Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. This was day 2 of 2025’s Michigan Works! Association’s Annual Conference.
Watch Shamar and Chris discuss what the 2025 Michigan Works! Association Annual Conference mean to Michigan Works! Southeast and highlights regional workforce challenges in the YouTube video below:
In this video Chris Holman welcomes Shamar Herron, Director of Michigan Works! Southeast.
They discuss the services, and challenges facing his Michigan Works! chapter, along with what he’s experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference.
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Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo
The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo.
The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore solutions for Michigan’s most pressing talent and employment challenges.
The conference opened Sunday with workshops, the Association’s annual meeting, and a networking reception at the Gilmore Car Museum, providing an engaging start for attendees to connect with peers and partners.
On Monday, the agenda featured keynote presentations from Sharon Gai and Dr. Christopher Laney, who offered insights into global workforce trends, leadership, and the future of employment. Attendees engaged in a variety of workshops covering workforce readiness, training strategies, and employer engagement. The Exhibit Hall was a focal point for building connections between businesses, service providers, and Michigan Works! agencies, (and also where MBN recorded its interviews from). While networking opportunities such as the Dessert Break & Headshot Lounge further fostered collaboration.
The conference concluded Tuesday with workshops and a dynamic closing keynote from Dr. Sherene McHenry, emphasizing leadership, communication, and strategies to strengthen Michigan’s workforce ecosystem. An invitation-only Executive Breakfast also gave business and policy leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas in a more focused setting.
Across the three days, the conference highlighted the critical role of employment in economic development. Employers learned about the tangible costs of workforce gaps, explored innovative approaches to upskilling, and built partnerships to address talent shortages. The emphasis on collaboration positioned Michigan Works! as a vital connector between business needs and workforce solutions.
By drawing together leaders from across the state, the 2025 Annual Conference underscored Michigan’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient economy through workforce innovation, business engagement, and talent development.
