All are Welcome in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Putting on an event like TCS Live is daunting. There’s a lot that goes into it, far more than this simple writer even knows.

What I do know is that finding a good town to host the event is key. I remember when Aaron Wilbur, Founder of The Coaches Site, mentioned Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the group, he was met with excited nods of approval.

It’s a college town, I thought to myself. That means it’ll have a great vibe, awesome restaurants and bars, and perhaps a party or two. Ann Arbor had all that and more; we didn’t think twice about where to hold this year’s conference – a return to Ann Arbor was a must.

But something special happened since we announced hockey’s premier coaching conference will return to the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor was named “the No. 1 best place to live in America.”

No better place to call home! 〽️#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/So5C6n2avD
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) February 19, 2023

You no longer have to take my word for it. Critics have spoken and Ann Arbor was placed on a very high pedestal.

According to MLive.com, to come up with its top-five list, Study Finds looked at 10 recent expert lists of the top places to live in the United States from sites like Money, Livability and Moving Waldo. The top five cities ranked were ones which were the most frequently listed atop reviews.

And Ann Arbor took top spot.

“Ann Arbor is a mix of the rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech city,” wrote MovingWaldo.com. “This city is one of the best cities to live in the United States, with its historic streets lined with bookstores, gift shops, and taverns.

“There’s a flourishing arts scene, a growing number of breweries and wineries, a year-round farmers market and an active downtown full of locally-owned shops and restaurants,” added Money.com.

“Well-designed trail systems, a passion for the arts, worldly restaurants, plus friendly, smart residents who are civically engaged are also among the reasons Ann Arbor is one of the best cities to live in the U.S,” wrote Livability.com.

One more thing Ann Arbor has that those cities do not is TCS Live! The coaching masterclass, set to take place from June 20-22, 2024, features 25+ presentations from the best and brightest minds in the game.

As for the locations used for TCS Live, the Power Center, located on the U-M Central Campus, is where presentations will take place.

When speakers take to the ice, Yost Ice Arena will host their presentations. This one-of-a-kind facility is one of the best venues in college hockey and was voted the fifth-best College Hockey Venue by Stadium Journey.

When the time comes to unwind after a fulfilling day of presentations, The Circ Bar is where it’s at. Their rooftop patio is second to none, as is the underground root bar.