Photo of Park Place Hotel

The 37th Annual
MARO Spring Leadership Conference
For current and emerging leaders
June 8–10, 2011
Park Place Hotel, Traverse CityBookmark and Share

Park Place Hotel Lobby

This premier networking and educational event featuring informative presentations on critical issues by an outstanding group of presenters. To download the complete schedule of sessions, presenters and special events, click HERE.

Presenters include:

  • Tom Watkins, EducationNews.org’s 2010 Upton Sinclair Award winner, is a business and educational consultant in the U.S. and China. He served as director of the Michigan Department of Mental Health in Gov. Blanchard’s administration and state school superintendent during the Engler and Granholm administrations.
  • Paul Marchand, National Disability Policy Expert and former Staff Director of Public Policy for The ARC.
  • Susan O'Halloran, Stories for Possibilities
  • Robert Stone, Attorney/Partner, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge;
  • Sandy Lewis, Partner, Muchmore-Harrington-Smalley & Associates
  • Rebecca Nevai, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget Contract Connect
  • Greg Heeres, Berends, Hendricks, Stuit Agency
  • Lou Adams, Deputy Director, Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • Judith Taylor, Mental Health Consultant To download Judith's presentation, click HERE.
  • Frank Gidcumb, Project Manager, NISH North Central Region
Topics to be presented and/or discussed include:
  • Washington and Michigan politics, policies and disability issues;
  • Communication Tools for Nonprofits: The Power of Story;
  • Another look at the Ticket to Work;
  • Bidding on State Contracts and the new Michigan Set Aside Law;
  • National Health Care Reform and your organization;
  • CMH issues and funding;
  • getting a NISH contract;
  • Ask the labor attorney;
  • MRS initiatives;
  • Networking breakfast with topic tables to include:
    • Veterans services,
    • MRS,
    • Set Aside
    • MARO Leadership Academy
    • CMH Issues

Photo of Park Place HotelAll at the Park Place Hotel in downtown Traverse City. Room rates $102.95 per night, sgl/dbl.
Reservation cut off date is May 7. Call today to guarantee your room (231) 946-5000.
The conference begins at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8 and adjourns at noon on Friday, June 10.

Conference registration fee for MARO Members: $295, Non-members: $440
(and if you participated in the MARO Economic Impact Survery, you'll have 10% of your dues in MARO Bucks to spend on conference registration. MARO Bucks will be distributed in April)

Bring an emerging leader at a special discounted rate of $245*

*Emerging leaders are those individuals in your organization who have the desire and ambition to move into senior leadership positions. It is important to all of us - especially as the number of executives approaching retirement age swells - that emerging leaders have the encouragement, support and mentoring they need to progress quickly up the career ladder. To qualify for this discount, there must be at least one full-price registration. Does not apply to Associate Members or to previous "emerging leader" attendees.

Registration fee includes entrance to all sessions, handouts, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, refreshment breaks, hospitality suite on Wednesday night, wine tasting reception, banquet and sunset desserts and specialty coffees at the Top of the Park on Thursday. Registration deadline is Friday, June 3. No refunds after June 3, substitutions are permitted. Cancellations are subject to a $25 processing fee.

Registration is closed.