MAM Summer Workshop 2025
Building Age-Friendly, Affordable, & Alert Communities
August 6–8, 2025
Portage, MI
Thank you for coming, see you next year!

Wednesday 8/6
3 p.m.
MAM Board Meeting
*MAM Board members only
6 p.m.
Registration Opens
Location:
Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center
6151 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
6–8 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Location:
Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center
6151 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
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 203 E Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49002
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 – Download presentation
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.
11 a.m.
Portage Zhang Senior Center Presentation & Facility Tour
Speaker:
Kim Phillips, Director of Senior Citizen Services, Portage Zhang Senior Center – Download presentation
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 and Remarks from City of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
1 p.m.
Age-Friendly Communities Panel
Speakers:
Ramon Harris, Associate State Director for Community Outreach, AARP Michigan – Download presentation
Jim Mangi, Chair, Dementia Friendly Saline – Download presentation
Sadie Shattuck, Communications Analyst, AARP Michigan
Victoria Snyder, Mayor, City of Albion – Download presentation
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 – Download presentation
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
153 W Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49024
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
203 E Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49002
8:15 a.m.
Coffee & Networking
9 a.m.
Remarks from Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
9:15 a.m.
How to Strategically Access Funding for Water & Infrastructure Projects
Speakers:
Melissa Milton-Pung, Program Manager, Policy Research Labs, Michigan Municipal League – Download presentation
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.
10:15 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 a.m.
City of Portage: Emergency Response Plan and Emergency Management for the Chief Elected Official
Speaker:
Patricia Randall, Mayor, City of Portage – Download presentation
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 – Download presentation
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.
12:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks, Program Evaluations & Adjourn
Online registration has closed.
This room block is closed.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
500 Trade Centre Way
Portage, MI 49002
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
2025 MAM Summer Workshop Sponsorships are closed. Look for information this fall for the 2025 Mayors & Presidents Institute.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Gold


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