Summer Conference 2026
Theme: Mission Critical – Critical Improvements to Infrastructure, Operations, and Other Pathways to Achieve Success
What is mission critical for your team? Are you confidently driving your mission forward—or feeling like you’re in a “mission impossible” phase?
What key strategies, projects, or processes are essential to your department’s success? Have you led an initiative that made a meaningful impact on your campus, your students, or your community? If so, we’d love for you to share your experience and insights.
We are currently seeking presenters for the 2026 Summer MiAPPA Conference: Mission Critical, taking place June 3–5, 2026, at Mission Point Resort on beautiful Mackinac Island.
Proposal Guidelines:
Proposals should align with the conference theme stated above. Priority will be given to submissions that highlight demonstrated successes (case studies) and innovative practices that inspire excellence and effectively address key challenges. Strong proposals will clearly showcase how these successes can be adapted or replicated at other institutions.
If you have a topic that would be of significant interest to the audience but does not align exactly with the theme, you are still encouraged to submit your proposal for consideration.
Are you willing to share your successes—or even the challenges you’ve faced—in achieving your goals? Join your colleagues and contribute to a dynamic conversation about what it truly means to be mission critical.
The Mission Critical MiAPPA Summer Conference is hosted by Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University – June 3 – 5, 2026. Questions regarding the conference can be directed to Michelle Holstege (holstegm@gvsu.edu) at Grand Valley State University.
Registration is OPEN!
Register here – If you would like to register as a Sponsor or Exhibitor – space is limited.
MiAPPA Sponsorship details for Summer 2026 Conference.
Register here – If you are attending as a non-exhibiting Business Partner, or are a Higher Education attendee. Early Bird pricing ends on April 1st! Spouse/guest registration for evening activities can also be found here.
The hotel block at Mission Point Resort is available. The block is open until May 3, 2026.
Reservations for the Mi Assoc of Physical Plant Administrators MiAPPA are available to be booked at the group rate for stays from June 02, 2026 – June 05, 2026. This special rate is only available for booking until May 03, 2026. Please be advised that the first night of your stay includes the luggage handling fee of $6.00 per adult.
You must cancel your reservation at least 7 days prior to the day of arrival to avoid the penalty of one-night room and tax charged to your credit card. Please note that all reservations are subject to a $50.00 cancellation processing fee.
Check-in time is 4:00 PM, checkout time is 11:00 AM. Due to high occupancy, we cannot guarantee an early check-in or late check-out.
Ferry Service to Mackinac Island
MiAPPA has again worked with Shepler’s Ferry for a reduced rate for ferry service from Mackinac City to Mackinac Island. Please use the promotion code 06MIAPPA26 when booking your ferry. This will also be available on site. The round trip rate will be $32.00/adult, $21.00/child plus a $2.00/person service fee with their new reservation platform. Parking rates have not been released for on site or extended lot parking with Sheplers.
PAST CONFERENCES:
Western Michigan University – Winter 2026 Conference Lean Spaces, Vibrant Places
Thank you to Western Michigan for hosting a great conference!
Winter Conference Agenda
Boyne Highlands – Summer 2025 MiAPPA Conference Evolving Facilities: A Mountain of Change.
Summer MiAPPA Agenda
Presentation Slide Decks:
Optimize to Maximize – Smithgroup, Tricia Beck
Modeling Energy Conservation at Scale – Affiliated Engineers, Andrew Price
Michigan State University – Winter 2025 MiAPPA: Celebrating a Multi-Generational Campus.
We would like to thank Michigan State for hosting the first Winter Conference since 2020! They did a great job. Below you will find some of the slide decks from the conference.
Agenda
Slide Decks by Tracks:
Track 1: Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy
Energy Efficiency: Where’s the Bang for your Buck?
Airflow Optimization for Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency
The First Step to Carbon Neutrality: Calculating Your Energy Efficiency
Avoiding Common Pitfalls with Heat Recovery Chiller Applications
Track 2: Innovative Campus Design and Planning
Harmonizing Spaces: Integrating Biophilic, Regenerative, and Universal Design to Promote Belonging
Designing with Input: Leveraging Stakeholder Feedback for Innovative University Learning Spaces
Leveraging Accreditation and University Alignment to Define Needs
WMU’s Mass Timber Adventure
Track 3: Facility Management and Operational Excellence
Custodial Department Evaluation
ASHRAE 62.1-2019 IAQP Made Simple
Michigan MEP Code Updates
The Old and the New
Track 4: Heritage Preservation and Modernization
Marygrove Conservancy: Maintenance and Upgrades Case Study
Bridging Eras: Preserving MSU’s Heritage While Building for the Future
Reimagining Existing Buildings
Harmonizing Heritage: Redesigning a Historic Music Building for Modern Education
Track 5: Friday Track
Campus-Wide Impact: How Innovative Project Delivery Strategies Can Influence Change
Leveraging Clear Goals to Enhancing Functionality, Identity, and the Student Experience
Revitalizing Campus Spaces: The Story of Secchia Piazza
Empowering a Multifaceted Team
2024 MiAPPA Boyne Highlands Presentation Slide Decks & Descriptions
Boyne Highlands Friday keynote by Jennifer Fields regarding Prevailing Wage is available for your reference.
It has been requested that we post the past conference agendas for use in continuing education credits. They are listed below:
Accounting Facilities Forum
Future Proofing Outdoor Sports Complexes
Lean Into Unique Projects
The Power of GIS
The Whole Wall: Case Studies in Integrated Wall Systems
2023 MiAPPA Mackinac Island Presentation Slide Decks & Descriptions
Focused Renovations – Monroe CC
Physical Security in Higher Ed Environments – People Driven Technology
Putting the Fun in Project Closeout – MSU/Miller Davis
Understanding the Ins and Outs of Sustainability Reporting – GVSU/Nichols
“Where’s the Men’s Room?” TMP Architecture
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Your Campus – PBA
2022 MAPPA/MiAPPA Joint Conference
2022 MAPPA/MiAPPA Presentation slide decks & descriptions
Please note not all presentations have been received.
2022 SummerMiAPPA Conference
Please note that the presentation, 10-Year Implied Warranty on Public Bond Projects by Miller Canfield and Allana Buick & Bers, has a very strict copyright restriction with each slide stamped. No slide can be reproduced without the written permission of Karim Allana, Allana Buick & Bers and James Spurr, Miller Canfield.
2019SummerMiappaConferenceAgenda
Winter 2019 MiAPPA Conference Agenda
2018 MiAPPA Summer Conference Agenda
Winter 2018 MiAPPA Conference Agenda 2.26.18
2017 MiAPPA Summer Conference Agenda
2017 Winter MiAPPA Agenda
Summer 2016 MiAPPA Conference
Winter 2016 MiAPPA Conference
