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DTSTART:20261109T143000Z
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SUMMARY:Annual Economic Summit 2026
DESCRIPTION:2026 Annual Economic Summit\n\nEach fall\, Traverse Connect presents the Annual Economic Summit\, bringing together hundreds of business and community leaders to connect\, explore trends impacting our economy\, and look ahead at the future of the Grand Traverse region. This year's Summit will focus on preparing our region for continued growth. Population growth across the Grand Traverse region has outpaced the expansion of municipal services\, infrastructure investment\, and updates to zoning and development regulations.\n\n\n\nTraverse Connect will share a new data-driven assessment of communities across Grand Traverse County\, examining development readiness\, comparing our region with other rapidly growing communities\, and identifying opportunities for greater regional collaboration. The discussion will explore practical steps our communities can take together to support continued economic growth and meet the needs of a growing population. Attendees will also hear from an economist providing insight into national and state economic trends and what they mean for businesses and communities across Northern Michigan.\n\n \n\nQuick Connect & Business Showcase | 9:30 AM 11:00 AM\n\n\n\nStart the day connecting with businesses and community leaders from across the Grand Traverse region! Quick Connect offers intentional B2B networking designed to build new relationships and strengthen your regional network. The Business Showcase will feature businesses and organizations from across the region\, giving attendees an opportunity to connect\, learn more about their work\, and discover new resources and partnerships. Quick Connect and the Business Showcase is included with the purchase of an Economic Outlook Luncheon ticket.\n\n\n\nInterested in showcasing your business? Business Showcase booths are available exclusively to Traverse Connect Investors/Members for $750. Each booth includes one six-foot table with black drape\, two chairs\, and two tickets to the Economic Outlook Luncheon. Please note that the two included tickets cannot be applied toward the purchase of a reserved table.\n\n \n\nEconomic Outlook Luncheon | 11:45 AM 1:30 PM\n\nOur longstanding Economic Outlook Luncheon returns\, bringing together hundreds of business and community leaders for a forward-looking conversation about our economy and the future of the Grand Traverse region. Hear from the Finish Ambassador to the United States\, Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola on several Michigan-Finland strategic partnership initiatives including smart and autonomous vehicles\, defense and dual-use technology\, and the maritime industry. The Ambassador's visit is made possible in partnership with the International Affairs Forum. Following the fireside chat\, Jeff Guilfoyle\, Senior Strategist with Public Sector Consultants\, returns to provide economic insight and perspective on trends at the national and state levels. The program will conclude with a regional panel discussion exploring growth\, development readiness\, infrastructure\, and opportunities for greater collaboration across the Grand Traverse region. \n\n\n\nTraverse Connect investors/members can purchase reserved tables of eight for $650 or individual tickets for $75. Non-investors/members can purchase individual tickets for $100.\n\n\n\n\nLodging Accommodations:\n\nGrand Traverse Resort & Spa will be offering a lodging discount for attendees\, coming soon!\n\n \n\n\n \n\n\nLuncheon Agenda:\n\n\n\n\nJeff Guilfoyle is a senior strategist at Public Sector Consultants. With more than 25 years of experience\, Jeff is a recognized expert in a wide range of policy areas\, including tax policy\, economic development\, school finance\, the state budget\, and initiatives to improve outcomes for young children. Jeff is a leading voice and frequent presenter on the national and state economies. He has rejoined PSC after serving as chief deputy Treasurer for the Michigan Department of Treasury. \n\n\n\nJeff has a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MA and PhD in Economics from Michigan State University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClick Here to learn more about Ambassador Mikkola\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n\nFind Your Next New Hire from Our Northern Explorers!\n\n \n\nTraverse Connect and Michigan's Creative Coast are pleased to invite five individuals from outside the Grand Traverse Region for a long weekend of creating personal and professional connections to help you make the move! \n\nThe Northern Explorer application is open through Monday\, September 28 at 5 p.m.\n\nMeet the 2026 Northern Explorers who will be joining us at the Annual Economic Summit as our VIP guests to explore opportunities to move their careers to northern Michigan. From finance to art administration and HR\, this year's Explorers represent a wide range of professional backgrounds.\n\n\nLooking for ways to showcase your business? Check out sponsorship opportunities HERE\, or contact Molly MacGirr\, Director of Events & Programs: molly.macgirr@traverseconnect.com
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:2026 \;Annual Economic \;Summit
\n\nEach fall\, Traverse Connect presents the Annual Economic Summit\, bringing together hundreds of business and community leaders to connect\, explore trends impacting our economy\, and look ahead at the future of the Grand Traverse region. This year&rsquo\;s Summit will focus on preparing our region for continued growth. Population growth across the Grand Traverse region has outpaced the expansion of municipal services\, infrastructure investment\, and updates to zoning and development regulations.
