Detroit Regional Chamber 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference is June 1-3

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Detroit, Jan. 25, 2011 — Today the Detroit Regional Chamber announced a re-energized Mackinac Policy Conference focused on re-building and re-inventing Michigan supported by three nationally recognized keynote speakers. The Conference, to be held June 1-3, 2011, will engage in discussion and develop action items that will help create a globally competitive, financially attractive business environment in Michigan that can serve as a microcosm for a national initiative to increase economic development through cooperative visionary ideas and partnerships with business and government.

“This year’s Conference has to address a total state recovery – east and west, business and government,” said ArvinMeritor Chairman, CEO and President Chip McClure, who is also serving as the chairman of the 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference. ”To address that challenge, we have created a CEO advisory committee with representation from around the state to leverage our experiences and deliver a conference focused on results.  The 2011 Conference will be a blueprint for our state, and for the nation, on how to rebuild.”

“With CEOs and leaders from across the state – both from the private and public sectors – getting involved, willing to participate and supporting this important effort, we are confident that this year’s Conference will be highly successful and that we will truly be able to make a difference going forward.”

This year’s Conference will feature nationally recognized speakers including:

  • Jim Collins, best-selling author, will discuss how fallen businesses and urban areas have found a path to recovery and how these learnings can be applied to re-build Michigan.
  • Michael Porter, Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School is recognized as the leading authority on competiveness and corporate strategy. Porter will lead a session on how Michigan can re-invent itself to be more competitive.
  • Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone, is a nationally recognized, passionate advocate for education reform. Canada believes cooperation is the vital component to turning things around and he will discuss how he re-energized the Harlem community with educational, social and medical services.
  • Bob King, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW), is known for his passionate beliefs in social and economic justice and the importance of a strong middle class. King will discuss how the UAW is partnering with the Detroit Three to make them competitive in these challenging economic times.

Each of these speaker’s will lead sessions with an emphasis on uniting Michigan’s business and government leaders to engage in discussions that will lead to action items to re-build, re-invent and re-energize Michigan.

Registration for the 2011 Conference is up 39 percent over last year at this time. Sponsorship progress is also ahead of previous years.

“The 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference keynote speakers include some of the nation’s brightest minds in government, economic strategy, education, and urban and business development,” said, Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “The Conference will provide access to their how-to knowledge and ideas that Michigan’s business community will have the opportunity to leverage, as we collectively develop the roadmap to re-invent Michigan.”

This year’s Conference has established an Advisory Committee to set the strategic direction for the Conference, and provide high-level guidance on the vision and agenda of the Conference.

Members of the 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference Advisory Committee:

Charles G. McClure – Chairman
Chairman, CEO and President
ArvinMeritor Inc.

Barbara E. Allushuski – Ex-Officio
President, Great Lakes Region
Right Management
Chairman, Detroit Regional Chamber

Dennis Archer, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Archer Corporate Services, LLC

Sandy K. Baruah
President and Chief Executive Officer
Detroit Regional Chamber

Anthony F. Earley
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
DTE Energy

Mike Jandernoa
Principal
Bridgestreet Capital Partners, LLC

Daniel J. Loepp
President and Chief Executive Officer
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

James Murray
President
AT&T Inc.

Mark Murray
President
Meijer, Inc.

Sandra E. Pierce
President and Chief Executive Officer
Charter One Bank, Michigan and Indiana

John Rakolta, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Walbridge

Nancy S. Schlichting
President and Chief Executive Officer
Henry Ford Health System

Detroit Regional Chamber 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference

The Mackinac Policy Conference – the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual event that brings together Michigan’s business community – brings together business and government to re-energize Michigan. The Conference provides access to over 1,500 of Michigan’s top business professionals, legislative leaders, corporate CEOs, entrepreneurs, young professionals and veteran regional champions. The 2011 Conference will be held June 1-3 at the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. For more information please visit, mpc.detroitchamber.com.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the largest chambers of commerce in the country. The Chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and providing valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com.