Category: News

Kalamazoo’s 2022-23 ‘Cause Game’ lineup & execution takes home National award over NFL, NBA and others.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, announced Thursday that the team has won the National Sports Forum’s (NSF) 2024 SAMMY Award.

The NSF SAMMY (Sales Advertising Marketing Management Idea of the Year) Award recognizes the year’s most outstanding idea regarding the overall objective, action, and results.

Kalamazoo took home the award via its ‘GEM IDEA,’ leaning on its DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) efforts from the 2022-23 season specific to Autism Awareness, Hockey Fights Cancer, Rainbow Ice, Coats for Floats, and Pink Ice. The K-Wings beat out the Cleveland Browns (NFL). Sacramento Kings (NBA), two major marketing firms that created Super Bowl ads for Staples and PetSmart and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL).

This is the first award the Kalamazoo Wings have earned outside of the ECHL,” said Toni Will, Kalamazoo Wings general manager and governor. “It affirms the hard work and dedication put into our DEI efforts every hockey season. This award represents the makeup of our staff and players and the Kalamazoo Community. I couldn’t be more proud.”

A superior judging panel, consisting of sports industry professionals from the pro and collegiate teams in San Diego, CA reviewed all of the SAMMY submissions and narrowed them down to the six best ideas of the year.

After securing the nomination last Fall, the K-Wings presented with the five other finalists at the 2024 National Sports Forum in Pittsburgh, PA, last week.

About the SAMMY Award
The NSF SAMMY was developed to give recognition to organizations that came up with a stellar and prestigious idea that all other organizations industry could learn and benefit from, and want to take it back to their organization. Finalists were chosen based on how well teams executed their ideas. Each of the six finalists gave an eight-minute presentation for a special SAMMY Award finalists session at the 2024 National Sports Forum in Pittsburgh, PA, February 26th – 28th, where NSF Attendees determined the winner.

About the Kalamazoo Wings
The Kalamazoo Wings are a professional hockey team located in southwest Michigan that has been a staple in the Kalamazoo, MI professional sports landscape since 1974. The K-Wings compete in the ECHL and are the AA affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks and the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks. Kalamazoo plays their 36 regular season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.

Kalamazoo, MI (January 20, 2022) – Brick and Brine, located on the lobby level of the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites in Downtown Kalamazoo is now open to the public. Reservations are available through opentable.com.

Locally owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, Brick and Brine features New American fare, unique and handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and indulgent desserts.

Brick and Brine aims to not only be top-of-mind for date nights, gatherings with friends, and company celebrations, but a go-to spot for a casual Happy Hour – offering half-off bar food and various drink specials like $5 Brick + Brine Classic Cocktails from  4-5:30pm on weekdays. A full list of Happy Hour features can be found here.

Limited seating remains for opening weekend at Brick and Brine, but reservations are available for the following week and beyond.

Brick and Brine is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 – 10pm and Friday & Saturday from 4pm – 11pm.

Stay up-to-date on the latest at Brick and Brine by signing up for updates at brickandbrinekz.com.

Centrally-Located Kalamazoo Hotel Introduces Transformed
Guest Rooms, Social Spaces, and Restaurant

Kalamazoo, MI (September 8, 2021) – Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites of Kalamazoo, MI recently launched a yearlong multimillion-dollar renovation project. Several spaces throughout the hotel will undergo a complete overhaul of look and feel, including but not limited to, the lobby and atrium, meeting and event spaces, guest rooms, guest floor corridors, and a new restaurant. Design elements will observe Radisson Hotel Americas’ brand pillars: balanced, natural, and delightful.

Centrally located in Downtown Kalamazoo and locally owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, the Radisson is an upscale, full-service hotel that is dedicated to enhancing the guest experience. The essence of the new hotel spaces will be Scandinavian at heart, enabling guests to find more harmony in their travel experience and enjoy a positive and well-balanced environment.

Guest Rooms

The 338 Radisson guest rooms will strike the perfect balance between form and function. Each room will host a more intentional design – from materials used to layout of the space – with tasteful clean lines and attractive natural material. Muted tones will create a calming ambiance while sleek, minimalistic furniture provides more room without loss of functionality. Bathrooms will be designed to offer sanctuary and relaxation, featuring a rainfall walk-in shower and accent lighting. Updates will also include new in-room technology and entertainment as well as a mobile check-in experience.

