Tuesday, March 11 - Michigan Day

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Breakfast Tacos with our friends from Outdoorsy!!!

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Details to come

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Midwest House is bringing together Lightship, Grounded, and Outdoorsy to explore how marketplace innovation and electric vehicle development are addressing growing demand for sustainable adventure experiences while making outdoor travel more accessible to diverse audiences.

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​Moderator: Ambreen Tariq, Senior Program Director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

​Panelists:

• ​Kai Twanmoh, Head of Brand Communications, AllTrails

• ​Molly Stoecklein, Head of PR and Communications, OnXmaps

• ​Camilo Barcenas, CEO, GOES Health

• ​Molly Morgan, Texas State Director and Associate Vice President, Trust for Public Land

• ​Toby Kraus, Co-Founder and CEO, Lightship

We’ve all heard the call to unplug and go outdoors. But are those two actions really at odds with each other? 

At a time when millions more are getting outdoors than ever before, technology has in many ways democratized access to the outdoors and empowered many newcomers to enjoy it in safer and in more sustainable ways.   

Today’s technology enables better access to online information about parks and trails, improving safety through GPS tracking and more accessible maps and navigation apps, growing and connecting communities through social media, and using tech to enhance outdoor gear and apparel, among other prominent use cases. 

But how can we manage the balance between increased accessibility and new technologies with our primal desire to unplug and connect to the natural world? 

In this 60-minute discussion led by Ambreen Tariq, Senior Program Director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, we’ll explore how innovations in tech and information systems have transformed access to the Great Outdoors by making it more navigable, wearable, shareable, and more. Tariq will speak with the following leaders in the outdoor recreation industry to learn about how they view the role of tech in the outdoors and how they’ve used it to create new transformative experiences for those exploring the Great Outdoors. 

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Featuring Jennifer Wangler, The Right Place + Jennifer Tisdale, GRIMM

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Moderator: Brad Garmon, Senior Strategic Advisor and Executive Director, Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office

​Panelists:

• ​Ian Solomon, Detroit Parks Coalition: Amplify Outside; Host of “Ian Outside” with PBS Great Lakes Now

• ​Stacy Bare,  Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Award-winning Filmmaker; National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

• ​Sasha Dingle - Meditation Athlete/Teacher; Freeskiing World Tour Champion; Fulbright Fellow; Founder & Director, Mountain Mind Project; Rossignol Athlete

​Research has consistently shown the mental and emotional benefits of time spent recreating in nature and the physical benefits of moments of awe that can be found in nature. More states and communities are experimenting with “Nature Rx” programs and other ways to connect the dots between talent, productivity, and healthy outdoor access.  

​ In places like Detroit, Grand Rapids and the Upper Peninsula, Michigan leaders believe that targeted investments focused specifically on improving outdoor access, adding more adventure and discovering moments of awe can improve community wellbeing and health, attract and retain talent, and improve economic prosperity. That idea will serve as the spark for a conversation with leaders and innovators dedicated to connecting people in urban and rural areas with the health and economic benefits of being outside and physically active in nature, and working every day to improve the health of people and communities through outdoor access.

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Moderator

Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan 
Panelists 
Alissa Jenkins, Business Development, Detroit Manufacturing Systems
Tarani Duncan, Chief Product Officer, Bloom
Richard Phamdo, CEO, Voltaic Marine

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Moderator

Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan 

Panelists 
Alex Taylor, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Orb Aerospace
Matt Benson, Director, Seamless Ventures & Operator, FLITE

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​Introduced by Brad Garmon, Senior Strategic Advisor and Executive Director, Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office

​Moderator: Colin True – Writer. Producer, Host of THE ROCK FIGHT Podcast

​Panelists:

• ​Stacy Bare,  Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Award-winning Filmmaker; National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

• ​Colin McCarthy – Commercial + Editorial Photographer / Director specializing in outdoor lifestyle, travel and documentary.

• ​Sasha Dingle - Meditation Athlete/Teacher; Freeskiing World Tour Champion; Fulbright Fellow; Founder & Director, Mountain Mind Project; Rossignol Athlete

​ Does Michigan have what it takes to be an Outdoor Recreation leader? Join THE ROCK FIGHT Podcast to hear stories from a diverse collection of outdoor professionals about the trip they took across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this February to explore the offerings including backcountry skiing at Mount Bohemia (#2 on USA Today’s 10 Best Ski Resorts list) to Ice Climbing with world-class mountaineers at the Michigan Ice Fest in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and snowmobiling the Lake Superior shoreline.

