Northville Chamber Member Breakfast

Northville Chamber of Commerce members, government leaders and residents are invited to attend a presentation on the eight assets that make for a vibrant community and how Northville measures up to those attributes.

There is compelling evidence that in a knowledge-based economy, if Michigan is going to remain competitive in the 21st century, focus needs to be made on “Placemaking”, creating desirable, livable places where young, talented, college-educated people want to live, work, play, and raise families. As a leading voice on urban issues, Dan Gilmartin, CEO of the Michigan Municipal League will share his thoughts and ideas on a course of action for Michigan. The Michigan Municipal League recently published the book titled The Economics of Place: The Value of Building Communities Around People, focusing on the importance of place as an economic development strategy. (Pick up your copy locally at the ). Research continues to show that placemaking matters more than ever, as an increasingly mobile workforce seeks out places before finding jobs and opening up businesses. What are they and people of all ages looking for? They are seeking out communities with walkable downtowns, access to cultural, social, and entertainment opportunities, and a variety of transportation options. Be a part of this important conversation as Dan talks about what it will take to retool Michigan to compete in a global economy.

Dan Gilmartin is the Executive Director/ CEO of the Michigan Municipal League (MML). Through his work with communities, Dan is recognized as a national leader in the fields of urban revitalization, placemaking, local government reform and transportation policy.

Under his leadership, the MML was recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as a "Cool Place to Work" in 2011. Model D Media recently referred to him as “an urban thinker with an eye for the small, oft-unnoticed changes that can make ‘places’ out of streets and buildings.”

Dan serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities and as a member of the Michigan Future, Inc. Leadership Council. He also served for four years as the lead advocate for Michigan’s communities in Lansing and in Washington, where he concentrated on a number of key issues including transportation, land use and urban redevelopment.

In 2010, Dan added radio talk show host to his resume as host of The Prosperity Agenda on News/Talk 760 WJR, which is Michigan’s highest rated talk station and can be heard throughout the Midwest and Canada. He is a frequent blogger and a contributing author to the book The Economics of Place, and a frequent speaker on matters pertaining to “place.”

Dan is a Michigan kid, a Detroit native (and booster) and currently resides in the historic downtown of Northville, MI with his wife Lori and two young sons.

Tickets cost $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. RSVP by Feb. 24 to the Chamber of Commerce.