Why Grand Rapids

This September, the world of metalforming comes to Grand Rapids, Michigan, the

perfect destination to make new international business relationships.
Named as one of the United States “Top-ten cities to do business” by Fortune Magazine, the ICOSPA 2008 Congress puts you at the center of Grand Rapid’s business-rich environment. It is Michigan’s second largest city with a metropolitan population of 1.3 million and headquarters to metalforming giants such as S
Grand Rapids has been named an All-American City three times, voted #6 Fishing City by Field and Stream Magazine in 2006 and known throughout the world for its major art and cultural events, plays, museums, and a world-class botanical garden.

Conveniently located 184 miles (296 km) from Chicago, IL, and 160
miles (257 km) from Detroit, MI, you can easily extend your ICOSPA 2008 Congress stay and visit other exciting U.S. cities just a short drive away.

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel offers everything under one roof.  You'll find charming boutiques and galleries, a luxurious fitness center, a full slate of business services, in-room conveniences, as well as a helpful concierge who's always ready to assist you.

JW Marriott - Grand Rapids

The JW Marriott Hotel - Grand Rapids brings new life to the riverfront while offering visitors a superb hospitality experience.  Among the hotel’s extraordinary features are 340 guest rooms, each with a flat screen TV, high-speed Internet, 24-hour room service and other luxurious amenities. Should you enjoy a workout, the hotel’s state-of-the art fitness center is sure to fit your needs. If you prefer a refreshing swim, the indoor lap pool awaits you. For your dining delight, there is a signature restaurant.

DeVos Place

DeVos Place for conventions, meetings, & banquets.  The new state-of-the-art DeVos Place offers convention and meeting facilities for every type of event. DeVos Place has a total of 250,000 square feet of meeting and convention space in the heart of downtown. Banquets are catered by the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

The Gerald R. Ford Museum

Located in downtown Grand Rapids, the Gerald R. Ford Museum's permanent exhibits allow visitors to actually participate in history while reviewing the lives of President and Mrs. Ford. A succession of feature exhibits draws upon the holdings of the entire Presidential Libraries System, Smithsonian Institution, National Archives, and others.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM)

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), located in downtown Grand Rapids adjacent to Maya Lin’s Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle, is the newest addition to the city’s cultural center.  The GRAM is a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds enrich their lives through interaction with authentic works of art of the finest quality. In order to nourish and delight the mind and spirit, the museum collects, conserves, educates and interprets.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Discover the beauty and splendor of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a spectacular botanic garden and world-class sculpture park in Grand Rapids. While you're in the city for a convention, consider Meijer Gardens for a spouse tour and luncheon in one of the rooms overlooking the gardens.

The Retreat Center at Camp Blodgett

Less than a 30-minute drive from Grand Rapids, Camp Blodgett’s Retreat Center overlooks Lake Michigan and provides a spectacular venue. The new hall and kitchen will accommodate up to 160 guests.