Competitiveness, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Job Growth are Key Themes
DETROIT, Mich., September 14, 2015 — Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state’s business roundtable, released the full agenda and speaker list for its upcoming Michigan CEO Summit on Nov. 12, 2015 at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.
The fourth annual Michigan CEO Summit will bring together more than 400 business executives, policymakers, and community leaders to assess Michigan’s continued progress toward a comeback and discuss new strategies to keep the state moving forward. This year’s speakers will reinforce the theme that businesses, organizations—and even states—need to be constantly innovating to advance and remain competitive in our rapidly changing world. The event costs $125 and includes breakfast and lunch.
“Michigan has made tremendous progress since 2009, when our CEOs and other leaders came together to adopt the Michigan Turnaround Plan. But we can’t afford to become complacent—we still have a long way to go,” said Doug Rothwell, BLM president and CEO. “This year’s Summit agenda benchmarks our progress, summarizes key ideas, and helps map aggressive ways forward.”
The 2015 Michigan CEO Summit agenda includes:
Breakfast & Networking
A welcome address from Doug Rothwell, President & CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
Word on the Street: A Frank Conversation about Michigan’s Progress
Michigan is making progress, but is anyone noticing? Get an eye-opening view of the steps other states are taking to be competitive and what outsiders and rivals say about our state.
Barry Broome, President & CEO, Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council
Albert Berriz, Chief Executive Officer, McKinley, Inc.
Moderator: Christy McDonald, Anchor, MiWeek
The Hard Facts about Michigan’s Competitiveness
Review data on how Michigan stacks up to its competitors on an array of key performance measures. Doug Rothwell, President & CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
Getting Real: How New and Seasoned Entrepreneurs Survive and Thrive
Get an insider’s look at the obstacles, opportunities and available support for entrepreneurs in Michigan.
Abir Ali, Creative Director, Designer & Co-Owner, Ali Sandifer Studio
Chip George, Chief Executive Officer, Comfort Research
Carl Winans, Co-Founder, Mega Tiny Corporation
Moderator: M. Roy Wilson, President, Wayne State University
Staying in the Game: Keeping a Competitive Edge in a Rapidly-Changing World
Learn how three CEOs have evolved their products and business strategies to keep pace with the times. Evan Lyall, Chief Executive Officer, Roush Enterprises
Dennis Mannion, President & CEO, Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment
Brian Walker, President & CEO, Herman Miller, Inc.
Moderator: Nancy Kaffer, Columnist, Detroit Free Press
Luncheon Keynote Speaker: Innovation for Growth
Hear from a global innovation expert on how to foster the innovation necessary to continually reinvent your products so your company remains relevant in a constantly changing marketplace.
Tom Kelley, General Manager, IDEO
Moderator: Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News
What’s Next?
Doug Rothwell, President & CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
Reception & Networking
Stop in the Made in Michigan Lounge throughout the day to meet some fabulous small Michigan businesses and see their great products!
For more information about the 2015 Michigan CEO Summit, visit www.BusinessLeadersforMichigan.com/events
Attention media: Members of the media can register to attend this event, free of charge, at the following link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ocmsyfeab&oeidk=a07eb30yo3p21b14056
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