An important part of opening day for the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference this afternoon was a “101 Attendee Orientation” that covered all the necessities of navigating the basics of this spectacular event — and thoroughly making the most of it. [1]
As members of credentialed media, our perspective is obviously removed from official presentations. Even more so when you consider the three hundred miles separating our East Michigan Avenue offices in downtown Saline from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, featuring the largest front porch in the world. [2-4]
That distance is almost identical to what’s been traveled by its sponsor organization, Detroit Regional Chamber. And it’s as good a place as any to begin a discussion of our common interests, those of all Michanders, and beyond, that have come to be served here. [5]
The chamber calls it “One Michigan,” with the setup that the focus here is “on uniting the state.” Aspects such as education and workforce development, competitive business initiatives, and environmental stewardship make this more substance than slogan. They can be leveraged to show how that Lansing and Washington, Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, elementary schools and Big Ten universities can and must collaborate. [6,7]
In 1997 we described a key tenat of effective environments that facilitate progress toward such lofty goals as that of providing “‘immersion diversion.’ Complete, uncompromised attention to the important business attendees come to conduct. No disruptions.” [8]
Mackinac Policy Conference has upped the ante by emphasizing its isolated venue — on an island.
Now in its thirty-ninth year, the Detroit Chamber has worked to a point where this brand reliably attracts highly influential participants from throughout this state and beyond. This year, that number is again expected to be around 1,700 and will include both our new governor and two US Senators. Once again, the Emagine Entertainment corporate parent of our own local luxury theatre is representated here. [9-18]
Although there is a great deal to look forward to in terms of enjoyment here, the Detroit Free Press suggestion that policy, politics, and “parties” aptly serves as apt three-word summary seems to have indulged a desire for clever alliteration at the expense of accuracy.
For our own part, Saline Journal has prepared to cover the Mackinac Policy Conference by focusing on discussions of civility, K-through-forever skills development, and current prioritization of multimodal mobility in the wake of political changes that came with 2018 elections. [19-24]
It’s never all that structured, of course. Last week, our legislature sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer a bill that both “Republicans and Democrats say will significantly lower Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation auto insurance premiums,” and it is expected to be signed on the island. Any plan to cover a Mackinac Policy Conference needs to include the flexibility to follow stories like this. [25]
As to “parties,” beyond keeping an eye out for serendipitous connections and ear to the ground for the stray disclosure in unguarded moment, look for Saline Journal in the separate area dedicated for media — making sure to stay current for what comes next.
References
- “2019 Mackinac Policy Conference” Detroit Regional Chamber.
- Grand Hotel (home page).
- Mackinac Island (home page).
- “About Grand Hotel” Grand Hotel.
- Detroit Regional Chamber (home page).
- “Education and work force development anticipated to top agenda for 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference later this month” Dell Deaton (May 17, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Support Michigan Teachers and Classrooms” Mackinac Policy Conference, Detroit Regional Chamber.
- “Future of Trade Show Marketing? You Decide” Dell Deaton (July 1997) Exhibitor Magazine.
- “5 Steps to Creating a Valuable Customer Conference” Shmulik Weller (May 9, 2014) Entrepreneur.
- “How to Know Whether a Conference Is Worth Attending” Nina Ojeda (October 28, 2016) Inc.
- “How to Decide Which Conferences Are Worth Your Time” Dorie Clark (January 10, 2017) Harvard Business Review.
- “Mackinac Conference in three words: Policy, politics, parties” Kathleen Gray (May 28, 2019) Detroit Free Press.
- “The Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer” Michigan.
- Debbie Stabenow: Made in Michigan (home page).
- “Exclusive Interview With Debbie Stabenow, Democratic Party Candidate For The United States Senate From Michigan” Dell Deaton (November 2, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Gary Peters: United States Senator for Michigan (home page).
- Emagine Entertainment (home page).
- “New corporate video takes time to explain how Emagine Entertainment serves in communities of which it is a part” Dell Deaton (May 8, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Sandy Baruah and Doug Rothwell | Mackinac Policy Conference 2019” Detroit Public TV (May 30, 2019) YouTube.
- “‘Everybody Isn’t Cut Out for Trade Work,’ Advises Dr Rose Bellanca, Washtenaw Community College President” Dell Deaton (May 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Ready or Not, Autonomous Vehicles Rolled Further Ahead This Week Toward Inevitability with Mobility for All” Dell Deaton (May 31, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Here’s A Look Back At 2018 For Clues About What Are Likely To Continue As Some Of The More Important Stories Of 2019” Dell Deaton (December 31, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Michigan Governor Took Center Stage in Detroit This Month To Detail Mobility Partnerships Already In Motion” Dell Deaton (June 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “As 2020 Michigan budget process draws to close, Representative Rebekah Warren explained her priorities to constituents” Dell Deaton (May 22, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Bill to lower auto insurance OK’d by Legislature, sent to governor” Kathleen Gray and Paul Egan (May 24, 2019) Detroit Free Press.
