May 17th MBN hit the road, heading north for The 2024 Northern Lakes Economic Symposium and Showcase. The event focused on innovation—or the act of introducing new products, methods, and ways of thinking—to build on Northern Michigan’s economic success.
Symposium attendees engage with local, state, and national experts who have fostered innovation through new practices and policies. Between the mainstage and breakout sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to examine innovation through global, community, industry cluster, and business lenses. The luncheon recognized companies and individuals making a difference in the “Upper Mitten” region of Michigan.This talk features the perspectives from Matt McCann, Muskrat Distilling, Boyne City / Owner Detroit Stillworks , and Michael Kazanowski, Founder/CEO | High Five Spirits, Internationally Acclaimed Spirits, Midwest Distillery, Petoskey, MI.
Watch the highlights from the after-lunch, breakout session “Innovation in the Craft Beverage Industry” in the YouTube video below:
[Boyne Falls, Michigan] – The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) concluded its highly anticipated 2024 Northern Lakes Economic Symposium and Showcase on May 17th at Boyne Mountain Resort, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation and economic growth in Northern Michigan.
Gathering nearly 300 business and community leaders, alongside state and federal officials, the symposium highlighted innovation and its crucial role in shaping the region’s economic landscape. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions and gained valuable insights from esteemed speakers and industry experts.
The day began with keynote speeches from Brian Britton, President and CEO of Kilwins Chocolates Franchise, and Jake Manthei, President of Aster Brands, igniting inspiration and setting the stage for a day filled with economic insight and opportunity.
Breakout sessions delved into critical topics such as innovation in outdoor recreation, housing construction, land-based industries, and strategies for navigating the tight labor market. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from local innovators and industry leaders, gaining insights to drive economic success within the community.
The Symposium also featured an award showcase, honoring the following recipients: Lifetime Achievement Award – Ed Grice; Project of the Year Award – Manthei Wood Products; Guts and Grit Award – The Community of Cheboygan, accepted by Dan Sabolsky, Cheboygan City Manager.
“This year’s Symposium was an important celebration of the innovation happening right here in this region. We look forward to building upon this momentum at next year’s event,” said Payton Heins, president of Northern Lakes Economic Alliance.
NLEA, established in 1984, is a regional economic development organization serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties in Northern Michigan. NLEA works directly with local units of government on infrastructure projects, facilitates local company growth and expansion, and assists many local companies on a wide range of issues that help retain existing jobs and create new jobs. For more information visit northernlakes.net
MBN was on hand for this event, and will additionally be sharing an afternoon panel discussion – check back in for those videos in coming days). Below is the luncheon video.
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