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\nTraverse Connect will share a new data-driven assessment of communities across Grand Traverse County\, examining development readiness\, comparing our region with other rapidly growing communities\, and identifying opportunities for greater regional collaboration. The discussion will explore practical steps our communities can take together to support continued economic growth and meet the needs of a growing population. Attendees will also hear from an economist providing insight into national and state economic trends and what they mean for businesses and communities across Northern Michigan.
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\nQuick Connect &\; Business Showcase | 9:30 AM &ndash\; 11:00 AM
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\nStart the day connecting with businesses and community leaders from across the Grand Traverse region! Quick Connect offers intentional B2B networking designed to build new relationships and strengthen your regional network. The Business Showcase will feature businesses and organizations from across the region\, giving attendees an opportunity to connect\, learn more about their work\, and discover new resources and partnerships. Quick Connect and the Business Showcase is included with the purchase of an Economic Outlook Luncheon ticket.
\n
\nInterested in showcasing your business? Business Showcase booths are available exclusively to Traverse Connect Investors/Members for $750. Each booth includes one six-foot table with black drape\, two chairs\, and two tickets to the Economic Outlook Luncheon. Please note that the two included tickets cannot be applied toward the purchase of a reserved table.
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\nEconomic Outlook Luncheon | 11:45 AM &ndash\; 1:30 PM\n\n
Our longstanding Economic Outlook Luncheon returns\, bringing together hundreds of business and community leaders for a forward-looking conversation about our economy and the future of the Grand Traverse region. \;Hear from the Finish Ambassador to the United States\, Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola on several Michigan-Finland strategic partnership initiatives including smart and autonomous vehicles\, defense and dual-use technology\, and the maritime industry. The Ambassador'\;s visit is made possible in partnership with the International Affairs Forum. \;Following the fireside chat\, Jeff Guilfoyle\, Senior Strategist with Public Sector Consultants\, returns to provide economic insight and perspective on trends at the national and state levels. \;The program will conclude with a regional panel discussion exploring growth\, development readiness\, infrastructure\, and opportunities for greater collaboration across the Grand Traverse region. \;
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\nTraverse Connect investors/members can purchase reserved tables of eight for $650 or individual tickets for $75. Non-investors/members can purchase individual tickets for $100.
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Lodging Accommodations: \n\nGrand Traverse Resort &\; Spa will be offering a lodging discount for attendees\, coming soon!
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Luncheon Agenda:
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Jeff Guilfoyle \;is a senior strategist at Public Sector Consultants. With more than 25 years of experience\, Jeff is a recognized expert in a wide range of policy areas\, including tax policy\, economic development\, school finance\, the state budget\, and initiatives to improve outcomes for young children. Jeff is a leading voice and frequent presenter on the national and state economies. He has rejoined PSC after serving as chief deputy Treasurer for the Michigan Department of Treasury. \;
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\nJeff has a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MA and PhD in Economics from Michigan State University. \;
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\nClick Here to learn more about Ambassador Mikkola
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Find Your Next New Hire from Our Northern Explorers!
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Traverse Connect and Michigan'\;s Creative Coast are pleased to invite five individuals from outside the Grand Traverse Region for a long weekend of creating personal and professional connections to help you make the move! \;
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Meet the 2026 Northern Explorers who will be joining us at the Annual Economic Summit as our VIP guests to explore opportunities to move their careers to northern Michigan. From finance to art administration and HR\, this year'\;s Explorers represent a wide range of professional backgrounds.
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Looking for ways to showcase your business? \; \;Check out sponsorship opportunities HERE\, or contact Molly MacGirr\, Director of Events &\; Programs: \;molly.macgirr@traverseconnect.com
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