Q2 2020 Kentico Partner Summit

[3/11/2020] STATUS UPDATE - COVID-19

Over the past few days, the team at Kentico, Rob Bean, and I have been having conversations around the COVID-19 situation in the US. Additionally, we have talked with others at Kentico and the US partner community, discussing options for how to move forward with the Partner Summit. Based on those conversations, and taking guidance from Kentico's own recommendations, we have made the painful decision to POSTPONE the upcoming Kentico Partner Summit at BizStream until later in the year.

At this time, we will be planning for a date in the summer as to not overlap with Kentico Connections in the fall.

For all of you who registered and made travel plans already, we do apologize. If you're flying in to Grand Rapids for this event, most airlines have been working with travelers to change or cancel their tickets. We are hoping that each of you can at least get a voucher or refund for those tickets.

If you have any questions about the status of the event, feel free to contact Brian and/or Rob (you all have our contact info).

WHY ATTEND?

These meetings provide a great platform for networking and building relationships with other Kentico Partners. Find connections, make friends, and have fun together.

WHO ATTENDS KENTICO PARTNER SUMMITS?

Attendees include owners and executives of Kentico Partner organizations, as well as those in decision-making roles in the technology and management side of those businesses. Topics are geared toward the needs of organizational leaders, as well as moving Kentico forward within their businesses.

EVENT AGENDA (please note, the details still being finalized)

This summit will include the following activities:

Wednesday, April 22nd - The night before the event:

• 6:00 PM - ? Fun in Grand Rapids until the wee hours of the morning

Thursday, April 23rd - The day of the event:

• 8:30 AM - Breakfast and networking
• 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Programming
• 3:30 PM - Closing

GETTING TO GRAND RAPIDS BY AIR

As far as flying goes, Gerald R Ford International Airport is where you want to come in at (GRR). It is about 15-20 mins from GRR to downtown Grand Rapids, which is where all the better hotels and restaurants are. Easiest thing to do would be to rent a car from the airport.

WHERE CAN/SHOULD YOU STAY?

Extra Special Luxury options:

• JW Marriott - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrjw-jw-marriott-grand-rapids/ . Top end, modern hotel in the heart of Grand Rapids, very nice. Close to the Arena, Bars, Restaurants, attractions etc.
• The Amway Grand Hotel (appears to be 100% booked, so maybe next time) - http://amwaygrand.com/ . This is the top end, historic hotel in the heart of Grand Rapids, very nice. Close to the Arena, Bars, Restaurants, attractions etc. Trivia time - my wedding reception was here 16 years ago, so its my favorite.
• These are both downtown proper Grand Rapids, it's about 20 mins east of Allendale (but still easy to get to from here). Lots more to do and see down there. The social event the night before will most likely be downtown GR. If you plan on making it a full weekend trip this would be the place to do it.

Good mid range options:

• Baymont Inn - https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/baymont/walker-michigan/baymont-inn-and-suites-grand-rapids-n-walker/overview (most people actually choose to stay here, it's the closest non budget hotel to BizStream)
• Marriott Spring Hill Suites - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/grrsh-springhill-suites-grand-rapids-north/
• These are good options because they are pretty much half way between the GRR airport and our office in Allendale, they are also nearest to a major shopping, bar, restaurant area

Closest, Most Affordable option:

• Right here in Allendale, at the Sleep Inn. It is about 3 mins away from our office: https://www.choicehotels.com/michigan/allendale/sleep-inn-hotels/mi214 . It's definitely a budget hotel.
• But this also makes it the farthest drive from the GRR airport.
• Another con, there is not too much to do in Allendale, just a few fast food and diner type places.

Partner Summit Registration Policy

The leadership of the Kentico Partner Summit group aims to gather the broadest collection of partner voices and opinions from our large community. For several years now we’ve enjoyed strong participation at these meetings and have many times reached capacity. To ensure we can meet our goals, we ask that partner agencies limit their individual attendance to 1 or 2 representatives only so that the we can host the most diverse group possible. The leadership of the Kentico Partner Summit reserves the right do deny individual registrations as needed to meet our mission of supporting agency diversity.