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Island Resort & Casino Continues to Expand

This expansion follows a previous proclamation of a $19 million investment in a new nine-hole golf course, golf shop, and additional convention space ^[2]. The two-year project aims to meet the increased demand for golf in the region ^[3].

Ready to plan your next conference or golf getaway? Share your thoughts in the comments below!