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MAM Summer Workshop 2025
Building Age-Friendly, Affordable, & Alert Communities
August 6–8, 2025
Portage, MI
Join your fellow local leaders in Portage for the 2025 MAM Summer Workshop! This workshop is an excellent opportunity to network with other mayors and presidents while learning critical skills and information to help you serve your community. This year’s program will include sessions on current legislative issues, creating age-friendly communities, emergency preparedness and response planning, water and infrastructure grants, housing affordability, and more. In addition to the exciting agenda, the event’s welcome reception and an evening in downtown Portage aim to foster community among MAM members.
Agenda
Wednesday 8/6
3 p.m.
MAM Board Meeting
*MAM Board members only
6 p.m.
Registration Opens
Location: Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center
6–8 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Location: Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center
Kick off the Summer Workshop at the Welcome Reception! Enjoy refreshments and light appetizers while networking with colleagues and exploring the museum. Included in the registration fee.
Thursday 8/7
Location: Portage Zhang Senior Center Community Room West
9 a.m.
Registration Opens
9:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks & Host City Welcome
Speakers:
Robert Clark, Mayor, City of Monroe, MAM Board President
Patricia Randall, Mayor, City of Portage
9:45 a.m.
Legislative Update
Speakers:
Jennifer Rigterink, Assistant Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Dave Hodgkins, Legislative Associate, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
The Michigan Municipal League’s State and Federal Affairs department will provide an update on current state and federal legislation.
10:45 a.m.
Networking Break
11 a.m.
Portage Zhang Senior Center Presentation & Facility Tour
Speaker:
Kim Phillips, Director of Senior Citizen Services, Portage Zhang Senior Center
The Portage Zhang Senior Center's Director Kim Phillips will provide attendees with a presentation about the facility along with a tour. In addition, Kim will share insights and perspectives from her role as president of the Michigan Association of Senior Centers.
12 p.m.
Networking Lunch
1 p.m.
Age-Friendly Communities Panel
Speakers:
Ramon Harris, Associate State Director for Community Outreach, AARP Michigan
Sadie Shattuck, Communications Analyst, AARP Michigan
Victoria Snyder, Mayor, City of Albion
Marian McClellan, Mayor, City of Oak Park
This session will feature speakers from AARP Michigan to talk about what it means to be an age-friendly community and how to obtain the designation. We’ll hear from mayor panelists from communities that are members of this network.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Housing Affordability 101: Understanding Costs, Data, & Financing
Speaker:
Melissa Milton-Pung, Program Manager, Policy Research Labs, Michigan Municipal League
Housing on the brain? This session aims to help chief elected officials understand financing options and tools available to support housing creation in their communities. Attendees will walk away equipped to handle challenges like rising construction costs, create development agreements, utilize tools like the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program, and more.
5–9 p.m.
Dinner & Concert
Location: Alibi Restaurant
Attendees and guests will enjoy dinner at Alibi followed by an outdoor concert at Overlander Bandshell. Included in the registration fee.
Friday 8/8
Location: Portage Zhang Senior Center Community Room West
8:15 a.m.
Coffee & Networking
9 a.m.
How to Strategically Access Funding for Water & Infrastructure Projects
Speakers:
Melissa Milton-Pung, Program Manager, Policy Research Labs, Michigan Municipal League
Grace Carey, Program Officer, Michigan Municipal League Foundation
Melissa Milton-Pung and Grace Carey will provide attendees with the information and tools they need to strategically seek grant funding for critical infrastructure projects in their communities.
10 a.m.
Networking Break
10:15 a.m.
City of Portage: Emergency Response Plan
Speaker:
Patricia Randall, Mayor, City of Portage
Mayor Patricia Randall will share the City of Portage’s effective emergency response plan and strategies for success if your community experiences an emergency.
Emergency Management for the Chief Elected Official
Speaker:
Jack Blanchard, Emergency Management, Berkley
Public Safety Disasters are locally driven events, and local officials should have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities for successful emergency management and incident response. This session will provide an overview of disaster response and recovery planning, roles and responsibilities, and tips for working with county, state, and federal officials. Topics such as damage assessment, debris management, the process for declaring a state of emergency, and seeking assistance will be discussed.
12:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Program Evaluations
12:30 p.m.
Adjourn
Registration
Registration for all events now happens in the League Portal Register online using the Portal below.
How to access the Portal:
- Visit my.mml.org.
- Follow the instructions on the login page.
- Navigate to “Event Registration” using the menu on the left-hand side of the page.
Contact portalhelp@mml.org for assistance with a new account, password reset, or any other portal issues.
MAM Members:
$250 Early Bird Rate (cutoff is 7/11/25)
$285 if registering after 7/11/25
Nonmembers*:
$365 Early Bird Rate (cutoff is 7/11/25)
$420 if registering after 7/11/25
*Includes MAM membership through 2025 for mayors, village presidents, and township supervisors of Michigan communities that are members of the Michigan Municipal League!
Guests: $140
Includes Wednesday welcome reception and Thursday evening dinner and concert
Registration and cancellation deadline is July 28, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Housing
Homewood Suites by Hilton
500 Trade Centre Way
Portage, MI 49002
Housing reservations can be made by calling (269) 382-5817 or by using the online reservation link below. If making reservations by phone, please reference the Michigan Association of Mayors or group code MAM.
Group housing cutoff for the MAM room block is July 6, 2025.
Parking and Transportation
Complimentary self-parking is available at the Homewood Suites and Portage Zhang Senior Center. It is approximately a 10-minute drive to the venue from the hotel.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Bronze Sponsor – Under $500 ($250 minimum)
- Name/logo listed on workshop program
Silver Sponsor – $500
- Name/logo listed on workshop program and promotional materials, including direct emails to 530+ Mayors and Village Presidents and event related press releases
- Distribution of materials onsite at registration table
Gold Sponsor – $1,000
- Name/logo listed on workshop program and promotional materials, including direct emails to 530+ Mayors and Village Presidents and event related press releases
- Distribution of materials onsite at registration table
- Name/logo listed on MAM event webpage
- Two free registrations at event ($400 value, travel and lodging not included, spouses/guest welcome)
Platinum Sponsor – $1,500 or more
- Name/logo listed on workshop program and promotional materials, including direct emails to 530+ Mayors and Village Presidents and event related press releases
- Designated display table for information and materials
- Name/logo listed on MAM event webpage
- Two free registrations at event ($400 value, travel and lodging not included, spouses/guest welcome)
- Opportunity to make a formal, 15-minute presentation during a designated mealtime or session of the workshop
Completed forms can be sent to registration@mml.org. If you have any questions, please contact Kaitlyn Bloink at kbloink@mml.org. We hope that you will find sponsorship beneficial.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Gold
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