Speaker proposal

The Detroit Economic Club is happy to consider speakers who maintain our stature as one of the ‘most valued podiums’ in the world. The criteria for speaker submission are:

Speaker Criteria:

Mary Barra, Chair & CEO, General Motors (2024)

BUSINESS

  • Chair or CEO of a Fortune 100 company or global organization
  • Recognizable thought-leader in his/her industry
Secretary Janet Yellen & Governor Gretchen Whitmer (2024)

GOVERNMENT

  • Heads of State
  • U.S. Cabinet Members
  • U.S. Government: Senate/House
  • Majority or Minority Leaders
  • U.S. Presidential Candidates
  • Mayoral, Gubernatorial, Senatorial & Presidential Debates
Tom Izzo, Men's Basketball Head Coach, Michigan State University (2024)

SOCIAL

  • Leaders in areas of humanity, race relations, sports, entertainment and the arts

Speech Topics must be:

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO, SHRM (2022)

Timely and newsworthy

Dan Gilbert, Founder & Chairman, Rocket Companies (2024)

Forward-thinking

Jamie Dimon, Chairman & CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (2023)

National and/or
global in scope

Patti Poppe, CEO, PG&E and Jim Fitterling, Chair & CEO, Dow (2025)

THE DETROIT ECONOMIC CLUB DOES NOT:

  • Support political campaigns
  • Facilitate fundraising
  • Provide a platform for public service announcements
  • Advertise products or services
  • Host leaders from associations or non-profits

SPEAKER INQUIRIES MUST INCLUDE:

  • Bio of speaker
  • Proposed speech topic
  • Dates of availability
Mike Sievert, CEO, T-Mobile (2024)
Dr. Lisa D. Cook, U.S. Federal Reserve Governor (2022)

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION

The Detroit Economic Club receives speaker proposals throughout the year, and does not maintain a submission deadline.

YOUNG LEADER CONFERENCE KEYNOTE AND BREAKOUT SPEAKERS

To streamline the application process, all speakers must complete the same form (please do not send cold emails).

The conference committee will review submissions regularly from the start of the open call in February through the April deadline. If you are interested in applying, we will notify our subscribers by email and share updates on social media when the call opens. 

Please note that this is an unpaid speaking opportunity. However, it will provide valuable visibility within the DEC’s extensive professional network. Breakout sessions will present to one-third of the YLC audience. In recognition of their time, speakers will receive two complimentary conference tickets (one for them and one for a guest) and photos and video of their presentation.