News & Information
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney
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June 19, 2007
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517/377-3931 |
Michigan Restaurant Assn. Celebrates Grand Opening of New Headquarters Building in Downtown Lansing
LANSING – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) celebrated the grand opening of its
new headquarters building in downtown Lansing,
one block south of the state Capitol building, last week. The
association, which represents more than 4,500 food service establishments
across Michigan, demolished its old 9,000-square-foot facility at 225 West
Washtenaw, and rebuilt a 15,000-square-foot, two-story headquarters in its
place.
“It’s
good to be home,” said MRA president and CEO Rob Gifford. “When we began this project, we were
committed to staying and building our new association headquarters in downtown Lansing, the home of the
Michigan Restaurant Association for more than 20 years. With this new facility, we are improving to
meet the demands of our growing industry and association.”
The
new headquarters facility is an upgrade in technology, office
space, and meeting space for the association.
The enhanced office space allows ample room for the MRA’s growing team. The expanded meeting and event space allows
more of the association’s functions and events to be brought to downtown Lansing as well. From
the innovative cityscape lobby to the grand staircase leading to the staff
office suite on the second floor, the new MRA headquarters building is a sight
to behold. But aside from its aesthetic
qualities, it features two conference rooms as well as an incredible
2,200-square-foot large event room on the ground floor with its own catering and
training kitchen. The event room will be
a perfect location for meetings, conferences, receptions and training.
MRA’s
decision to reinvest in the city of Lansing highlights how important the association industry is to the city and all of
mid-Michigan. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero
was on hand to help the MRA celebrate the opening of their new home.
Gifford
emphasized the importance of the new headquarters building to the association’s
mission. “With this magnificent new
facility, we can further accomplish the mission of the Michigan Restaurant Association: to assist, represent, promote, and educate the
foodservice industry. The organization
is the recognized leader of Michigan's
hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community,
and our new facility will go a long way toward meeting the demands of
our growing industry and association.”
Since 1921, the MRA has served to enhance and nurture
the growth and development of Michigan's
hospitality industry. For more than 80 years, restaurateurs have looked to the
MRA for solid information and advice, money saving programs, and networking
opportunities with their peers in the industry.
Founded in 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 436,000 people and creating more than $11.3 billion in total annual sales. For more information, call (517) 482-5244.
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