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\nThe Northern Michigan Policy Conference is a regional economic development conference led by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. The Alliance is a coalition of 20 \;chambers and economic development organizations and over 7\,000 member businesses from all across northern Michigan. The partnership exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy.
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\nNow in its eighth year as a policy conference after serving as the Alliance'\;s annual agenda-setting meeting for years\, the Northern Michigan Policy Conference is designed to leverage diverse strategies to enhance the northern Michigan region'\;s standing as a world-class place for business\, residents\, visitors\, and students of all ages. This year'\;s policy conference will be a collaborative\, business-driven experience delivering actionable goals to energize and provide vision. Conference content will focus on the Alliance'\;s four policy areas as well as the chronic issues surrounding business development\, talent\, housing\, and childcare and discuss innovative approaches.
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\nInterested in highlighting your organization at the event? Learn more about sponsorship opportunities today! \;\n\n
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\nNow in its eighth year as a policy conference after serving as the Alliance'\;s annual agenda-setting meeting for years\, the Northern Michigan Policy Conference is designed to leverage diverse strategies to enhance the northern Michigan region'\;s standing as a world-class place for business\, residents\, visitors\, and students of all ages. This year'\;s policy conference will be a collaborative\, business-driven experience delivering actionable goals to energize and provide vision. Conference content will focus on the Alliance'\;s four policy areas as well as the chronic issues surrounding business development\, talent\, housing\, and childcare and discuss innovative approaches.
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\nInterested in highlighting your organization at the event? Learn more about sponsorship opportunities today! \;\n\n
Event Agenda
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\n8:30 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Registration\, Politics &\; Pastries
\nNetworking with Elected Officials \;
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\n9:30 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Welcome &\; Opening Remarks
\nNikki Devitt\, Chair of Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
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\n9:45 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Legislative Update
\nDakota Baker\, Director\, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
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\n10:00 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Keynote Speaker \;
\nGarlin Gilchrist II\, Michigan Lt. Governor
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\n10:15 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Rural Talent &\; Population Growth Panel \;
\nModerated by Nikki Devitt\, Chair of Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
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\n10:50 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Break \; \;
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\n11:05 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;DTE Sponsor Remarks &\; Governor Candidate #1
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, News Editor\, MIRS
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\n11:15 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Policy Pair: Topic &ndash\; Transportation &\; Roads \;
\nModerated by Sarah Van Horn\, President\, Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce
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\n11:30 a.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #2
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n11:40 a.m. \;&ndash\; Policy Pair: Topic \;&ndash\; Housing
\nModerated by Carmen Kott\, \;Manistee Chamber of Commerce
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\n11:55 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Lunch &\; Networking
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\n12:45 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #3
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n12:55 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Policy Pair: \;Topic &ndash\; Cutting Red Tape
\nModerated by Ashley Hutchens\, Gaylord Area Chamber
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\n1:10 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #4
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n1:20 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Rural Economic Development &\; Business Growth Panel \;
\nModerated by Christopher Germain\, Vice Chair\, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
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\n2:05 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Networking Break \; \;
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\n2:20 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #5
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n2:30 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Policy Pair: Topic &ndash\; Energy
\nModerated by Jennifer Riggs\, Executive Director\, Develop Iosco
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\n2:45 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #6
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n2:55 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Closing Remarks
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\n8:30 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Registration\, Politics &\; Pastries
\nNetworking with Elected Officials \;
\n
\n9:30 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Welcome &\; Opening Remarks
\nNikki Devitt\, Chair of Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
\n
\n9:45 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Legislative Update
\nDakota Baker\, Director\, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
\n
\n10:00 a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Keynote Speaker \;
\nGarlin Gilchrist II\, Michigan Lt. Governor
\n
\n10:15 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Rural Talent &\; Population Growth Panel \;
\nModerated by Nikki Devitt\, Chair of Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
\n
\n10:50 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Break \; \;
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\n11:05 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;DTE Sponsor Remarks &\; Governor Candidate #1
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, News Editor\, MIRS
\n
\n11:15 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Policy Pair: Topic &ndash\; Transportation &\; Roads \;
\nModerated by Sarah Van Horn\, President\, Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce
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\n11:30 a.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #2
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n11:40 a.m. \;&ndash\; Policy Pair: Topic \;&ndash\; Housing
\nModerated by Carmen Kott\, \;Manistee Chamber of Commerce
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\n11:55 \;a.m. \;&ndash\; \;Lunch &\; Networking
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\n12:45 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #3
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n12:55 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Policy Pair: \;Topic &ndash\; Cutting Red Tape
\nModerated by Ashley Hutchens\, Gaylord Area Chamber
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\n1:10 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #4
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n1:20 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Rural Economic Development &\; Business Growth Panel \;
\nModerated by Christopher Germain\, Vice Chair\, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
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\n2:05 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Networking Break \; \;
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\n2:20 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #5
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n2:30 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Policy Pair: Topic &ndash\; Energy
\nModerated by Jennifer Riggs\, Executive Director\, Develop Iosco
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\n2:45 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; Governor Candidate #6
\nModerated by Kyle Melinn\, \;News Editor\, MIRS
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\n2:55 \;p.m. \;&ndash\; \;Closing Remarks
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\nInterested in getting a room to stay the night?
\nTake the elevator home instead! \;
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\nGrand Traverse Resort &\; Spa is offering discounted hotel guestrooms for $165.00 and tower guestrooms for $205.00 (taxes and additional rates not included) from \;January 20th through January \;27th \;when you book ahead using the code \;"\;NPM0126"\;. Call (231) 534-6001 to speak with a reservations agent\, or\, book online. \;You \;must \;use this specific link when booking online. \;
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\n\nInterested in getting a room to stay the night?
\nTake the elevator home instead! \;
\n
\nGrand Traverse Resort &\; Spa is offering discounted hotel guestrooms for $165.00 and tower guestrooms for $205.00 (taxes and additional rates not included) from \;January 20th through January \;27th \;when you book ahead using the code \;"\;NPM0126"\;. Call (231) 534-6001 to speak with a reservations agent\, or\, book online. \;You \;must \;use this specific link when booking online. \;
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