Knowledge • News • Insights

In Partnership With

eDetroiter: Engler on 2026 Election, & Other Detroit News

Election security is directly related to economic security. As trusted sources of information, employers and business leaders have a direct role to play in supporting Michigan’s election and the democratic process.

The Chamber is providing an on-demand webinar that outlines how businesses and their employees can take action, from sharing reliable information to volunteering at their local clerks office.

The on-demand webinar features election administration experts, business leaders, and bipartisan former elected officials, including:

  • Daniella Ballou-Aares, Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Now Project
  • Michael D. Bishop, Former Congressman
  • James Blanchard, Former Governor, State of Michigan
  • John D. Cherry, Former Lieutenant Governor
  • John Engler, Former Governor, State of Michigan
  • James Martinez, Vice President, Communications and Business Intelligence, Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Chris Thomas, Former Director of Elections, Michigan Secretary of State

WEBINAR DETAILS

Baruah Speaks on Importance of Tight Cross-Border Bonds at Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce’s 150th Annual General Meeting

Pictured left: Sandy K. Baruah; Photo credit: Gene Schilling

Last week, the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce held its 150th Annual General Meeting along the Detroit River waterfront, celebrating its accomplishments over the years and looking ahead to what’s next. Special guests included Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, and Consul General of Canada for Detroit Andrea Clements. 

Baruah spoke as an embodiment of tight cross-border bonds between the U.S. and Canada and highlighted the importance of the two countries sticking together in order to compete with China.

“China is a strategic and geopolitical risk to democracies and the Western world. The best way to combat, to compete, to win is for no country to do it alone. There’s no better example of how we are stronger together than when we think about the potential threat of China on the economic or the geopolitical standpoint.”

Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Read More about the Event
 

Chamber Mourns the Passing of Business, Philanthropic Giant Richard Manoogian

The Chamber was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Manoogian at the age of 90 on Sept. 25. Manoogian served as a prominent business, community, and philanthropic leader and the Chairman Emeritus of Livonia-based Masco Corp.

“As we mourn losing one of the true giants in Michigan business and philanthropy, it’s important to reflect on Richard Manoogian’s journey to the top of the corporate world, the success he achieved — and most importantly, how he put it to use,” said Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah in a statement.

“As Masco grew into a major global company under his leadership, so grew his desire to give back.”

Pictured: Richard Manoogian
Photo credit: Masco Corp.

Read the Full Statement

ICYMI: Small Business B(AI)sics to Scale Your Business

On Sept. 22, the Chamber hosted its first Small Business B(AI)sics event in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Attendees participated in an interactive session, learning to better utilize AI as a tool for their small business. They identified their business pain points and practiced crafting clear prompts to generate results that fit their goals, audience, and desired format.

If you missed out on this session, the Chamber will host its next training on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 8:30-10 a.m.

Register and Get Free AI Help for Your Small Business
 

Chamber Joins Hard Hat Tour of ‘Destination: Grand’

Last week, Chamber team members, including Sandy K. Baruah, the Chamber’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Handel, the Chamber’s Chief Education and Talent Officer, and Christi Taylor, the Chamber’s Senior Director of Talent Initiatives, received a hard hat tour of Henry Ford Health’s Detroit campus expansion project, “Destination: Grand,” as part of its new grant partnership with Henry Ford Health and Bank of America.

The partnership includes a $75,000 grant from Bank of America that will support the new Henry Ford Health Respiratory Therapy Training program, expected to launch in January 2027.

Learn More About the Grant
 

Attend the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit, Oct. 21​

On Oct. 21, the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit will take place at Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit, gathering some of the top minds in the state to explore the topics that matter most to Michiganders. The Chamber is a sponsor of the event.

The journalist-led event will cover the 2026 election, the talent pipeline, healthcare affordability, and energy. Attendees can tune in to the free summit in-person or online to participate.

Register today to attend the program, happy hour, and networking reception.

Register for the Event
 

Latest Headlines

Upcoming Events​

 

Join the Chamber for its next AI Office Hour installment on Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. to learn how AI tools can help rigorously evaluate information, uncover hidden assumptions, and improve their human teams’ critical thinking skills to drive effective transformation in their business.

Register Now
 

Join the Chamber on Oct. 13 for a conversation on how disability-inclusive hiring can help employers strengthen their workforce, expand their talent pipeline, and build more inclusive workplaces.

Register Now
 

Receive critical election insights by joining the Chamber on Oct. 14 from 8:15-10 a.m., for Small Business Advocacy and Resources, which will feature an election preview from the Chamber’s Vice President of Public Policy and Business Advocacy, Brian J. Shoaf, and insights from other small business experts.

Register Now
 

The decisions made at the county level impact employers, communities, and the regional economy. Hear directly from Southeast Michigan’s county executives on the issues shaping the Detroit Region’s future on Oct. 30.

Register Now
 

What's Hot

Get the latest news from MBN right in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a beat.