Destination Michigan is the go-to organization for destinations, hotels, venues, and service providers to open doors to new business opportunities. As a business leader, we can get so busy taking care of current clients that we lose that precious prospecting time. No worries! Leave the prospecting to Kim Corcoran's Destination Michigan!  They put you in front of the right audience at the sales missions, lunch and learns, tradeshows, and other marketing events. All you need to do is follow up and book the business! 

A key ambassador for this state's multi-billion dollar meeting and event business, Kim is a major contributor in getting meeting planners and resources together!  She knows every part of Michigan and that's why we asked her to meet us here on the Michigan Corners, where we talk about all things that involve meetings, events, festivals, and tourism here in the Great Lake state!

Michigan Corners | Let's Meet in Michigan!

Tim is in his 51st year in broadcasting, the longest in Michigan history. Tim joined WILX - TV in July of 1980.  While at WILX, Tim has hosted numerous coaches shows and has been on every CMN Telethon since it started in 1989. Tim has anchored all of the MSU basketball tournament specials and MSU Bowl game specials every year the teams have been involved.

Tim's successful and highly awarded career has many highlights and memorable moments.  So many of the coaches, great athletes, and events he has been around making for incredible lessons in business and life.  Called the "Dean of sports", Tim has so much to offer and share in this edition of the Leadership Lowdown!  Blow the whistle!  It's game time!

Leadership Lowdown | 50 years of broadcasting, a lifetime of great learning!

Leona Williams was destined to become a Country Music Entertainer. She landed her first radio show at the age of 15, simply called “Leona Sings” in Jefferson City, Missouri. That journey would take her all over the world and allow her to sing before thousands upon thousands of Country Music fans.  The lessons learned and the wisdom gained make this interview one of the most interesting in Leadership Lowdown history! Come laugh a little and get inspired with this graceful lady of country music!

Goerge Jones said ”Leona Williams is the greatest female country singer that has ever stepped up to a microphone.  She can make a grown man cry with her sad songs.  I love the lady and her music.  What a nice lady “  He's right!  I don't think I have ever encountered a nicer lady in all my life!  

Let's go a little country and hear an inspiring story!

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Leadership Lowdown | Grace, Class And A Little Honky Tonk

Jeffrey Mosher spends a few minutes with Ara Topouzian, Executive Director, for MVCA, the Michigan Venture Capital Association, Novi, MI while at the 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference, on Mackinac Island.
Reporting from the lobby of the Chippewa Hotel on the island, Jeffrey finds out from Ara the latest from MVCA, the overall venture capital sector across Michigan, his perspective on #MPC21, a key takeaway from the conference, a note that MVCA has an upcoming awards evening September 30th.

Michigan Business Beat | Michigan Venture Capital Association from #MPC21

Tony welcomes back Tom Gantert, Managing Editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential, a daily news site of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, for a follow-up discussion about the funding of news sources, and media's persuasive ways across the country and in Michigan.
They review crossed paths in their career, and then Tom's journey over the years and what he sees in media bias, along with how stories are covered (or aren't), and whether this trend will change.
When Gantert arrived at Capitol Confidential as Senior Capitol Correspondent in February 2010, he already had extensive experience as a journalist, having worked for more than 20 years at Michigan daily newspapers, including The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Lansing State Journal and Ann Arbor News. Gantert also served a four-month stint at USA Today as part of a Gannett Corporation loaner program. In 2008, Gantert was The Ann Arbor News writer of the year, and in September 2009, he founded Reporting Michigan, a nonprofit news Web site.
Gantert holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. He has two sons and lives in Jackson, Mich.
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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music open.spotify.com/track/7y23KC54uZ…fPSoq_BrEnoS9kUw

Media Business | Media and Their Persuasive Ways

Tony spends some time with Tom Gantert, Managing Editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential, a daily news site of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
They review crossed paths in their career, and then Tom's journey over the years and what he sees in media bias, along with how stories are covered (or aren't), and whether this trend will change.
When Gantert arrived at Capitol Confidential as Senior Capitol Correspondent in February 2010, he already had extensive experience as a journalist, having worked for more than 20 years at Michigan daily newspapers, including The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Lansing State Journal and Ann Arbor News. Gantert also served a four-month stint at USA Today as part of a Gannett Corporation loaner program. In 2008, Gantert was The Ann Arbor News writer of the year, and in September 2009, he founded Reporting Michigan, a nonprofit news Web site.
Gantert holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. He has two sons and lives in Jackson, Mich.

Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music open.spotify.com/track/7y23KC54uZ…fPSoq_BrEnoS9kUw

The Tony Conley Show | Episode 8 How Non-Profit Media Views Media Bias from Both Sides

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI.

This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference.

In this video Chris Holman welcomes Chris Andresen, Partner, Dutko Grayling, based out of Washington, D.C..

They discuss the lobbying services, and challenges, along with what he's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference.

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Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo

The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore solutions for Michigan’s most pressing talent and employment challenges.

The conference opened Sunday with workshops, the Association’s annual meeting, and a networking reception at the Gilmore Car Museum, providing an engaging start for attendees to connect with peers and partners.

On Monday, the agenda featured keynote presentations from Sharon Gai and Dr. Christopher Laney, who offered insights into global workforce trends, leadership, and the future of employment. Attendees engaged in a variety of workshops covering workforce readiness, training strategies, and employer engagement. The Exhibit Hall was a focal point for building connections between businesses, service providers, and Michigan Works! agencies,  (and also where MBN recorded its interviews from). While networking opportunities such as the Dessert Break & Headshot Lounge further fostered collaboration.

The conference concluded Tuesday with workshops and a dynamic closing keynote from Dr. Sherene McHenry, emphasizing leadership, communication, and strategies to strengthen Michigan’s workforce ecosystem. An invitation-only Executive Breakfast also gave business and policy leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas in a more focused setting.

Across the three days, the conference highlighted the critical role of employment in economic development. Employers learned about the tangible costs of workforce gaps, explored innovative approaches to upskilling, and built partnerships to address talent shortages. The emphasis on collaboration positioned Michigan Works! as a vital connector between business needs and workforce solutions.

By drawing together leaders from across the state, the 2025 Annual Conference underscored Michigan’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient economy through workforce innovation, business engagement, and talent development.

Michigan Business Beat on the Road | Chris Andresen, Dutko Grayling Understanding the Value of MW!A.

Chris Holman welcomes Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on to the Michigan Business Beat. They discuss infrastructure, adjustment to her first term leading the state, the prime business topic surrounding talent, and small business.
They also review accomplishments this year, such as auto insurance reform, and the efforts connected to getting a next state budget in place, along with challenges encountered by business dealing with the impact of worldwide decisions coming out of Washington DC.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer All About Business

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Rebecca Abel, Owner of Treat Dreams Dessert Emporium & D'vine Cookies, of Ferndale, MI. They review the topic - Building a Food Brand

During the conversation Rebecca covers how:
• She has had to be very flexible in creating the company to appeal to what the consumer wants.
• She has a strong passion for building her brand which has fueled her through the ups and downs.
• She tries to work on the business vs. in the business as much as possible and constantly is asking herself if what she's doing can be delegated of if it is important for her to do.

In addition to the food business she's also a financial planner money manager and single mom. With limited time and energy to get everything she focuses on working in areas where she's strong and prioritizing the most important things to get done each day. Finding the right partner took several months but has been an amazing asset to the growth of my company.

blog article: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/blog/rebecca-abel-building-a-food-brand-in-michigan

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Rebecca Abel: Building a Food Brand in Michigan | Michigan Business Beat

Mark McDaniel, President  & CEO, Cinnaire, Lansing, MI, drops by the MBN studio to discuss 2019’s Highlights, reviewing some of those with Chris Holman.
They cover recent news, including: Cinnaire Receives Affordable Housing Program Award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Cinnaire Receives $1 Million CDFI Fund Award

What Cinnaire is looking forward to in 2020? (Cinnaire's 5-year-plan).

Mark McDaniel | Cinnaire's 2019’s Highlights and Insights

The Michigan Business Network was on the road to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 9th Annual Detroit Policy Conference 2020 at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, MI on January 29th. This annual event brings more than 30 leaders who address Detroit’s ongoing path to economic sustainability and set into motion meaningful change in the city.

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One-On-One Conversation with Dug Song: Dug Song, Duo Security at Cisco

The Home of Business in Michigan. Get on-demand access to audio programs, articles and resources presented by savvy business leaders and industry experts.

Michigan Business Beat on the Road | Chris Andresen, Dutko Grayling Understanding the Value of MW!A.

Michigan Business Network

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