Conference Mobile App
Download the free Convention mobile app on your smartphone from your app store by searching for “Michigan Municipal League” in the Apple Store or “Convention 2024” in the Google Store. The app will have exclusive information and notifications, so you won’t miss anything. Available after September 1!
Social Media
Stay connected with all that is going on at Convention and with the League year-round by following the League on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram. For the latest Convention updates, be sure to follow #mmlconv.
Name Badges
Convention name badges must be worn to gain admission to educational, meal, and social functions.
Guest Activities
Guests can be registered with Convention attendees to participate in the Welcome Reception and Vendor Reception. Guest registration does not include admittance to the Convention General Sessions or Breakout Sessions.
Meals
For attendees staying at the Grand Hotel, breakfast and dinner, as well as lunch on September 11 and 12, are included with the cost of your room. For those staying off property, meal tickets can be purchased directly from the Grand Hotel for the main dining room. Rates for non-hotel guests are as follows: breakfast $29.13, luncheon buffet $37.76, and dinner $85.23. This applies to all conference and affiliate event meals.
Community Excellence Awards
The 2024 winner will be decided by the entire Convention delegation. The four finalists will present their projects on Wednesday, September 11, immediately following the opening general session.
Vote for your favorite project/finalist at the voting table in the Art Gallery on Wednesday, September 11, 4–5:30 p.m., and Thursday, September 12, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Voting is also available in the Convention mobile app.
The League’s official auditors, Plante Moran PLLC, will oversee the voting tableand count the ballots. The Community Excellence Award Cup will be presented on Friday, September 13, at the closing general session.
The 2024 finalists are:
Brighton — The Brighton Main Street Streetscape Project
Grandville — Placemaking and Building Community in Downtown Grandville: The Commons & Market Pavilion
Houghton — Connecting Houghton
Oak Park — City of Oak Park Nine Mile Redesign Project
Thank you to all who submitted projects
Grand Hotel Dress Code
Per the Grand Hotel website, during the day, casual resort clothing is appropriate. After 6:30 p.m., dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters, and dress slacks for ladies are preferred, while gentlemen are required to wear a suit or sport coat, necktie, and dress pants; no denim or shorts. This applies for all areas inside the hotel with the exception of the Cupola Bar.
Ferry Transportation
Shepler’s will be the exclusive ferry service to Mackinac Island starting August 19, with ferries departing more frequently from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to the island.
Pre-purchased MIFC tickets will be honored by Shepler’s through the ticket expiration date.
It is important to plan ahead for this change in service.
- Please arrive at least one hour prior to your planned departure time.
- Purchase your tickets online with the League discount code (found in your confirmation email) to avoid lines at the dock.
- Park at Shepler’s and board at their docks. Guests with prepaid MIFC parking may use Shepler’s lots, or, if full, will be directed to an off-site lot with transportation provided.
Horse-drawn Transportation
Horse-drawn taxi cabs are available through Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. To request a taxi, call 906-847-3323. Standard fares per person apply and drivers are able to accept cash only.
For attendees staying at Mission Point Resort, transportation will be provided once in the morning to the Grand Hotel and once in the afternoon back to Mission Point.
Outside of these times, participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the Grand Hotel.
Bikes are also available for rent at various locations on the island.
Mission Point Carriage Schedule
Wednesday
Departing from Mission Point 11:30 a.m.
Departing from The Grand Hotel 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
Departing from Mission Point 8:00 a.m.
Departing from The Grand Hotel 4:15 p.m.
Friday
Departing from Mission Point 8:00 a.m.
Evaluation
An evaluation about your Convention experience will be emailed following the conclusion of the event.
Core Legislative Principles
In accordance with the League Bylaws, the Board of Trustees has considered statements of policy in advance of the annual meeting. Clerks from member municipalities were notified in July that the 2024–2025 proposed League Core Legislative Principles were available on the League website. In the Annual Meeting Notice, official voting delegates were requested to print the proposed Core Legislative Principles from the League website and bring them to the Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, September 11, at 4:30 p.m. in the Terrace Room at the Grand Hotel.
ICMA Core Competency Credits
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) offers a voluntary credentialing program to recognize professional local government managers and to promote lifelong learning. To assist managers who are considering or already participating in the program, the League will list one or more of ICMA’s 18 core competency (CC) areas for each of the Convention sessions. If you are interested in finding out more about this, contact Kelly Warren at, kwarren@mml.org, or 734-669-6310.
Explore Mackinac Island
Explore all that Mackinac Island has to offer. Check out recommended places to visit during your time on the island!