Agenda details are tentative and subject to change.

8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Registration, Networking, and Breakfast 

Location: Rocket Companies Exhibit Hall

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Detroit’s First Word

Location: The Kresge Foundation Theatre, Rocket Companies Exhibit Hall  

Sponsor: The Kresge Foundation 

9:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

Conference Welcome

Speaker: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
Location: Sound Board Stage

9:40 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.

Keynote Address: Richard Florida

Sponsor: Kroger

9:55 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

General Sessions

Location: Sound Board Stage  

11:50 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.

Lunch

Pick-up Location: Outside Entrance of Rocket Companies Exhibit Hall 

12:35 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

Keynote: Alexa and Johnnie Turnage

Speakers: Alexa and Johnnie Turnage, Founders, Black Tech Saturdays 

Location: Sound Board Stage  

12:50 p.m. – 1:38 p.m.

General Sessions

Location: Sound Board Stage  

1:38 p.m. – 2:08 p.m.

Accelerating Innovation

Panelists: Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, President, Wayne State University 

Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz, President, Michigan State University 

Dr. Santa J. Ono, President, University of Michigan 

Location: Sound Board Stage 

Sponsor: University of Michigan 

2:08 p.m. – 2:23 p.m.

General Sessions

Location:Sound Board Stage 

2:23 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.

Break

2:55 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

General Sessions

Location: Sound Board Stage 

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

A One-on-One Discussion With Mike Duggan

Speaker:Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit 

Location: Sound Board Stage 

Sponsor: Comcast Business 

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Reception

Location: Rocket Companies Exhibit Hall 

Sponsors: Downtown Detroit Partnership, Enbridge Energy, Kroger 

4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Detroit’s Last Word

Location: The Kresge Foundation Theatre, Rocket Companies Exhibit Hall 

Sponsor: The Kresge Foundation 

 

2024 Detroit Policy Conference - A One on One Discussion with David Coulter

Register for the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference.