The Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual policy conference at the historic Grand Hotel is a constant blend between what’s on the formal agenda and what’s being talked about in one-on-one conversations across Mackinac Island. To be sure, Michigan’s troubled economy and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s political scandal loom over this meeting but neither problem is preventing discussion on many other issues.  The first day of this meeting with 1,700 business and political leaders from southeast Michigan was a good example. 

I’ve seen a lot of opening sessions for this conference but none have been as packed as the one I witnessed yesterday.  Edsel Ford’s progress report on the One D collaboration was sobering.  As a region, we’ve moved the needle on federal and state funding but on most other goals, we’re either “missing the target” or more “action is required” by all of us.  We can’t afford to let any one person or issue tie us down if we’re determined to have a much stronger region.  Ford’s One D report made that reality perfectly clear.

Ford was followed by Lou Glazer of Michigan Future Inc.  His extremely candid presentation on what our state has to do to make the transition to a knowledge based economy was very well received.  Now the real work begins.  Glazer drove home the message that if we want to be competitive with more prosperous regions like Boston, Denver, or Washington, D.C., we must get younger and better educated workers.  If we don’t he says, “We’ll get poorer” as an urban area.  He is absolutely right!  But in our quest to attract younger workers, we must devote an equal amount of energy to retraining the loyal workers we already have in Michigan.   

Not on the formal agenda was Lansing public relations guru Kelly Rossman McKinney’s annual gathering with friends at the Iroquois Hotel.  It was a “who’s who” of Michigan powerbrokers, lobbyists, and journalists.  Lots of good discussions about the future of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Lt. Governor John Cherry, U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller., and State Attorney General Mike Cox.  With the exception of Kilpatrick, keep an eye on these other politicians as the 2010 Michigan gubernatorial race inches closer.       

Today, talk on the island turns to transportation, alternative energy, term limits, health care, the state budget and politics.  I will join Senior Capitol Correspondent Tim Skubick in moderating a debate on moving Michigan forward with the leadership of the Michigan House and Senate which includes Mike Bishop, Craig DeRoche, Andy Dillon, and Buzz Thomas.  If we can get straight answers from them, it should be interesting.