The Lansing-based Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association has announced a new conference for hospitality industry professionals – the Great Lakes Hospitality Conference and Expo – that will take place Oct. 20-21, 2020 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
The conference will replace the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Show, which took place Tuesday and Wednesday for this year at the Suburban Collection Showplace.
“As the leader of Michigan’s hospitality industry, our role is not only to advocate for our MRLA members but provide education and insights to foster a thriving industry for the entire state,” says Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the association. “We are excited to host the Great Lakes Hospitality Conference and Expo next year as the premier event of its kind serving the industry that provides nearly 600,000 jobs statewide.”
Building on the previous show, the exposition will be larger and offer more education, professional training, and certification opportunities. It will include education seminar tracks; keynote speakers; presentations on human resources, legal, and marketing issues in the industry; a trade show floor with products, services, and resources; the Stars of the Industry and Industry Champion Awards; and networking opportunities.
The hospitality industry in Michigan employs more than 595,000 people and creates nearly $40 billion in annual sales. The restaurant industry is the second largest private employer in the state, contributing nearly $18 billion each year to Michigan’s economy. Restaurants in the state employ more than 447,000 people, a number that is projected to grow to 479,100 by 2029. Michigan hotel properties contribute $10 billion annually to the state’s economy and employs more than 155,000 people.
The association was founded in 1921.
