With the Mackinac Island Policy Conference about to get underway, the chirping is at full decibel: Nothing ever gets done on the island. It’s a lot of hot air. Just a bunch of swells drinking and eating fudge.
Even if that were true — and it isn’t — so what?
This is a private event put on by the Detroit Regional Chamber, paid for with the registration dollars of the attendees. They obviously find value in the conference, or they wouldn’t waste their money.
What do they get for their expenditure? Three days of stimulating conversation, interesting speakers and a chance to meet and talk business with people they may see only once a year.
A few politicians may be on the island on the public’s dime. If taxpayers don’t think that’s a good investment, they’re free to let the pols know.
But the overwhelming majority of those attending pay their own way. If they didn’t get a thing done other than socializing and overindulging, it’s nobody’s business.
Good things will come out of this gathering. They always do. Problems will be solved, connections will be made and projects started that will help make our state a better place to live.
But although it’s a policy conference, most of the attendees are not policy makers. Nothing will be voted on up here.
If past conferences are any indication, those who attend will walk away satisfied with what they got for their money.
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