Detroit’s Growing, and So Are Its Options in Event Venues
Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus.
No, that’s not a Harry Potter spell. It’s actually Detroit’s official motto, meaning “We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes.” And rising from the ashes is exactly what Detroit is doing! When the American Society of Association Executives hosted the 2015 ASAE Annual Conference and Exposition in Detroit, it estimated that approximately 20 percent of its attendees will book a meeting in Detroit in the next five years, bringing $500 million in revenue to the city.¹ According to the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, at least 10 bookings, 50,000 room nights and $5.7 million in direct spending can be attributed to ASAE alone.
With so many anticipated meetings and events, Detroit needed to up its venue game. In the last couple years, we’ve seen some great venues pop up to accommodate the growing interest in Detroit. Here are just a few of our favorite:
Brooklyn Outdoor Loft
- Location: Downtown/Eastern Market
- Type of Space: Private Loft/ Indoor
- Capacity: 125 strolling reception
- Unique Feature: Features a floral mural by Detroit artist, Ouizi
Bullock Green Loft
- Location: Downtown/Corktown
- Type of Space: Private Loft/ Indoor/Outdoor
- Capacity: 220 strolling reception
- Unique Feature: The owner’s Porsche is on display
Castle Hall
- Location: Downtown/Midtown
- Type of Space: Private Hall/Indoor
- Capacity: 140 strolling reception
- Unique Feature: The building is in the Historic Civil War Veterans Memorial Building
Jam Handy
- Location: Milwaukee Junction
- Type of Space: Raw warehouse
- Size: 6,100 sq. ft.
- Unique Feature: The building is a former film studio where, for over 50 years, it produced advertisements and educational films for clients such as General Motors, AT&T, Coca Cola as well as the United States Military
Society Room
- Location: Downtown
- Type of Space: Private venue/ Concert Hall/Indoor
- Capacity: 80 strolling reception
- Unique Feature: The side doors open up to the concert/stage area of St. Andrews Hall
The Factory at Corktown (coming Fall 2017)
- Location: Corktown
- Type of Space: Factory
- Capacity: 200 seated/250 strolling
- Unique Feature: 360-degree views of Detroit, arenas, Ambassador Bridge, and Michigan Central Station
