The DEC hosted Jeff Donofrio, President of Business Leaders for Michigan, and Ron Hall, President & CEO of Bridgewater Interiors, on Monday, May 2, at the MotorCity Casino Hotel. In a fireside chat with Chad Livengood, Senior Editor at Crain’s Detroit Business, Jeff and Ron provided a sneak peek of how Michigan can change its trajectory and become a Top 10 state and answered questions from the audience.

The DEC hosted Michigan State University’s Athletic Director Alan Haller, Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo, and Head Football Coach Mel Tucker on Monday, May 23, at the MotorCity Casino Hotel. In a fireside chat with WJR’s Paul W. Smith, MSU’s athletic leadership and coaches discussed the broad success of Spartan sports and the current state of college athletics. The event concluded with questions from the audience and a raffle for Spartan memorabilia.

The DEC hosted Jay Timmons, President & CEO of National Association of Manufacturers, on Tuesday, October 18, at Oakland Community College – Auburn Hills Campus. In a fireside chat with DEC President & CEO Steve Grigorian, Jay discussed “Competing to Win: Manufacturing in America” and answered questions from the audience.

The DEC hosted Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Mark Mendola, Vice Chairman – US Managing Partner of PwC, on Thursday, November 17, at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. In a fireside chat with DEC’s Steve Grigorian, Mark and Mark discussed “Is the Talent War Reshaping Business?” and answered questions from the audience.

The DEC hosted U.S. Federal Reserve System Governor Dr. Lisa D. Cook on Wednesday, November 30, at The Masonic. Dr. Cook discussed “The Outlook for Monetary Policy and Observations on the Evolving Economy” and answered questions from the audience.

The DEC hosted Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), on Wednesday, December 7, at MotorCity Casino Hotel. In a fireside chat with DEC’s Steve Grigorian, Johnny discussed “THE GREAT RESET: The Future of Work?” and answered questions from the audience.