Detroit Regional Chamber > Press Releases > Best-Selling Author Malcolm Gladwell to Keynote 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference, Registration Open

Best-Selling Author Malcolm Gladwell to Keynote 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference, Registration Open

January 7, 2014
DETROIT, January 7, 2014 Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell as a keynote speaker for the 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference. Held Tuesday, May 27 through Friday, May 30, the Conference will spur a comprehensive dialogue focused on the three pillars of entrepreneurship, education and impact.

“Few people challenge the way we think about the world like Malcolm Gladwell, and he’s going to bring that thought-provoking dialogue to the Mackinac Policy Conference,” said Plunkett Cooney President and CEO Henry B. Cooney, chair of the 2014 Conference. “Encouraging risk-taking and entrepreneurship is critical to growing the culture of innovation in Michigan. Gladwell will certainly help us explore how to challenge conventional thinking as we build our future.”

Gladwell is the author of five New York Times best sellers – “The Tipping Point,” “Blink,” “Outliers,” “What the Dog Saw,” and most recently, “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants.” He has been named one of the 100 most influential people by TIME Magazine and one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers.

“Malcolm Gladwell stands out as one of the most impactful, creative thought-leaders of our time, and his brand of forward-thinking is particularly relevant to Michigan,” said Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah. “In the last three years, our state has transformed itself into a leader in the nation. Learning from Gladwell’s ability to challenge conventional wisdom can help ensure that the cultural change under way in Michigan continues.”

The 2014 Conference aims to create a more globally competitive and financially attractive business environment in Michigan through three pillars:

  • Entrepreneurship: Encourage a culture of innovation through forward-thinking policy, capital infusion, and talent availability to ensure entrepreneurs are a core component of Michigan’s DNA;
  • Education: Drive job growth by focusing on progressive curriculum for 21st century jobs, including STEM education and advanced skilled trades, to ensure Michigan employers have access to a broad pool of talent;
  • Impact: Lead economic transformation in Michigan and Detroit, as a catalyst for other states to follow, by boldly confronting real problems with innovative state policy,

precedent-setting financial turnaround measures and building a government structure to attract new investment and jobs.

To register for the Conference, visit mpc.detroitchamber.com.

 

Detroit Regional Chamber 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference
The Mackinac Policy Conference – the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual event – brings together business and government to re-energize Michigan. Since 1981, the Conference has provided access to Michigan’s top business professionals, legislative leaders, corporate CEOs, entrepreneurs and veteran regional champions. Approximately 1,500 attendees will gather for the 2014 Conference, which will be held May 27 – May 30 at the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber
Serving the business community for more than 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the oldest, largest and most respected chambers of commerce in the country. The Chamber’s mission of powering the economy for Southeast Michigan is carried out through economic development, education reform, regional collaboration and providing valuable benefits to members. For more information, please visit detroitchamber.com.

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