The below statement on the sale of Grand Hotel from Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber:
“For more than eight decades the Musser family has served as tremendous stewards of Grand Hotel, one of Michigan’s most unique and valuable landmarks. Led today by Dan Musser III, the Grand Hotel team continues to polish this historic jewel to provide guests from around the globe a best-in-class experience.
“For 39 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber and Michigan’s business and government leaders have enjoyed the privilege of calling Grand Hotel home for one week each spring during the annual Mackinac Policy Conference. I expect this tradition to continue for many years.
“The Grand Hotel and its incredible, dedicated staff are our extended family. Both the venue and the Grand’s team are key factors in making the Mackinac Policy Conference unique and special. Our team is comforted to know the Grand’s executive leadership team, including Dan Musser III, will remain in place. We look forward to working with the Grand Hotel under its new ownership in planning the 2020 Mackinac Policy Conference and beyond.”
MACKINAC ISLAND, May 31, 2019 – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber unveiled its 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List following three days of discussions featuring top state, regional, and national thought leaders. Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah and 2019 Conference Chair Patti Poppe, president and CEO of Consumers Energy and CMS Energy, announced the list at the conclusion of the 39th annual Conference. The Conference provided dialogue on coming together for One Michigan under the pillars of Prepare Michigan, Grow Michigan, and Love Michigan.
“The Mackinac Policy Conference is Michigan’s premier policy event. While we don’t make policy, we bring together statewide leadership to have honest and engaging conversations on the critical issues facing our state. The To-Do List is emerging as a substantive, impactful tradition of its own, challenging us to find new and creative ways to put actions to our words,” Baruah said.
The Chamber is proud to continue to host the nationally recognized Mackinac Policy Conference, convening more than 1,700 of Michigan’s top leadership. The 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List includes:
One Michigan
Advocate for political reforms, comparable to those identified in Porter and Gehl’s research, to reinvigorate democracy and strengthen the political center.
Stress the importance of participation in the 2020 Census.
Love Michigan
Drive the enactment of meaningful distracted driving legislation.
Prepare Michigan
Commit to support December 2019 Launch Michigan report and recommendations.
Grow Michigan
Ensure Michigan’s continued leadership in automotive and next-generation mobility by facilitating feedback from the industry and creating an action plan for growth.
About Mackinac Policy Conference
The Mackinac Policy Conference – the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual statewide event – convenes Michigan’s most influential audience to engage in collaborative dialogue on the state’s economic future. Since 1981, the Conference has provided a unique in the nation experience for Michigan’s top business, government, and civic leaders. As Michigan’s premier policy event, the Conference attracts more than 1,700 attendees annually to discuss key issues facing the state. The Conference concludes with an actionable To-Do List that transforms dialogue into positive outcomes to create a more business-friendly climate in Michigan. To learn more, visit mpc.detroitchamber.com.
Flashpoint 4/21/19: Celebrating two decades on air with a look at show’s most memorable moments
In 2004, Devin Scillian and Emery King hosted a special primetime edition of Flashpoint on race issues in southeast Michigan.
Recorded during a session at the Mackinac Policy Conference, the original show was full of candid admissions and honest conversation about a variety of ways in which people experience race.
The 2004 show also contained clips from a frank conversation on race during a dinner party hosted by Walbridge CEO John Rakolta.
During the course of the discussion, many participants came to new realizations about their personal experiences regarding race.
Roundtable guests on this week’s Flashpoint continued the conversation, discussing what has changed regarding race over the intervening 15 years, including how race factors into regional challenges like transit and housing.
