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About the Conference

Registration Open Now - click Register below to learn more

The Michigan Construction Leadership Summit (MCLS) is returning to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI, September 24-27, 2025. Join us for more than two days of educational and networking events designed for the leadership and management of ABC members in Michigan.

Email e[email protected] or call 517-853-2545 with any questions.

Register/Hotel

Registration Open Now

STEP 1: Click here to register now to attend the conference. OR avoid online fees by completing this form and mailing a check to ABC of Michigan

STEP 2: Click here to book your hotel room. Hotel room block is guaranteed until Monday, Sept. 4. If you need assistance booking your room please contact Eric Chappell at [email protected].

FULL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
Includes access to all meals, receptions, keynote speakers and breakout session

GUEST SOCIAL ATTENDEE
Includes access to all meals, receptions, and keynote speakers

REGISTRATION RATES

Full conference attendee:
     Member: $400 (before 7/31/25) $500 (after 8/1/25)
     Non-member: $600 (before 7/31/25) $700 (after 8/1/25)

Guest social attendee:
     Member: $200 
     Non-member: $300

HOTEL RATES - room rates do NOT include breakfast & dinner (meal plan), baggage, taxes, and resort fee. Please add the meal plan to your ticket to be included in all conference meals. 
   
 Double (two people) per night (Weds&Thurs)  Grand room: $500     Lake view: $606
     Double per night (two people) (Fri&Sat)  Grand room: $553     Lake view: $659
     Single (one person) per night (Weds&Thurs)  Grand room: $356     Lake view: $462
     Single (one person) per night (Fri&Sat)  Grand room: $409     Lake view: $515

Room Block Cut Off: 5:00pm Monday, August 25th, 2025

Please contact [email protected] with any questions regarding children attending. 

Cancellation policy: A full refund of member registration will be issued if requested on or before July 31, 2025. Guests can receive a 50% refund if requested on or before August 11, 2025. No refunds will be issued after August 11, 2025.

Agenda

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
5:00 PM     Reception on the Grand Hotel Front Porch
6:00 PM     Dinner & Opening Speaker  - Jimmy Yeary

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
7:30 AM     Breakfast & Keynote Speaker - Bob Tagatz
9:15 AM     Breakout 1: Michigan Business Leaders Panel Discussion
12:00 PM   Grand Hotel Luncheon Buffet with Keynote Speaker - Jim Morris
1:45 PM     Breakout 2: Michigan Developers Panel Discussion
6:00 PM     Evening Events - Speakesy Theme

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
7:30 AM     Breakfast & Keynote Speaker - Lisa Tarkington
9:15 AM     Breakout Session 3: Lisa Tarkington, Lead with Purpose
                  Breakout Session 4: To Be Announced Soon
10:45 AM   Breakout 5: Michigan Labor Law Panel Discussion
6:00 PM     Closing Celebration at Stable House

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
7:30 AM     Breakfast served in Main Dining Room (on your own)

   

Sessions

KEYNOTE & BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Wednesday, September 24 @ Dinner
Jimmy Yeary Keynote

Effective Storytelling

When you feel a story, you see it. When you see a story, you tell it effectively. Everyone’s life is a story that has been authentically felt and therefore can be drawn upon to utilize every emotionally valuable detail to move and inspire.

Thursday, September 25 @ 9:15 a.m.
Business Roundtable

Effective Collaboration for Positive Policy Outcomes
The 2023-2024 Legislative session proved to be a unique and challenging time for business groups across Michigan. With this challenge came opportunities for collaboration, growth and learning. ABC of Michigan will be joined by the NFIB, Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Manufacturers Assocation to discuss what lessons can be taken away from the 2023-2024 session, how business groups can collaborate and work together for better results for all our members, and how we can better advocate for a positive business climate in Michigan in general.

Thursday, September 25 @ Luncheon

Jim Morris Keynote

Dream Makers - Surround Yourself With The Best To Be Your Best

We all have dream makers and dream killers in our lives. Learn how to differentiate between the two and how to surround yourself with the best people possible to make you the best you can be!  Jim takes you through his life story sharing how dream makers and dream killers shaped him into the man he is today.  

A popular presentation that will keep your audience captivated as they move from laughter to tears and back again. Inspiration and motivation at its best! 

Thursday, September 25 @ 1:45 p.m.
Developers Roundtable 

Outlook for Michigan
A group of developer from across Michigan will join us to discuss the outlook for major projects across Michigan, the effect of State and Federal policy on the future of Michigan's construction industry, and opportunities for collaboration between ABC of Michigan on public policy in Michigan.

