Location
Conference Venue
Meaningful Play 2016 takes place on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.
Most conference activities are located in the MSU Union. The MSU Union is centrally located between the MSU campus and downtown East Lansing.
The MSU Union is a vibrant, multifaceted building containing shopping, dining, entertainment, as well as the conference facilities.
Conference Lodging
The official conference hotels are:
- East Lansing Marriott at University Place - located in the heart of downtown East Lansing, just one block from the MSU Union. The East Lansing Marriott features 180 well-appointed guest rooms, a concierge level, an indoor pool and exercise facility, meeting space suitable for any function, and dining in Bistro 43. The special conference rate is $139/night for single or double occupancy and is available through September 23 (based on space available). If you have issues booking with the group rate, contact the East Lansing Marriott directly at 517-337-4440.
- Quality Inn University - located about 1.4 mile from the MSU Union. The Quality Inn University offers a free full hot breakfast and features an indoor pool and game room. While it is a bit of a hike, it is walkable from the hotel to the Union. The hotel does provide a complimentary van service from the airport. The special conference rate is $90/night for occupancy of up to 4 persons. If you have issues booking with the group rate, contact the the hotel directly at 517-351-1440 and mention "Meaningful Play 2016" to receive the group rate.
Hotels, in order of closeness to the MSU Union, are:
- East Lansing Marriott at University Place (1 city block)
- Wild Goose Inn B&B (~2 city blocks)
- MSU Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center (~1/4 mile)
- Gatehouse Suites (~1 mile)
- University Quality Inn (~1.4 mile)
- TownePlace Suite by Marriott (~2 miles)
- Hampton Inn East Lansing (~2.5 miles)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Lansing (~3 miles)
- Candlewood Suites (~3 miles)
- Marriott Courtyard (~3 miles)
- Radisson Hotel Lansing (~4 miles)
However, there are several other lodging options located in the area.
Conference Travel
East Lansing is located in mid-Michigan, within driving distance of several major cities, including Detroit (~1.5 hours), Chicago (~4 hours), Cleveland (~3.5 hours), and Toronto (~5 hours).
Lansing Capital City Airport (LAN) is the closest airport with connections through Detroit, Chicago, Cincinatti, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. However, there are a number of airports that you can fly into to reach the East Lansing area, including:
- Lansing Capital City Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI - 6 miles/20 minute drive to MSU Union (directions)
- Detroit Metro International Airport (DTW) in Detroit, MI - 88.4 miles/1 hour 24 minute drive to MSU Union (directions). The Michigan Flyer provides bus service between the Detroit Metro International Airport and East Lansing. It drops off and picks up directly at the East Lansing Marriott.
- Bishop International Airport (FNT) in Flint, MI - 44.6 miles/48 minute drive to MSU Union (directions)
- Gerald R Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, MI - 65 miles/1 hour 8 minute drive to MSU Union (directions)
Alternatively, Amtrak's trains and the Greyhound Bus Line service the East Lansing Train Station daily - 1.7 miles/6 minute drive (directions).
Parking
The Marriott and Quality Inn University have public and guest parking. There are several parking ramps and ground parking lots in downtown East Lansing near the MSU Union. On campus parking is available but public parking on campus is metered and therefore not the best option for parking all day.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University founded in 1855 as the pioneer Land grant institution is internationally known as a major public university in the United States, with a global reach. With over 47,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff, we have advanced knowledge and transformed lives through innovative research, academics, and outreach for over 150 years. MSU is a member of the Association of American Universities, the National Association of State Universities and land-grant Colleges, and the Big Ten athletic Conference. Michigan State University is committed to intellectual leadership and excellence in both developing new knowledge and conveying that knowledge to its students and to the local, national and global community.
East Lansing Area
East Lansing is a warm campus town nestled just east of Lansing, the capital of Michigan. East Lansing is the home of Michigan State University. The East Lansing downtown area caters to the university community with unique shops, bars and restaurants, and speciality stores.
Surrounding Area
From the Michigan Capital in downtown Lansing, to the art galleries of Old Town, to the vibrant campus community in East Lansing, the Greater Lansing area offers a wide variety of entertainment, arts, culture, shopping, and dining experiences. More information is available from the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Michigan
Michigan is known for its expansive sandy beaches (surrounded by the Great Lakes, it has the most freshwater coast line of all the 50 states), lush countryside, midwest hospitality, great universities, and of course, the U.S. auto industry. October is a perfect time to visit Michigan as the temperature usually remains moderate while the trees begin to take on their beautiful fall colors.
MSU Union
49 Abbot Road
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517.355.3495
Map & Directions
East Lansing Marriott
at University Place
300 M.A.C. Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan 48823 USA
Phone: 517.337.4440
Fax: 517.337.5001
Map & Directions
Drive to Conference
Map & Directions
Lansing Capital City Airport
Map & Directions
East Lansing Amtrack Station
1240 S. Harrison St
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 800.872.7245
Map & Directions
Greater Lansing Convention
& Visitors Bureau
