Membership Meetings

MHA Communications Retreat

The MHA Communications Retreat brings together professionals responsible for communications, marketing, media relations, public affairs, community engagement and brand strategy at hospitals and health systems across Michigan to learn, collaborate and connect with peers.

2026 MHA Communications Retreat

Oct. 21, 2026 | MSUFCU Headquarters Building 2

Join hospital communicators from across Michigan for a dynamic day of connection, fresh ideas and practical takeaways designed to energize both emerging and experienced professionals.

The 2026 MHA Communications Retreat will provide opportunities to learn from peers and industry leaders while exploring timely topics impacting healthcare communications. Programming will include public affairs strategies, peer learning and networking, professional development for communications leaders, and updates from MHA leaders on state and federal healthcare priorities. A detailed agenda will be available closer to the event.

Designed specifically for professionals working in public relations, communications, media relations, marketing and community relations within Michigan hospitals, the retreat will offer attendees new perspectives, stronger peer connections and actionable ideas to bring back to their teams.

Event Details

Sessions & Panels

Stay tuned for details for the 2026 MHA Communications Retreat.

Speaker Bios

Stay tuned for details for the 2026 MHA Communications Retreat.

Things to Know

The registration fee is $75 per person and includes breakfast, refreshments and lunch. Members are encouraged to register by Oct. 2.

This event may be photographed and/or videotaped. Your attendance will indicate your consent for the use of such photographs or videotapes for educational and/or promotional purposes.

Nearby Hotels

Attendees traveling to East Lansing may wish to consider the following nearby hotel options. Room availability, rates and transportation are the responsibility of each attendee.

  • Hampton Inn East Lansing, 2500 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, MI 48823; (517) 324-2072.
    • Located on Coolidge Road, near Eastwood Towne Center and within a short drive of the event venue.

Continuing Education Credits

By attending the MHA Annual Membership Meeting offered by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, participants may earn up to 3.25 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.

Things to Know

The MHA Annual Membership Meeting is a private membership meeting. Attendance is open to MHA members, meeting sponsors and invited guests of the MHA. Please contact Sam R. Watson, senior vice president, field engagement, with questions regarding membership.

You may register for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting online at www.mhaannual.org. All registration materials and appropriate fees must be returned to the MHA on or before May 23. Credit card payment is required when registering.

Hotel Reservations at the Grand

The MHA will not send a Lodging Form until a paid registration for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting is received and processed.

Important information about your lodging request:

  • A separate form must be submitted for each requested room.
  • Breakfasts, dinners (including the Thursday evening banquet) and the Grand Luncheon Experience on Thursday are included in the Grand Hotel’s room charge when meals are eaten in the main dining room or the Jockey Club at the Grand Stand.
  • The regular adult rate applies when children occupy a room by themselves.
  • When sharing a room with two guests paying the full rate, additional people ages 6-17 are $75 daily per person and those 18 and older are $149 daily per person.
  • Accommodations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If you request more than one room, your request will be assigned based on availability.
  • All accommodations are in the Grand Hotel until the room block is filled.
  • There is no guarantee of lodging in the Grand Hotel.
  • Phone reservations will not be accepted.
  • In accordance with Michigan law, the Grand Hotel is a nonsmoking property.
  • All confirmations will be sent to you via email from the Grand Hotel. Be sure to complete all information on the form.
  • To reserve accommodations for this meeting, complete the hotel reservation form and return it to the Grand Hotel. All hotel reservations must be returned on or before May 23. Confirmation of lodging will be sent after June 1. Questions regarding room reservations for the annual meeting should be submitted to the Grand Hotel.
  • In the event the MHA room block at the Grand Hotel is exhausted, the MHA will assist registrants with accommodations at downtown Mackinac Island hotels that have contracted with the MHA and are able to accommodate the lodging requests

Safety Protocols

The MHA follows local, state and federal guidelines and determines safety protocols and requirements for all face-to-face events based upon these recommendations.

Cancellation Policy

Registration fees less a $150 per-person cancellation fee are refundable if notice is given by June 11. No refund can be issued after this time. Registrants may send an alternate at no additional cost.

Spouse/Guest/Children Information

All spouses, guests and children must pay the registration fee to receive a nametag that permits entrance to receptions and events. This fee also includes attendance at any or all of the general sessions. Guests include children ages 18 and older and others who are not employees, governing board members or medical staff of registering organizations.

You are encouraged to register children for the full meeting. Children are welcome at the networking receptions and the MHA Annual Banquet. If children are not registered prior to arrival on the island, they may do so Wednesday and Thursday in the Welcome Area in the Grand Hotel.

The children’s evening programs provided as part of the MHA Annual Meeting are discontinued.

The Grand Hotel does not offer babysitting services.

Ferry Service

Discounted ferry rates to and from Mackinac Island are available to Annual Meeting attendees via the MHA’s preferred service, Shepler’s Ferry. The special rates are $28 for ages 13 and older and $19 for children ages 5 through 12. There is no charge for children ages 4 and under to ride the ferry.

To receive the discounted rates, indicate you will be attending the MHA Annual Membership Meeting when purchasing your tickets at the Shepler’s Ferry dock. If purchasing tickets online, the promotion code is HEALTH25. For more information, visit Shepler’s website at www.sheplersferry.com or call (800) 828-6157.

Attire

Casual dress is encouraged during the day, with business or semiformal attire reserved for after 6 p.m. Dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters and dress slacks for ladies are required, while gentlemen are required to wear a suit or sport coat, necktie and dress pants; no denim or shorts. This applies to all areas inside the hotel, with the exception of the Cupola Bar, guest room hallways and the retail corridor. Children 12 years and older are expected to be in dress similar to the adults.

Questions?

If you have questions about the 2025 MHA Annual Membership Meeting, email the MHA at annualmeeting@mha.org, visit www.mhaannual.org or call (517) 323-3443. Questions on room reservations for the meeting should be submitted to the Grand Hotel.

This event may be photographed and/or videotaped. Your attendance will indicate your consent for the use of such photographs or videotapes for educational and/or promotional purposes. 

Questions regarding the retreat should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

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