Friday, September 26 @ Breakfast
Lisa Tarkington Keynote 

Beyond the Job Title: What Real Leadership Requires Today
True leadership isn’t defined by a title — it’s revealed in how we show up when the pressure’s on, when clarity is missing, and when others are looking to us for direction. Lisa invites leaders to reimagine what it means to lead in today’s world. Drawing from her own journey of juggling multiple roles, navigating burnout, and redefining success, Lisa highlights a new model of leadership — one rooted in self-awareness, intentional communication, and sustainable practices. More than just inspiration, she equips participants with real tools to lead with purpose and presence. Whether you’re an executive, a team lead, or an emerging leader, you’ll walk away with the strategies to lead not just with a title, but with impact.

Friday, September 26 @ 9:15 a.m

Lisa Tarkington

Lead with Purpose

Knowing your purpose isn’t just inspiring—it’s essential for authentic leadership. When you’re clear on your “why,” you lead with confidence, resilience, and intention—and you naturally influence others to do the same. In this interactive session, Lisa will guide you in discovering and articulating your unique purpose, connecting it to both your personal and professional identity.

Friday, September 26 @ 10:45 a.m.
Labor Law Update
A panel of Michigan labor law experts will discuss changes in Michigan labor law over the past two years.

Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Bob Tagatz, Resident Historian at Grand Hotel 

Named an Historic Hotels of America Historian of the Year, Bob Tagatz is a natural storyteller. He will intrigue you with information about the hotel’s history and how the Island and the hotel came to be what they are today.

Jimmy Yeary

Jimmy Yeary is the rarest of speakers. Because his content is filled with instantly recognizable moments, audiences are quickly taken to a high level of energy. For well over a decade, he has influenced millions of people--how they think and what they think about--on a daily basis. Jimmy Yeary is not only a highly sought-after speaker, he is a hugely successful songwriter and his music is all around you.

Jimmy Yeary was writing songs long before becoming the lead singer of the Grammy Award winning supergroup SHENANDOAH. These were years that saw Jimmy performing #1 hits like Mama Knows, Somewhere In the Vicinity of the Heart, and Sunday in the South.

Today, in Nashville and Los Angeles, one of the most common calls in the music industry is from an artist's representative to Sony Publishing requesting availability on songs from Jimmy Yeary's catalogue of music.

It's not surprising. Jimmy has written more than two-thousand songs, many of which have been featured on albums selling millions of copies--Grammy winners, gold and platinum awards among them. Nine of Jimmy's songs have been certified "Number 1" hits as singles by Billboard Magazine.

Recently, both the CMA and ACM awarded Jimmy Yeary with "Song of the Year" for I Drive Your Truck--the inspiring song he wrote about the father of a fallen soldier and how he continues to remember his son. Jimmy's most recent Number 1 was Everything's Gonna Be Alright, a song he wrote for Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy.

He has also been called "one of the most engaging speakers in the country". Jimmy takes the lessons he has learned and the experiences he has encountered in his music career and applies them to the process of creating results for businesses, organizations, and teams.

Facilitating growth while creating and maintaining significant relationships has become Jimmy's trademark as a communicator. Emotional awareness, a greater understanding of other people, and the shared experiences that build an effective team herald the genius of Jimmy Yeary. Not only can he speak to who you are as an organization, he will put it to music!

Jim Morris

Jim Morris was a high school science teacher and coach in west Texas who miraculously made it to the Major Leagues at the age of 35. His life story made cinematic history with the heartwarming and unforgettable Disney movie, The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid. Jim pitched two seasons for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays reaching speeds up to 102mph and chose to retire to raise his children.  Since 2000, Jim has been a highly sought-after motivational speaker traveling the world inspiring audiences to follow their dreams and never give up.  

In his latest book, Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to Be Your Best, Jim shares more of his incredible life story including the people who helped make him the success he is today: his Dream Makers.  

Jim has been honored to receive a Lifetime Achievement award from the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation, a CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment for The Rookie, has been involved with BCFS, Arms of Hope, Texas Youth Commission and other philanthropic efforts. He launched his own Foundation in 2015 giving back to underserved communities and children. Jim and his wife, Shawna, have raised five children and live near San Antonio.        

 

Lisa Tarkington

A Leadership Consultant and Associate Certified Coach through ICF, is also the visionary force behind Lead – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the host of ‘The Confident Podcast’. With a decade of experience across corporate and entrepreneurial leadership, Lisa has led global communication initiatives, driven strategic business development, built scalable programs, and coached leaders through pivotal transitions. Lisa holds a degree in Communications from Michigan State University, a certification in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania, and is trained in Positive Psychology, Co-Active Coaching and Mental Health First Aid. Lisa’s contributions have earned her numerous honors, including Coach of the Year, the Athena Award, Ruby Award and Inspiring Female Entrepreneur Award

 

 

 

BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS - Coming Soon!
 

 

 

 

 

Sponsorship

Inquire about sponsoring the 2025 Michigan Construction Leadership Summit by contacting Eric Chappell at [email protected] or calling 517.853.2545.

Sponsorship Deadline: August 13th, 2025

Check out our sponsorship flyer HERE.