If there’s one common denominator for all of us, it’s that we have to eat in order to survive. Most of us clearly like doing that in places other than our own homes as confirmed by the fact that the restaurant industry is Michigan’s second largest private employer, contributing nearly $18-billion annually to the state’s economy.
With that kind of impact, making sure the people engaged in the industry have all the tools to do it well is an ongoing concern for the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. To help facilitate continuous learning and best practices, that group has announced a new conference for hospitality industry professionals they are calling the Great Lakes Hospitality Conference & Expo being planned for a year from now.
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association will be hosting that conference and expo on October 20th and 21st of 2020 at the Suburban Collection Showplace located in the Southeast Michigan community of Novi.
The Great Lakes Hospitality Conference & Expo will replace the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Show, according to today’s announcement made by Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Winslow says, “As the leader of Michigan’s hospitality industry, our role is not only to advocate for our members, but provide education and insights to foster a thriving industry for the entire state.” Winslow adds, “We are excited to host the Great Lakes Hospitality Conference & Expo next year as the premier event of its kind serving the industry that provides nearly 600,000 jobs statewide.”
Building upon the success of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Show, the Great Lakes Hospitality Conference & Expo will be a larger conference with more education, professional training and certification than its predecessor. The Great Lakes Hospitality Conference & Expo will feature such opportunities as:
- Education seminar tracks
- Keynote speakers from the restaurant and lodging industry
- Speakers sharing industry insight on human resources, legal and marketing issues
- A robust trade show floor with new products as well as services and resources utilized in the industry
- Stars of the Industry and Industry Champion Awards recognizing Michigan’s best and brightest in the hospitality industry
- Numerous networking opportunities
Those who attend will have access to full meal and lodging opportunities accompanying the new conference.
The hospitality industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. Michigan restaurants currently employ more than 447,000 people, a number that is projected to grow to 479,100 by 2029. Michigan hotel properties contribute $10-billion annually to the state’s economy and employ more than 155,000 people.
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association is the recognized leader of Michigan’s hospitality industry, providing essential services to the food-service and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the association represents more than 5,000 Michigan food-service and lodging establishments. For additional information you can visit online at www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
