Michigan Townships Association

General Information

Attire—Business casual dress is appropriate for all events. Due to fluctuations in room temperature, MTA encourages you to bring a sweater or jacket for your comfort.

Cancellations & Substitutions—A Conference registration may be transferred to another individual from the same township or converted to  Conference On-Demand access for a $10 administrative fee. Refund of the registration fee, less a $25 administrative fee, will be made if written notice of cancellation is received by March 25. Written cancellation requests received from March 26 through April 8 will be subject to an administrative fee equal to one-half of the registration fee. Conference “no shows” or those who cancel after April 8 will be converted to Conference On-Demand access. No refunds will be given without extenuating circumstances. Hotel cancellation policies vary; see your reservation confirmation for details.

Confirmation & Credentials—A confirmation will be emailed upon registration (check your spam or junk mail folder if it does not arrive in your inbox). If you do not receive a confirmation within 48 hours of registering, or need to add or update your email address, call the MTA office at (517) 321-6467, ext. 226. The registration confirmation includes a personalized housing code that allows you to reserve a hotel room in MTA Conference room blocks at discounted rates. The housing website opens for attendees at 9 a.m. on Jan. 24. See pages 6-8 for details on reserving your hotel room. All attendees will receive an important “Know Before You Go” email approximately one week before the Conference with helpful event details and information.

Optional Activities—Pre-Conference educational events held on April 22 may be added to your Conference registration or purchased separately. Admission to the MTA Banquet on April 24 is included with main-Conference and guest registrations ONLY. Additional banquet tickets may be purchased while registering (see page 10) and on-site.

Parking & Shuttle Service—Parking is available free of charge at the Grand Traverse Resort and all hotels with MTA room blocks. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided to/from the resort and hotels with MTA room blocks running Monday evening through Wednesday evening. Note that shuttles service will not run on Thursday. Details will be available on www.michigantownships.org/conference and in “Know Before You Go” information emailed to attendees prior to the event.

Photography Release—By registering for this event, attendees grant permission to MTA to utilize their image or likeness to promote MTA and our events. Attendees waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product(s), copy or other matter that may be used in connection therewith or the use to which it may be applied.

Registration—Conference registration is OPEN! Attendees MUST register prior to booking your hotel room. Your confirmation will contain your personalized housing code, which is required to book your hotel room in MTA room blocks. Housing reservations open at 9 a.m. on Jan. 24. See pages 6-8 for additional information.

Registration CenterAll attendees must check in at MTA Registration in the Tower Lobby (Lower Level) on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from 7 to 11 a.m. There, you can pick up your registration materials (including credentials, bag and on-site program), purchase banquet tickets and get details on MTA Conference events.

Registration Rates—Registration rates for Conference delegates and their guests appear on page 10. Registrations must be faxed, postmarked or made online by March 25, 2024, to receive early-bird rates. Registrations received after April 8 are subject to on-site registration rates.

  • Conference On-Demand: Can’t make it in person? Purchase our “Conference On-Demand” package, which includes access to recordings of Opening Session, General Session and Annual Meeting, and 10 select educational sessions, plus digital handouts, exhibitor information and discounted rates on MTA book and product orders. Recordings will be available beginning in May, and those who purchase will have one year to watch (and learn!).

    Note that sessions will not be live-streamed, and “Conference on-demand” includes access to recordings only. In-person Conference attendees can get even more education by adding on the “Conference On-Demand” package for just $50! See page 11 for details.
  • Main Conference: Includes Tuesday and Wednesday educational sessions, Bendzinski’s “3-D” Welcoming Reception, Opening Session, General Session, Expo, Par-Plan Fun Night, MTA Banquet and Burnham & Flower Insurance Group’s Afterglow Reception.
  • Pre-Conference classes: Includes that session’s handouts and meal(s). Additional fees are required; see page 12 for session descriptions. Rates appear on the registration form on page 10.
  • Single-day only: Includes that day’s educational sessions, Opening or General Session, and Expo.
  • Guest: Includes admission to Bendzinski’s “3-D” Welcoming Reception, Opening Session, General Session, Expo, Par-Plan Fun Night, MTA Banquet and Burnham & Flower Insurance Group’s Afterglow Reception. Registered guests may also use MTA shuttle service. Note: Guests cannot attend any educational sessions or pre-Conference classes unless registered as an attendee.

Special Needs—Attendees with special dietary or accessibility needs should notify Kristin at (517) 321-6467, ext 230 or email kristin@michigantownships.org at least two weeks prior to Conference.

Ticket Xchange—Select your seat for the MTA Banquet at the Ticket Xchange (sponsored by Great Lakes Recreation), located near MTA Registration on Monday, or in the Governors’ Hall lobby Tuesday and  Wednesday.

Eats & Treats

You won’t go hungry at this year’s Conference with our traditional events—and additions that bring even more value to attendees. Throughout the week, you can enjoy:

• Drinks and desserts at the “3-D Welcoming Reception” on April 22, sponsored by Bendzinski & Co., Municipal Finance Advisors

• Select Business Solution Sessions, held over the lunch hour on April 23, include refreshments or lunch, courtesy of MTA Allied Service Providers

• Complimentary coffee before the Opening and General Sessions on April 23 and April 24, sponsored by Michigan CLASS

NEW! Complimentary drink tickets available from vendors at the Evening in the Expo Reception on April 23

• Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks at Par-Plan Fun Night on April 23, sponsored by Michigan Township Participating Plan

• Breakfast for all attendees before the General Session on April 24, sponsored by Consumers Energy

NEW! Avoid the lines by pre-purchasing a boxed lunch to pick up and enjoy in the Expo hall on April 24 (purchase on the registration form on page 10)

• A three-course meal at the Annual Banquet on April 24 (One banquet ticket is included with each main-Conference and guest registration. Additional tickets may be purchased on the registration form and on-site.)

• Complimentary beverages at the Afterglow Reception following the banquet, sponsored by Burnham & Flower Insurance Group.