Detroit Regional Chamber Announces New 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference Dates

Detroit Regional Chamber Announces New 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference Dates
Conference moved to Sept. 20-23, 2021

DETROIT (Sept. 24, 2020) – The Detroit Regional Chamber today announced new dates for the 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference, Monday, Sept. 20 to Thursday, Sept. 23. The Chamber made this decision in anticipation of Michigan’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the viability of bringing more than 1,500 business, government, and civic leaders to Mackinac Island for the 2021 event.

The Chamber selected the September dates following discussions with the 2021 Conference Chair Wright L. Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, as well as the Chamber’s Executive Committee of its Board of Directors, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, health experts, and other Conference partners. The 2021 date change is a one-year-only change. The Conference will return to its traditional post-Memorial Day dates in 2022.

“After careful analysis, the Chamber reached the conclusion that we could not be certain that public health conditions, including vaccine distribution, and corporate travel policies would make a traditional spring conference that lives up to our attendees’ expectations a reality. Our attendees and partners deserve greater clarity,” said Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “In addition to greater certainty and protecting our attendees’ health, the one-year move to September in 2021 provides the Conference an opportunity to explore different formats.”

“As a group of unified Michigan leaders, we are charting our future course beyond this pandemic and the Conference will provide the stage for that critical statewide discussion about how we can continue to build momentum as our economy rebounds,” said Lassiter. “The September 2021 schedule should also provide the right amount of time to ensure a strong comfort level among our attendees in gathering safely. That comfort is key to creating an impactful Conference and attendee experience that we all value and enjoy.”

The Chamber will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and stay in regular contact with state and local health officials as it begins preparations for the 2021 Conference. Lassiter will lead a planning team in developing an agenda reflecting the state’s new economic realities.

Registration for the 2021 Conference will open in December 2020. Island hotels will begin taking reservations for accommodations in March 2021. For more attendee, sponsor, and media information, please visit mpc.detroitchamber.com to view an FAQ.

The 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference will return to its traditional schedule and will be held Tuesday, May 31 through Friday, June 3.