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featuring:

Tu Le, Managing Director - Sino Auto Insights

Ed Kim, President & Chief Analyst - AutoPacific

Steve Levine, Editor - The Electric

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Bilal Hammoud, Executive Director of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce

and

Ben Marchionna, State of Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer

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Details to come

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Dug Song, Co-Founder & Co-Chair, Michigan Founders Fund

Rishi Moudgil, Executive Director, Michigan Founders Fund

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Featuring Jaime Diaz, Cintra | David Neal, Mozee | Michael Woon, Retrospect | Michael Kelly, Mozee

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Details to come

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Navigating the fundraising journey is one of the greatest challenges for early-stage startups, especially in today’s unpredictable funding environment. In this panel, investors and founders will explore the pathways and challenges for Michigan entrepreneurs. The conversation will also touch on the impacts of a difficult fundraising environment over the past two years, the opportunities for 2025, and how Michigan’s unique ecosystem is positioning itself to help entrepreneurs thrive. 

Moderator: Mike Flanagan, Vice President, Capital Programs at Ann Arbor SPARK

Panelists: Crystal Brown - CEO & Co-Founder of CircNova

Josef Hjelmaker - CEO and Founder Electric Outdoors

Jim Tenzillo - Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund & Venture Next

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Featuring:

• Riley Hall: General Manager, Newlab Detroit

• Jack Gray: Head of Industry Partnerships, Newlab Detroit

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Create your own piece of Detroit magic during this unique jewelry making activation that uses remnants from fallen Detroit graffiti to create one-of-a-kind wearable art.

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Innovation drives productivity and growth when fully integrated with a region's leading industries. Michigan boasts a robust set of innovation assets, from research-intensive universities and entrepreneurs creating tech-based startups, to the funders who invest in them and the many government, nonprofit, and industry actors supporting the broader innovation ecosystem. It's an exciting time to be in Michigan!

Keynote speaker Larry Peterson will share insights on what makes innovative communities thrive. He and expert panelists will discuss efforts to fully realize Michigan's innovation potential and drive productivity and prosperity for all.

Keynote: Larry Peterson, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities

Panel:

Moderator: Saeed Khan, Associate Professor at Wayne State University,

• Panelists:

o Mike Psarouthakas, Executive Director of Impact Investments & Strategic Alliances at the University of Michigan

o Brad King, CEO, Orbion Space Technology

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Featuring Rebel Nell Bells Brewery, Carhartt, Via313 Pizza, and all your favorite Michiganders.

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Join the Michigan Economic Development Corporation at Inn Cahoots during SXSW 2025 for an exclusive keynote panel showcasing how Michigan’s bold, creative energy is driving real opportunities.

Celebrate Michigan Day with us and discover how the state’s thriving Creator Culture has helped innovators, entrepreneurs, and artists turn their passions into careers—and how it can help you do the same. Michigan is the place where originality meets opportunity.

Our guests — Rebel Nell’s Amy Peterson, performing artist Stoop Lee and restaurateur and small biz trailblazer Ping Ho — will give us the creator’s take on #MichiganCool. Don’t just hear about it—see for yourself why Michigan is the ultimate destination to innovate, create and originate.

Line-Up:

Moderator: Hilary Doe – Chief Growth and Marketing Officer – Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Amy Peterson – CEO & Founder – Rebel Nell

Ping Ho – CEO & Founder – Marrow, The Royce & Mink

Stoop Lee – Performing Arist

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​Michigan presents Detroit-raised alt-R&B icon, JMSN. An influential figure in the contemporary soul and alternative music scenes, the sought-after performer and producer brings his unforgettable stage presence to longtime fans and new converts at Michigan Day at SXSW.

​Join us, not only for a captivating performance with a special opening set from artist, Stoop Lee, but also an immersive experience that highlights Michigan’s thriving creator economy and bold innovation. Connect with visionary entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders shaping the future of creativity in Michigan.

​​Come experience why You Can in Michigan—where originality thrives, and big ideas come to life.

​Doors Open 7 PM | JMSN ​10 PM | Free | SXSW Badge Not Required | RSVP Does Not Guarantee Admission