Every year, hundreds of legislators, constitutional officers, lobbyists and journalists descend on Mackinac Island for a week filled with dozens of panel discussions, networking on the porch of the Grand Hotel and plenty of parties.
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reminded attendees, pacing oneself in both scheduling and alcoholic intake is important to a successful Mackinac Policy Conference.
While some major players in Michigan politics were absent this year – as the state’s congressional delegation canceled their appearances due to debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, D.C. – the conference featured keynote addresses from national figures such as former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria, in addition to numerous panels, interviews and press conferences.
This year’s conference had the theme “The Power of &,” with speakers and panelists being asked their interpretation of that.
Cuban focused on the importance of diversity in businesses, taking aim at conservatives criticizing “woke businesses” like Disney, Target and Bud Light, while Cheney urged working together across partisan lines to defeat anti-democratic candidates or movements.
Whitmer, giving her annual keynote, similarly took shots at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ feud with Disney, but also made news with the creation of the nation’s first state chief growth officer, a new role housed within the Michigan Economic Development Council, and rolling out the first pillar of her “Make it in Michigan” economic development plan.
Here are some previously unseen photos from the island, as well as a few favorites from our previous coverage.
Bill Ford participates in a discussion during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria delivers a keynote address during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria delivers a keynote address during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria delivers a keynote address during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria delivers a keynote address during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
The sun sets over the Mackinac Bridge on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella and University of Michigan President Santa Ono participate in a panel on "Talent Today & Tomorrow" during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist participates in a panel on "Talent Today & Tomorrow" during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella, University of Michigan President Santa Ono and Lansing Community College President Steve Robinson participate in a panel on "Talent Today & Tomorrow" during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers opening remarks during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Imani Harris, Evamelo Oleita and House Speaker Joe Tate participate in a panel discussion, "How Gen Z is Changing the Game From Strategy to Policy," during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson holds a press conference on the porch of the Grand Hotel during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor speaks at a press conference with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson holds a press conference on the porch of the Grand Hotel during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks to reporters during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
The sun sets over the Mackinac Bridge on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) participates in a panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) attends the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.), Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) participate in a panel discussion at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) participates in a panel discussion with House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) and House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) participates in a panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) participates in a panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) and House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney is interviewed by Devin Scillian during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
A pride flag flies from the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
The sun sets over the Mackinac Bridge on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney is interviewed by Devin Scillian during the Mackinac Policy Conference on June 1, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban speaks with moderator KC Crain during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Detroit Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem speaks during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a press conference announcing her "Make it in Michigan" economic plan with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) speaks at a press conference with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) speaks at a press conference with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at a press conference with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) at a press conference announcing Whitmer's "Make it in Michigan" economic plan during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) attends the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist is interviewed by the Michigan Advance during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, right, participates in a panel discussion moderated by Kat Stafford, left, during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, center, participates in a panel discussion with Celina Barrios-Millner and Isabel Medellin moderated by Kat Stafford, left, during the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 31, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
