Go here to reserve your room at the Grand Hotel.

Go here for the 2025 conference program.

What are the conference dates?

This year's Outlook Conference will begin Thursday evening, September 11, concluding in the late morning on Saturday, September 13. General sessions will be conducted Friday and Saturday mornings. We are returning to a Thursday-Saturday format for this year! 

How do I secure my room at the Grand Hotel?

The Grand Hotel is once again offering a special rate for our conference for the evenings of the event. A limited number of rooms at the Grand Hotel are available one day before and one day after the conference dates. If you plan to stay additional nights, we encourage you to book soon as rooms are limited; you can select the dates on the hotel reservation page by clicking on the "X" date. Please contact MABA if you need help with accommodations. We strongly encourage you to book your room soon! The MABA room block will close on August 1 or earlier if the room block fills up, so book early to secure your reservation!  Go here to reserve your room at the Grand Hotel.

Can I play golf as part of my stay?

Yes! Your stay at the Grand Hotel comes with a complimentary round of golf which can be used any day of your stay. Cart fees are paid by guest. Please contact The Jewel Golf Course at 1-906-847-3331 to reserve your tee time, based on course availability. Mention you are with the MABA group for your complimentary round of golf.
 

Can I bring children to the conference? Do others bring their kids?

Yes! Children, spouses, and guests are absolutely welcome. Children often attend our receptions and the luncheon keynote. We even have MABA members who "grew up" attending this meeting and playing on the Grand Hotel porch! Families, loved ones, and friends have come together at Grand Hotel for generations to enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides against beautiful natural backdrops, elegant meals, and endless activities, creating memories that last a lifetime. We can’t wait to welcome you all to experience a Season of Connection at Grand Hotel!

What is the dress code for the hotel? 

As evening falls, the Grand Hotel transforms into a place of timeless sophistication, where every night is a special occasion. After 6:30 PM, the hotel honors this tradition with elevated evening attire in all main areas of the hotel. Ladies are asked to wear dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters, or dress slacks, while gentlemen are required to wear a suit or sport coat, necktie, and dress pants—denim and shorts are not permitted. Children 12 years and older are expected to be in dress similar to the adults. Please visit the Grand Hotel web site for additional information.

How do I get to Mackinac Island? 

If you have never been to Mackinac Island, please note vehicles are not allowed on the Island and you will need to make arrangements for ferry service from either Mackinaw City, or St. Ignace. For this service we have partnered with Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry. A link to their schedule can be found here.

To purchase advance tickets online, you will use our group promotion code MABA2025. Otherwise, guests can reference the Michigan Agri-Business Association or MABA at the ticket office upon arrival to make their purchase at the discounted rate of $28 roundtrip for adults and $19 roundtrip for children aged 2-10 yrs. old.

All overnight parking is arranged at the time of arrival. Guests staying overnight on Mackinac Island should drive into the Shepler's Mackinaw City dock for luggage and parking assistance. Overnight parking information can be found here. Shepler's offers two types of overnight parking, both of which are self-park: Standard parking for $20.00 per night, and Premium parking for $45.00 per night. Once arriving at the dock, cast members will guide you though the unloading process and provide instructions on where to park. Plan to arrive approximately 60 minutes ahead of your preferred ferry departure during peak travel times.

For additional information, or if you have questions, contact the MABA office at maba@miagbiz.org. We look forward to seeing you on the Island!