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2022 Northern Michigan Policy Conference
January 14 @ 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
The Northern Michigan Policy Conference is a regional economic development conference led by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. The Alliance is a coalition of 16 chambers and economic development organizations and over 7,000 member businesses from all across northern Michigan. The partnership exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy.
Now in its fourth year as a policy conference after serving as the Alliance’s annual agenda-setting meeting for years, the Northern Michigan Policy Conference is designed to leverage diverse strategies to enhance the northern Michigan region’s standing as a world-class place for business, residents, visitors, and students of all ages. This year’s policy conference will be a collaborative, business-driven experience delivering actionable goals to energize and provide vision. Conference content will focus on the Alliance’s four policy areas in the context of economic recovery. Speakers will address chronic issues surrounding business development, talent, housing, and childcare and discuss innovative approaches.
We hope to see you there!
Access our digital program here
Northern Michigan Policy Conference Schedule:
11:15 AM Registration Opens
12:00 – 12:30 PM Opening Remarks
• Sarah Van Horn, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
• Doug DeYoung, Consumers Energy
• Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• U.S. Senator Gary Peters
12:30 – 12:45 PM Q&A
12:45 – 12:55 PM Intermission
12:55 – 1:00 PM A Message from U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
1:00 – 1:10 PM Alliance Presentation
1:10 – 2:10 PM Northern Caucus: Current affairs and what to expect in 2022
2:15 – 3:15 PM Building Opportunity: New Policy Solutions for Michigan’s Future
3:20 – 3:55 PM Keynote Address with Q&A
3:55 – 4:00 PM Closing Remarks
4:00 – 6:00 PM Directors’ Reception
Opening Remarks
President of the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce
Chair of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
Public Affairs Area Manager
Consumers Energy
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Legislative Update
Director of Government Relations
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
Traverse Connect
A Virtual Message from U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
Northern Caucus: Current affairs and what to expect in 2022
Legislators opine on the key issues of 2021 and what to expect in 2022.
Panelists: State Senator Wayne Schmidt, State Senator Jim Stamas, State Senator Curt VanderWall, State Representative Sue Allor, and State Representative John Roth
Building Opportunity: New Policy Solutions for Michigan’s Future
Experts from the construction industry and state department leaders discuss new and innovative ways to address the housing and talent crisis in Michigan.
Panelists: Dawn Crandall (Executive Vice President for Government Relations, Home Builders Association of Michigan), Tim Gould (Regional Director of Field Advocacy, National Association of Manufacturers), Gary Heidel (Acting Director, Michigan State Housing Development Authority), and Quentin Messer (Director, Michigan Economic Development Corporation)
Keynote Address with Q&A
Vice President of Business Leaders for Michigan
Hear more about the plan to make Michigan globally competitive for jobs and growth from a top leader in Michigan’s business community.
