(WWJ) Hundreds of Michigan's community and business leaders are meeting up on Mackinac Island this week for a slightly scaled back Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference.
After a hiatus in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event has returned, with some changes amid continued concerns about the virus. About 1,200 people are expected to attend this year; while the usual number is around 1,700.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reports safety will be top of mind, with the number of precautions in place.
Everyone in attendance is required to have their COVID-19 vaccine, and be able to prove it by providing a vaccination card.
In addition, everyone is required to wear a face mask, as well as a wrist band indicating how you feel about shaking hands.
A green wristband means go for it, a yellow one means elbow bump only, and red one means, "Please stay six feet away!" (Health and safety information for attendees is posted HERE).
Among topics up for discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, racial justice, congressional redistricting and business development, and investing in public health.
Wright Lassiter, III, who is this year's conference Chair and the president and CEO Of Henry Ford Health System, told WWJ that reimagining a healthy Michigan is the main theme.
"We wanna think broadly about what it means to be healthy; what it means for each member of the state, each resident of the state to be healthy," Lassiter said. "And as a health care executive, I can attest that medical care, while important, only accounts for a small percentage of a person's overall health."
Lantgon will be on the island reporting for WWJ, along with Jackie Paige.
"I would really like to know what the plan is for Michigan going forward, other than the pandemic," Paige said, before heading to the island. "You know, there are some other topics that need to be addressed. Obviously, everyone talks about Line 5...but, also, what about the roads? They really need to desperately talk about the roads, and they really need to get done, and that really needs to be at the forefront of the conversation, I believe."
The crowd is expected to include metro Detroit business owners, nonprofit leaders, politicians, other influencers and the media; while Langton reports there's expected to be fewer legislators on site than usual this year.
Donna Pardonnet, Executive Director of the Architectural Contractors Trade Association, will be there spreading information about union workers.
"I think that it's really important that the stakeholders in the state of Michigan hear from all the industries, especially the skilled trades and union construction industry" she said. "What we have to offer, what we're doing for our owners, the project we're building in the state of Michigan."
The first sessions of the conference, Monday afternoon, will focus on investing in children and discussing outdoor public spaces.
Watch the conference streaming on this page, and stay tuned to WWJ for live reports from the island, through Friday, Sept. 24.
Related
