MEETING NOTES

Jackie Hilderbrandt introduced Perry Ballard, secretary of the Southwest Michigan Economic Club as the program speaker. The Southwest Michigan Economic Club is legendary on the international speaker circuit for its ability to attract world class names to speak at the Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan. This came about as President Mike Cook ramped up the club’s goal of presenting enlightened discourse on issues without taking sides to stratosphere in the 1980’s. Since then, the club has leveraged its treasury and its membership – as well as the fine reputation of the club itself – to attract 180 first class speakers. The Southwest Michigan Economic Club has hosted a Who’s Who in just about every major category, including 5 presidents, 3 first ladies, a host of international Prime Ministers and a plethora of political pundits and commentators from John Edwards to Charles Krauthammer. Perry also explained that hosting such high profile personalities was not without its challenges, but the Club has managed to meet those challenges and is one of the most respected venues on the circuit.