Travel favorite Grand Rapids, Michigan, is home to the beautiful Calvin University campus. Venues at Calvin offer an array of conference services, including on-site lodging, excellent dining and catering options, updated, innovative facilities, and exceptional hospitality. To learn more about all this destination has to offer, we connected with Donna Joyce, Business Development Manager for Venues at Calvin University.

What makes Calvin University a great destination for faith-based conferences & meetings?

As a Christian liberal arts university, Calvin’s mission is to equip students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. You will see that mission come to life in everything we do on campus—from how we welcome guests to the way we steward resources. Our event professionals are focused on relationships and care about honoring the beauty and diversity in everyone we serve.

What is unique and interesting about Calvin University to visiting groups?

Calvin University’s campus is stunning. You’ll be immersed in a beautiful, natural setting that includes the Prince Center—our onsite hotel and conference center situated near the 100-acre Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens. Within the Covenant Fine Arts Center, discover the auditorium and recital hall, with customizable lighting and acoustics, or stroll through the art gallery. Our meeting areas are versatile and accommodate groups of all sizes in spaces designed to promote intentional learning and meaningful interaction. Our culinary team, with their innovative offerings from a craft coffee shop to the dining hall, will have you longing for your next experience. Creating your remarkable event is done with ease; Venues at Calvin provide it ‘all in one place.’

What are some cultural experiences in your city that groups may enjoy?

Calvin University is just minutes from internationally renowned Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Grand Rapids is a culinary mecca. You’ll find everything from Nashville hot chicken to authentic Ethiopian cuisine in restored neighborhoods like Eastown and Wealthy street. Downtown Grand Rapids is only a brief drive from campus and has more cultural happenings like the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Rosa Parks Circle. Continue your journey west to the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan and explore some of the quaint towns along the way.

What are some new or upcoming enhancements of your venue and area that event planners should know about?

Calvin University is always striving to be a more diverse, international community. With the launch of our new Global Campus, we will be expanding our educational offerings, including new online graduate degree programs. What that means for our guests is that our technological capacities are growing, and we can seamlessly incorporate both virtual and onsite components to your events. The newly formed Venues at Calvin team is a collaborative group of event specialists who strive for excellence in helping you navigate each step of the planning process. Grand Rapids is also continually expanding, and the city is replete with art, museums, historic sites, outdoor recreation opportunities, and a thriving culinary scene. Easy to navigate and very affordable, Grand Rapids is often listed as a top place to live and a prime destination for travel.