DETROIT, March 24, 2011 -- The Detroit Regional Chamber announced a number of speakers for its annual Conference, held June 1-3, 2011 at Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island.

Harold Ford, Jr., former United States Representative, (D-TN) and NBC news analyst will serve as the Conference opening keynote speaker on Wednesday, June1. Ford served Congress for 10 years and is described as the walking embodiment of where America ought to be headed in the 21^st century.  Ford will discuss the challenges and opportunities to grow America’s economy. The opening session will address how government is most effective when it’s working for the betterment of everyone, and the importance of bipartisanship to address the critical challenges facing America.

Governor Rick Snyder, (R-MI) have multiple roles at the Conference. In addition to his keynote address on Friday, June 3, the Governor will also participate in a plenary session with City of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and City of Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell on the important role urban centers will play in re-energizing Michigan.

The regional roundtable previously know as the “Big Four” will now be the “Fab Five” for 2011, now including Washtenaw County. The “Fab Five” will focus on how our regional leaders can and must work together for the benefit of all of Southeast Michigan. The “Fab Five” will include:

• Dave Bing, mayor of the City of Detroit
• Robert Ficano, executive of Wayne County
• Mark Hackel, executive of Macomb County
• L. Brooks Patterson, executive of Oakland County
  
• Conan Smith, chairman of the Washtenaw Board of Commissioners

“Business and government must work together to re-energize Michigan,” said, Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “Our region, in order to thrive in the worldwide marketplace, must become more than the sum of our parts. While we have amazing “parts”, we need to knit ourselves together better. This year’s Mackinac Policy Conference will focus on this important goal for Southeast Michigan and for our state.”

Detroit Regional Chamber 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference

The Mackinac Policy Conference - the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual event – brings together business and government to re-energize Michigan. Since 1981, the Conference has provided access to Michigan’s top business professionals, legislative leaders, corporate CEOs, entrepreneurs and veteran regional champions. Over 1,500 attendees will gather for the 2011 Conference, held June 1-3 at the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. For more information please visit, mpc.detroitchamber.com.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the largest chambers of commerce in the country. The Chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and providing valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com.

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