Great Lakes Islands Summit
The Great Lakes Islands Summit is an annual gathering that unites leaders, residents, and advocates from year-round island communities across the Great Lakes region. Established in 2017, the summit serves as a platform for participants to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration
Each summit is hosted by a different island community, providing attendees with diverse perspectives and insights. Past venues have included Beaver Island (2017), Madeline Island (2018), Mackinac Island (2019), a "progressive" summit across four Lake Erie islands—Kelleys, Middle Bass, Pelee, and South Bass (2022), and the archipelago of Les Cheneaux Islands (2024). The events typically feature a mix of formal sessions and excursions to explore local development projects, educational institutions, and natural resources.
The summit fosters networking among island communities, allowing participants to share best practices, discuss common challenges, and collaborate on solutions. Discussions often address topics such as local infrastructure, tourism, environment, and sustainability.
Hosting the summit benefits local economies by offering cultural exchange, enriching the experiences of both visitors and host communities. The Great Lakes Islands Summit exemplifies the strength of community collaboration, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by island residents while celebrating their rich cultural heritage and shared commitment to island life.
Islands Summit
Mackinac Island, October 4-7, 2026
Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) will host its 2026 Great Lakes Islands Summit on Mackinac Island, Michigan, October 4–7. This periodic gathering brings together leaders and community members from island communities across the Great Lakes to share ideas, build relationships, and explore solutions to common challenges. The Summit will feature local perspectives from Mackinac Island residents including several days of structured discussions, networking, and collaborative learning.
Programming will include breakout sessions on topics such as tourism and marketing, island economics and advocacy, historic preservation, and local planning. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in field-trip experiences focused on housing development, environmental stewardship, and essential infrastructure systems, offering practical, place-based insights.
Registration will open in summer 2026.
Past Islands Summits
Beaver Island (2017)
Madeline Island (2018)
Mackinac Island (2019)
LAKE ERIE IslandS (2022)
Les Cheneaux Islands (2024)