2010 MTA Conference & Expo Tours and Guest Activities

MTA is pleased to offer the following tours and guest activities during the 2010 Annual Educational Conference & Expo, Jan. 27-29, in Grand Rapids. We hope that you enjoy the offering and take part in all that Grand Rapids has to offer! 

Tuesday, January 26  

Cirque Dreams Illumination

7 to 10 p.m.

($43 per person)

You don't have to venture out into the cold to enjoy a night at the theatre! Held on-site in the DeVos Performance Hall right in DeVos Place, Cirque Dreams Illumination melds athletic performers, dynamic production design and music. Similar to the famed Cirque Du Soleil, this astounding performance features mesmerizing feats performed by an international cast of acrobatic urbanites, flexible fanatics, world-class athletes, musicians and more. This action-packed Cirque Dream is enhanced with over 100 inventive costumes, and set in a fantastical cityscape of dimension and special effects. Cirque Dreams Illumination will surpass its "jaw-dropping, family-friendly spectacle" proclamation by the Los Angeles Times and exhilarate audiences of all ages.

Note: Ticket reservations must be received by Jan. 1. No refunds will be given after this date. Limited quantity available. 

Wednesday, January 27 

An Afternoon at Frederik Meijer Gardens

Noon to 4:30 p.m.

($35 per person)

Enjoy an afternoon exploring the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a 132-acre botanical garden and park featuring Michigan's largest tropical conservatory. This tour includes a docent-led tour of the Gardens, which features more than 200 exotic plant species, waterfalls and streams. Afterward, explore the Gardens at your leisure, making sure to see the exquisite plants in the Arid Garden and Carnivorous Plant House, as well as the Sculpture Park and Gallery Collection featuring more than 100 works by world-renowned artists. Participants will receive a voucher to enjoy lunch at the Taste of the Gardens Café.  

A Culinary Delight Kitchen Tour

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

($25 per person)

Tour of the heart of the house! See what goes on in the 12,000-square-foot main kitchen of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, where an award-winning culinary team successfully assembles hundreds of dishes for catered events, such as the MTA 2010 Annual Conference & Expo! Listen as Chef Josef Huber reveals the secrets that led to this incredible orchestration of food, people and massive culinary talent.  

Thursday, January 28

All-day Shopping Spree at RiverTown Crossings Mall

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

($15 per person)

Start the day out right by hitting the shops as soon as doors open at the RiverTown Crossings mall, featuring more than 120 stores with six major anchors, a 20-screen theater and a carousel-all in a 1.4 million-square-foot area. Eat at your leisure at one of the mall's numerous eateries and restaurants, or skip lunch and keep shopping! 

MTA Tour/Guest Activities Policies

To attend tours, you must register for the Conference as a delegate or guest. Approximately three weeks before Conference, Conference credentials, including tour tickets, will be sent to the address on the Conference registration form, if registration is received by Jan. 4. Attendees registering AFTER Jan. 4 must stop by the MTA Registration Center to receive these materials on-site. 

Please note all times are approximate and are subject to change. Consult the Conference program booklet on-site in Grand Rapids for final schedules.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: A full refund will be given if a written request is received at the MTA office by Jan. 12, 2010, except as noted. Refunds will be given if a tour is cancelled.