Social Spaces

Social spaces on the lower level, lobby, and second level will feature an open, welcoming, and naturally calming ambiance with a style based on clean lines, soft textures, and contemporary materials. Practical spaces to work, socialize, and relax will contribute to a harmonious flow for visiting guests.

On-Site Dining

Brick and Brine, set to open in January 2022, will host three private event spaces, main dining room seating, and bar and lounge seating. The open-air concept, complete with sliding glass walls, will be the first of its kind in Downtown Kalamazoo. Brick and Brine will feature an intentionally forged experience speaking to both local and visiting guests’ desire for authentic conversation, savory dishes, and exceptional service.

“I’m thrilled with this next wave of investment that will update our look and feel for hotel and conference guests alike. The elevation of our spaces, in-room technology, and guest check-in process aligns with providing an unsurpassed hospitality experience, one we’re confident that guests will quickly take notice of,” said Chief Executive Officer, Tim Rayman.

The Radisson renovation is scheduled to be complete by the end of Summer 2022. Updates will be executed in a tiered approach so as to not affect guests’ current experience. To stay up-to-date on the latest developments, visit radissonkzoo.com/accomodations/renovation.

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Radisson Plaza Hotel offers an unmatched choice in world-class hospitality with 330+ guest rooms and suites, outstanding amenities that include a heated indoor pool, on-site dining, the Kalamazoo Athletic Club, and Blush, a full-service salon and spa. Radisson Plaza Hotel is locally owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group. Greenleaf Hospitality Group (GHG) is comprised of Radisson Plaza Hotel, Wings Event Center, Wings West and several outlets located in each. GHG aims to make a positive impact on the greater Kalamazoo community by providing premier establishments of dining, hospitality, and entertainment.

Greenleaf Hospitality Group is excited to announce that a new restaurant concept is slated to open in the summer of 2021 in Downtown Kalamazoo!

Sign up below to receive updates on the new space, menu, and more as they become available.

Click Here

We’re excited to announce that Greenleaf Hospitality Group (GHG) was once again awarded 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For award for West Michigan 2020!

GHG received specific recognition as the Best of the Best Large Companies highlighting our commitment to Responsible Business, volunteer/community work, and our PTO policy (donation & enhancement).

Congratulations everyone who contributed to this success and thank you to our amazing teams for striving to find a better way every day!

March 14, 2020

ECHL CANCELS REMAINDER OF 2019-20 SEASON

PRINCETON, N.J. – On Saturday, the ECHL Board of Governors approved the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 Season.

A statement from ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin:

The decision by the ECHL to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 Season does not come lightly, as this is an emotional time for our Players, Coaches, Member Teams, Fans and Staff. At this point in the Season, there has been immense dedication and countless hours committed in moving towards what is traditionally the most exciting part of the hockey year.

With that said, however, as each passing day raises additional concerns for the safety of those in the ECHL community and as we take precautionary measures in conjunction with our local authorities across the continent to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it has become apparent that this is the prudent decision. Our game and our product are based on our Fans and their ability to cheer on their favorite ECHL team and Players at one of our many facilities around the continent. Without that social environment and game atmosphere, the ECHL simply isn’t the same.

On behalf of the ECHL and our Board of Governors, we appreciate the Professional Hockey Players’ Association for their assistance during this unprecedented time and workings as partners in hockey to reach this decision for the best interest of the ECHL and its Players. This decision allows our Players the opportunity to return to their homes and removes the uncertainty that currently exists.

While we are hopeful that this period ceases and an opportunity to return to normalcy for the hockey calendar presents itself, in the interim, we ask all Fans, Players, Coaches, Officials, and Staff to continue to abide by the measures put in place by their local authorities and follow precautionary protocols for their safety, as we will begin preparations for the 2020-21 ECHL Hockey Season.

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Please direct all media requests specific to the Kalamazoo Wings to Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster, John Peterson, at jpeterson@kwings.com.