Convention

MILC 2024 Event Header - with date and location.png

Join us!

Every two years the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention brings together lake enthusiasts, researchers, managers, and educators. The Convention is hosted by the Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership, a collaboration of diverse organizations with a common mission to advance stewardship of Michigan's inland lakes. We invite you to join us Grand Rapids, October 2-4, 2024, to learn and share the latest innovations and ideas in lake stewardship and to network with others who share your passion for lakes. Convening in partnership this year with the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), our statewide volunteer lake and stream monitoring program, this year’s theme is “Working Together for Healthy Lakes”. 

The 2024 Convention venue is the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel.

Agenda

The Convention will kick off with an Opening Reception the evening of Wednesday, October 2, followed by two full days of presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities on Thursday and Friday, October 3 and 4. Details will be announced here as they develop. 

Call for Abstracts

Our call for abstracts is now open and will close on May 19, 2024. We are seeking presentations and workshops that focus on current and emerging research, management strategies, policy, and education for conserving and protecting inland lakes, including topics relevant to volunteer monitoring of lakes and streams.

Abstracts may be submitted for a:

  1. 30-minute oral presentation
  2. 90-minute session (must include three 30-minute presentations organized into a coherent, themed session)
  3. 1.5- or 3-hour interactive workshop
  4. 5-minute lightning talk

Abstract submission guidelines

  • Submission deadline for abstracts and session proposals: May 19, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
  • All abstracts must be submitted through our online form and must include a title, abstract (summary), and names and affiliations of all presenters and co-authors.
  • The title of the abstract must not exceed 100 characters.
  • Abstracts must not exceed 250 words.
  • Speakers are expected to present in person and presentations will not be recorded or virtually available.
  • 90-minute session submissions must include an overarching session title followed by three presentation titles, speaker names, and abstracts for each presentation within the session.
  • The Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership does not endorse specific products or services. Presentations should avoid promoting an individual company or selling a product.

Submit an Abstract

Registration

Convention registration will open in July.

Lodging

The 2024 Convention venue is the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel. Overnight lodging is available at the Convention group rate of $149/night. The last day to book and receive the group rate is September 2, 2024.

Reserve a Hotel Room

Call for Sponsors and Exhibitors

A call for sponsors and exhibitors will be announced soon.

 


 Additional Convention Information

Continuing Education Credits

We will be applying for a variety of Continuing Education Credits for interested attendees. In the past we have been able to offer a variety of options, including Pesticide Applicator Recertification credits from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Convention Contacts

You are welcome to direct any questions you have about the Convention to the event Co-Chairs: Jo Latimore of Michigan State University Extension or Julia Kirkwood of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

We also invite you to stay in touch with the Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership by joining our email list, and following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram.