• WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE? – After 6:30pm there is a dress policy for certain areas of the Grand Hotel. Sport coat or suit coat and tie for gentlemen and dresses, skirts, or dress pants for ladies. This is applicable in the Main Dining Room, on the Front Porch, in the Terrace Room for dancing each night and the Audubon Wine Bar all after 6:30pm. The meeting space can remain casual as does the Cupola Bar at the top of the building. All outside restaurants are casual. Denim (jeans) is not allowed in any areas of the hotel after 6:30pm except for in the Cupola Bar.
• WHAT SHOULD I BRING? - Be sure to bring dress clothes (see above). You may also want to bring a notepad and pen if you want to take notes. Bring comfortable shoes if you plan to walk from the ferry to the hotel. Also bring a small bag with essentials (see luggage transport below).
• WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE? - The conference begins at 3:30pm on Friday but we recommend you get there early to register. Registration begins at 10am on Friday. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to take the ferry over, get to the hotel from the ferry dock upon arrival to the island, and time to check-in and register.
• WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FERRY? - Your adventure begins upon arrival at Sheplers Ferry, situated at either 556 E Central Avenue, Mackinaw City OR 601 N State Street, St Ignace. Park your car in the designated area, complimentary day parking is available. For overnight parking information and rates please click the link below. The overnight parking lots include free shuttle service to the ferry. It is important to only hand over your luggage to an authorized attendant. Don't forget to collect your ferry tickets at Will Call before boarding the vessel for a quick 20-minute scenic trip to the Island. *Please make sure to arrive at the docks at least one hour before departure.
• WHAT SHOULD I BRING? - Be sure to bring dress clothes (see above). You may also want to bring a notepad and pen if you want to take notes. Bring comfortable shoes if you plan to walk from the ferry to the hotel. Also bring a small bag with essentials (see luggage transport below).
• WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE? - The conference begins at 3:30pm on Friday but we recommend you get there early to register. Registration begins at 10am on Friday. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to take the ferry over, get to the hotel from the ferry dock upon arrival to the island, and time to check-in and register.
• WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FERRY? - Your adventure begins upon arrival at Sheplers Ferry, situated at either 556 E Central Avenue, Mackinaw City OR 601 N State Street, St Ignace. Park your car in the designated area, complimentary day parking is available. For overnight parking information and rates please click the link below. The overnight parking lots include free shuttle service to the ferry. It is important to only hand over your luggage to an authorized attendant. Don't forget to collect your ferry tickets at Will Call before boarding the vessel for a quick 20-minute scenic trip to the Island. *Please make sure to arrive at the docks at least one hour before departure.
**If you have not already purchased a ferry ticket from us, you will need to purchase directly from Sheplers. Click the link below to purchase your tickets.**
• HOW WILL MY LUGGAGE BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOTEL? - You can carry your luggage with you on the ferry or have your hotel dock porter transport it directly to the hotel (this service is already included for Grand Hotel guests). If you have it transported for you, we highly recommend taking a hand-held bag with you for immediate needs (medications, etc.) as the process may take 3-4 hours. Please label all your boxes, bags, etc. using the Grand Hotel’s luggage tag available at the ferry lines on the mainland. Then turn in your luggage tags/receipts to the front desk of the hotel upon arrival.
• HOW DOES ON-ISLAND TRANSPORTATION WORK? - Once you arrive at the idyllic Mackinac Island, you'll notice its car-free environment. After disembarking the ferry, a brief stroll will take you to the main street. You have three transportation choices available to you: walking (which takes around 15 minutes), renting a bicycle and riding there, or indulging in a horse-drawn carriage for a more luxurious experience. Once at the Grand Hotel, if ever you’d like to go into town and need a horse-drawn taxi cab, please notify the driver 30 minutes prior with the number of people in your party. Mackinac Island Taxi service can be reached at 906-847-3323 and is available 24hrs. Rates are $8/adult and $4/child (cash only) from the Grand Hotel to the business section. Visit mict.com/taxi-service for more information or click the link below. *Please click the link below for the Grand Hotel Transportation Page for more details.
• WHAT TIME IS CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT AT THE GRAND HOTEL? - Check-in is guaranteed starting at 4pm. Check-out is 11:00am. Once you are on the island, please come to the hotel to begin the check-in process. You can start using the resort facilities until your room is ready for you. And don't forget you can register for the conference beginning at 10am.
• WHEN IS BREAKFAST SERVED? - Breakfast for Grand Hotel guests is served in the Main Dining Room from 7:30am-10:00am (you need to be seated by 10:00am).
• WHERE CAN WE EAT LUNCH? - For lunch, the Grand Hotel offers the Grand Luncheon Experience which is served daily in the Main Dining Room from 12pm-2pm. There are sandwich and salad options to-go in the Grand Coffee & Provisions by the Front Desk. The Jockey Club serves lunch across the street and The Gate House down the hill has a great lunch as well. *Lunch is not included in the hotel meal package.
• WHEN AND WHERE IS DINNER SERVED? - All guests staying at the Grand Hotel with the meal package included in their rate (or non-hotel guests who purchase the meal package) can have dinner in the Main Dining Room, The Jockey Club, and The Gate House (some items in those restaurants are not included in the MAP package and will be noted). The Jockey Club and The Gate House are tipping establishments and the tip is not included in the MAP package in those locations. Dinner is serviced in the Main Dining Room from 6:30pm-8:45pm (you need to be seated by 8:45pm).
• WHAT IS THE ALCOHOL POLICY FOR THE CONFERENCE? - To purchase alcohol you will need to pay the hotel directly (this will not be covered by MIGOP).
• WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE EXHIBIT HALL BE OPEN? –Be sure to visit our exhibitors and check out the many resources they have to offer. Exhibit hall located in the Art Gallery, will be open Friday from 2-8pm and Sat. from 8am-7pm. Exhibitors are not directly affiliated with MIGOP. Please note that the views and opinions of our exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of MIGOP.
• CAN I CARRY AT THE CONFERENCE? - Per Grand Hotel policy we must inform you that no fire arms are permitted anywhere on the Grand hotel property.