2020 Annual Meeting - "Make No Little Plans, Michigan" - Onsite and Virtual Conference
MEDA's biggest education and networking event of the year is its Annual Meeting. This conference includes educational sessions covering the most important economic development topics and issues of the time as well as several networking opportunities.
The onsite conference will be held Sunday, October 18 - Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, MI - just minutes away from Traverse City!
A virtual conference will be available for those that are not comfortable attending in person with educational sessions running October 20 - 21.
In addition, we will record the educations sessions so attendees will have an extra week to watch them and provide the sessions that were supposed to be held as breakouts as bonus material.
For Your Safety
MEDA is paying close attention to recommended safety guidelines to keep you safe from the spread of the coronavirus during this conference. Attendees will be informed prior, as well as when checking-in, to the conference as to what guidelines they will need to follow.
Agenda, Activities, and Speakers
Bonus Material - The 2020 Annual Meeting Committee planned some great breakout sessions for attendees before the pandemic hit and social distancing measures had to be implemented. We thought you should still have the material, so we will record the sessions and provide videos to all registered attendees of the onsite and virtual conference.
Location, Hotel Reservations, and Travel Plans
Location and Hotel Reservations - As of 9/23, the group rate is still available if rooms are still available.
Thank You Sponsors
2020 Annual Meeting Sponsor Spotlight
Sponsor This Event
See our Sponsor MEDA page for the Annual Meeting sponsorship packages. - As of
Thank You Committee
Awards
MEDA is proud to accept nominations for awards that honor hard-working economic developers. Award nominations can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for the 2020 Annual Meeting, the form must be submitted to MEDA by August 28th - Deadline extended to September 10th.
- MEDA Medalist of the Year
- Emerging Star Award
- Mike Conboy Professional Development Award
- Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm for the Economic Development Profession
To learn about the qualifications, access the nomination forms, and view past winners, visit our Awards Page.
Registration Fees
Onsite Conference
MEDA Members $290*/Non-Members $400**
*If you joined MEDA in the last year, you may still have a New Member Coupon that you can apply toward this event. Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check!
**If not a member of MEDA, you can get a $115 coupon if you join and pay for attendance before the conference. Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested. You can learn more about membership on our Join MEDA page.
Optional Fee-Based Activities
Tour: Grand Traverse Commons: $25/person
Optional Free Activities
Tour: Downtown Traverse City Walking Tour: Free
Tour: Mobile Session: Creating Human Scale Places: Free
***For all tours, you will need to register in advance and self-transport to the starting point of the tour.
Guest (spouse, children, etc.) Fees
Early Arrivals Reception: $35/person
Opening Reception: $50/person
Awards Reception: $50/person
Tour: Grand Traverse Commons: $25/person
Tour: Downtown Traverse City Walking Tour: Free
Tour: Mobile Session: Creating Human Scale Places: Free
***For all tours, you will need to register in advance and self-transport to the starting point of the tour.
***The Early Arrivals Reception, Opening Reception, and Awards Reception are included for registered attendees.
Virtual Conference
MEDA Members $210*/Non-Members $320**
*If you joined MEDA in the last year, you may still have a New Member Coupon that you can apply toward this event. Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check!
*If not a member of MEDA, you can get a $115 coupon if you join and pay for attendance before the conference. Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested. You can learn more about membership on our Join MEDA page.
NEW! Special Rate for Michigan Works! Association Members
MEDA is pleased to announce that members of the Michigan Works! Association will receive the MEDA membership rate for our event. Simply use the button the form to get the rate
Certification Qualifications
This event qualifies for continuing education credits for Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from the National Development Council (NDC). Use the form on this page to claim your credit.
This event has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts toward the recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcD).
Registration
We are still accepting registrations, but registration for the Monday tours is closed.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by October 12th to receive a full refund. Cancellations between October 13th and 17th will have a $75 processing fee. There will be no refunds after the conference has started (October 18th). Those who do not cancel and do not attend will be charged the full price of registration.
