Your Partner in Growing Your Community

MEDA Emerging Leaders Spring Training

2024 EL Spring TrainingThis yearly event will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the MML offices in Lansing.

This special half-day is created by emerging leaders in economic development for their peers. Sessions will help you better understand core areas of economic development.

To develop the best conference, a volunteer committee of MEDA members meets regularly to plan this event and other programs and services for emerging leaders in economic development. Click here to learn more about the Emerging Leaders Committee.

Agenda

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens

8:30 a.m. If You Want It Built, They Will Come … and You Can Help
Learn some best practices in community development from the perspective of the development community. Get feedback on the expectations that they have when going into a project, including the information that they need as well as the best timeframe to provide that information to ensure that the project goes smoothly.
Moderator: Samantha Mariuz, MPA, EDFP, Vice President, Economic Development Services, AKT Peerless Environmental Services
Panelists: Stacy Esbrook, Managing Director, Policy and Impacts, Michigan Community Capitol
Brian Farkas, Director of Workforce Housing, Allen Edwin Homes
Bruce Johnston, Co-Owner and Founder, Revitalize, LLC

9:30 a.m. Networking Break

9:45 a.m. Skipping the Stall
There's nothing that can stall a project – and create a lot of additional efforts for your EDO – like finding out that the community is not happy because they didn't feel like they were properly informed before a project hit the headlines. Prevention via communication is key, but how do you balance the needs of the community with the potential results of the economic development project to help them understand the impact while also unburying from misinformation?
Moderator: Meghan Swain, Executive Director, Michigan Economic Developers Association
Panelists: Edwina S. King, JD, Associate Director, Legislative Affairs and Equitable Development, Planning and Development, City of Detroit
James McBryde, President and CEO, Middle Michigan Development Corporation

Zach Morris, Executive Director, Market Van Buren

10:45 a.m. Networking Break

11:00 a.m. Your Wish is “Granted”!
Grant money is out there, but first, you have to find the grants, then you have to make sure the project qualifies, then you have to write a proposal, or you have to find someone to write the proposal for you, you submit, you wait … learn some tips and tricks for finding grants, writing winning grants, and more!
Moderator: Vince Ranger, Senior Technical Specialist, OHM Advisors
Panelists: Ashley Connelly, CEO & Founder, Lionbear Ventures, LLC
Marcia Gebarowski, EDFP, Director, Business Development, Livingston County, Ann Arbor SPARK
Jasmine Mckenny, East Michigan APEX Accelerator, Program Director, Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

12:00 p.m. Break/Grab Your Lunch

12:15 p.m. Touchdown! Huddling for Community Solutions
A lively solution-based discussion will address issues in the community that impact economic development in an idea-sharing format. After five minutes of venting to get it all out, the group will share and develop solutions for restaurant closures, staffing issues, online competition, and much more.
Facilitator: Kevin Christiansen, AICP, PCP, Economic and Community Development Director, City of Farmington

1:15 p.m. Adjourn

Thank You Sponsors

Merit Network

Merit NetworkMerit’s Mission is connecting organizations and building community. We provide networking, security, and community services to member organizations that help make our society a better place to learn, discover, work, and live – while upholding the principles of an open internet.

For further information contact, Rob McSwain, Member Engagement, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., PH: 989-657-6159.

You Can Still Sponsor This Event

Emerging Leaders Spring Training Sponsorship Package ($500)

  • (1) Complimentary Registration
  • Electronic Mailing List of Attendees
  • Introduce Speakers (optional)
  • Logo on Event Emails
  • Logo on Event Handouts
  • Logo on Event Rotating Banner on MEDA Homepage
  • Logo on Program Webpage with Description, and Contact Information
  • Opportunity to Address the Audience
  • Social Media Promotion
  • Sponsorship Screen Display with Logo and Contact Information

Contact Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in being a sponsor for the event. Limited to 4.

Cost

Early Rates - MEDA Members: $70*/Non-Members: $80**
Regular Rates - MEDA Members $85*/Non-Members $95** (Starts on April 11)

*MEDA Members, if you joined in the last 12 months, you may still have a New Member Coupon that you can use to attend this program for free. Ask This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

**If not a member of MEDA, ask This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. how you can attend this program for free by joining MEDA.

Recertification Credits

This event has been approved for (1) continuing education credit for Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from the National Development Council (NDC). Use the form on this page to claim your credit.

Registration

Cancellations must be received in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 24 hours before the event to receive a refund. Attendees who do not attend or cancel will be charged the full registration fee.

Register

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Contact Us

Michigan Economic
Developers Association
P.O. Box 15096
Lansing, MI 48901-5096
PH: 517-241-0011
cjorae@medaweb.org