Michigan Business: Changing to Thrive


2008 Annual Meeting Agenda


August 3rd - 6th, 2008 • Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, Boyne Falls, Michigan

Click Here to Register Online

Registration Cost
MEDA Members: $250
Non-MEDA Members: $370

Change is happening to the economy in Michigan and throughout the world. Businesses are operating in dynamic ways that are changing the trends of commerce. This year’s annual meeting will look at the environmental, population and business shifts that are causing the biggest impact and showcase how Michigan can take advantage of these trends and thrive in today’s economy.

AGENDA

Sunday, August 3rd

6:30 - 10 p.m.  Board of Directors Reception - CANCELLED 7/15

Monday, August 4th

10:00 a.m.  Golf Outing (optional - additional fee)
The Crooked Tree Golf Course will provide a superior experience for novices and pros alike. The course was sculpted from centuries-old hardwoods and the back nine opens to breathtaking views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake
Michigan. Enjoy scenery and networking while playing this course.

2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Registration
Registration will be open for all attendees in the lobby of the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa. Please check-in when you arrive and pick up important conference materials.
 
6:30 – 9:15 p.m. Opening Reception at the Inn at Bay Harbor
The Inn at Bay Harbor is seated on the shores of Lake Michigan. This former Brownfield site is now a Renaissance style Resort with more
beautiful scenery than you can take in on one visit. Attendees are invited to join us for our opening reception. Meet and mingle while enjoying hours de oeuvres and a fresh summer breeze from Lake Michigan.

Tuesday, August 5th

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Registration/Exhibits/Continental Breakfast
Browse exhibits, view Marketing Competition Materials and learn about the programs and services provided by the Gold and Silver Sponsors while enjoying a continental breakfast.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Global Environmental, Population & Business Trends
Find out where the global economy stands in adapting to changing economic trends. How are national and global companies positioning themselves to take advantage of environmental trends effecting energy use? Population shifts and labor supply? What are the most effective ways that businesses generate strong profits as they adapt to a changing society?
Soji Adelaja, Professor, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy and Director of the Land Policy Program, Michigan State University

9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Break in the Exhibit Area
Browse exhibits, meet and greet, and learn about the programs and services provided by the Gold and Silver Sponsors of the 2008 Annual Meeting.

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Michigan’s Global Position
This session will discuss how Michigan is doing in comparison to the national and global economy in taking advantage of environmental trends, population shifts and new business trends.
Bill Stough, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Research Group
   
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Michigan’s Organic Future
The booming organic industry shows no signs of slowing down. Learn what the potential
opportunities are in the organics industry.
Jim Bingen, Professor, Community, Food and Agriculture, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation & Resource Studies (CARRS), Michigan State University
Timothy Young, President, Food for Thought

Healthcare Models and Employment
Health related employment drives a portion of the predicted growth within Michigan’s Service sector. Gary will provide estimates of the types of health related employment and the changing models of care associated with an aging population.
Gary Petroni, Director, Center for Population Health, Southeastern Michigan Health Association

Brick to Click – Businesses Going Virtual
How a 119 year old retail establishment changed business models, looked to the past for guidance, grew up, got smart, and harnessed the internet to introduction hundreds of thousands of new customers to its quality products and service.
John Spigarelli, Vice President of Marketing & E-Commerce, Getzs Incorporated

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Recycle/Reuse
Learn how General Motors Corporation is reusing material to create its own energy and become a greener company while creating new sources of revenue.
General Motors Flint Engine South Representative

Labor Supply
An abundant and quality workforce is the single most important factor for companies, regions, and states to gain a competitive edge in today’s global economy.  This session will review the changing composition and supply of Michigan’s workforce including the effects of the globalizing labor supply on individual employers and regions.  Demand-driven cluster partnerships will be discussed as a method to position organizations and regions to compete for the best talent, cultivate their current workforce, and develop incentives to retain workers in critical industries. 
Kelly L. Glass, Consultant, The Hill Group, Inc.

Re-Engineering Manufacturing
The dramatic decline in Michigan’s manufacturing has left the remaining company’s wondering how they can survive. This session will look at what steps need to be taken to re-tool manufacturing to thrive in the future.
George A. Erickcek, Senior Regional Analyst, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

2:00 – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Learn how companies are putting more importance on the Green Building Rating System that, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
Sam Pobst, LEED AP, CPC, Founder, Eco Metrics LLC

Industry Opportunities in an Aging Society
How can we capitalize the changing population demographics and what steps should be implemented today - where do the “Baby Boomers” fit into the future labor supply.
Robin Boyle, Chairman, Department of Geography and Urban Planning at Wayne State University

Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
Learn about two strategies to develop the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. One using cable T.V. to nurture entrepreneurs and another to develop entrepreneurs beginning at middle and high school.
Donald C. Schurr, President, Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Cheryl Peters, Program Director, Generation E Institute

6:00 – 6:45 p.m. New Member Reception
Learn more about MEDA  and develop your economic development network by attending the new member reception. If you are a new member, this is your opportunity to meet and MEDA Board, Committee Chairs and Staff.

6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Banquet and Awards Ceremony
The prestigious MEDA Medalist of the year award and Mike Conboy Award will be presented. Also President’s Award will be presented to members for their volunteer work within MEDA. Finally, Winners of the 3rd Annual MEDA Marketing Competition will be announced.

Wednesday, August 6th

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Registration/Exhibits/Continental Breakfast
Browse exhibits, view Marketing Competition Materials and learn about the programs and services provided by the Gold and Silver Sponsors while enjoying a hearty breakfast.

8:00 – 9:15 a.m. Dialogue on State Programs
This unique roundtable discussion is an opportunity to discuss, have input, and share ideas on the future of State programs.
Representative of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation

9:15 – 10:00 a.m. The Future of Alternative Energy
A look at the potential impact of Alternative Energy on the Michigan economy. What current
programs – windmills, bio fuel, etc. – have the best chances of being successful and why.
Dan Radomski, VP, Industry Services, NEXTENERGY

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Networking Break

10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Implications of a Renewal Portfolio Standards (Panel)
The renewable portfolio standard being discussed in Michigan requires electricity providers to obtain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable energy resources by a certain date. How will Michigan’s power companies participate to help Michigan’s biggest energy consumers save money and how would a portfolio spur economic growth?
Moderator: Dan Radomski, VP, Industry Services, NEXTENERGY
Panelists: Greg Clark, Government Affairs Manager, Indiana Michigan Power
Irene Dimitry, Director, Renewable Energy, DTE Energy
Dennis Marvin, Communications Director, New Generation, Consumers Energy

11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Sustainable Development
Learn how Cascade Engineering transformed their entire company to become a leader in
sustainable development.
Kelley M. Losey, SPHR, Business Unit Leader, Quest Sustainable SolutionsCascade Engineering

Wealth Transfer
Wealth Transfer will have an enormous influence on the future in Michigan and around the globe. This session will present of a study on wealth transfer and it’s implication for Michigan over the next 50 years.
Bonnie Hildreth, President, Barry Community Foundation

International In-Migration
In-migration has major implications for the future. Learn how can we capitalize on the strengths of the newest members of our international workforce to improve our economy here in Michigan.
Ken Darga, State Demographer, Library of Michigan