The Significance of 75 Years

Words: Melonie Leslie


I’m a frequenter of MCAA events throughout the year. But the Midyear trip is one of my favorites! Why?

Exploring New Places, New Experiences
The Midyear location moves every year. This gives everyone an opportunity to explore a new location or place that they otherwise may not have traveled to. Over the years, we’ve been able to go zip lining over the forest, paddleboarding down a river, fly fishing, tour a brick plant, tour great cities, horseback riding herding cattle, sunset gondola rides, exclusive tours of historical masonry locations, take a sunset dinner cruise and stay in well-known historic hotels.

This year I’m excited to check out Mackinac Island. I hope to check out a tour of the island and get a horse-drawn carriage ride since there aren’t any vehicles on the island. It also sounds like there are a lot of sweet treats around town to check out. I’m excited to see the nostalgia of The Grand Hotel and its history. Lastly, since I enjoy sunsets, especially sunsets over the water, I hope to find a nice spot to catch one.

Midyear Trips: The Ultimate Fun Break You Didn’t Know You Needed
We all decide to come to the Midyear trips for business opportunities and networking. What some may not realize is they are so much more than that. These networking opportunities become social events which lead to friendships and memories together. Over the years, I’ve met more and more people at Midyear events that I now call friends. Some of these friends have turned into some of my best friends over the years. It’s these interactions, relationships and resources that make the Midyear so fun, rewarding, exciting and unique.

Over the years, we usually decide to come early to Midyear or stay later so that we can have a couple days with our friends we’ve made before the Midyear events begin. This year will be no different. These extra days will allow us time together to be able to connect with people who understand our businesses, successes and struggles. But then we also get the time to visit and connect with each other about our families. This extra time allows us to do something fun together as a group and catch some extra mealtimes together as well.

One of my favorite memories of connecting early was in Lake Geneva. All the girls in our group came early to help celebrate Anna Wheeler’s bachelorette party and all the guys ended up staying after Midyear to celebrate Steve’s bachelor party. Then, at Midyear we all had a fun time because we found a great place where many MCAA members gathered at night to get together and visit as well as dance the night away! All this made for great memories and bonds together.

Why is This Year So Monumental?
This year is going to be extra exciting because MCAA is celebrating its 75th year! Not only do we get the opportunity to go to a unique location on Mackinac Island but it’s the location the MCAA met at 75 years ago. This is quite an accomplishment for an association. I’m looking forward to how the nostalgia of the hotel will remind us of and bring us back in time to thinking about 75 years ago. I also am looking forward to seeing a lot of old photos and memories from MCAA archives as well as connecting with other MCAA members about the achievements of the MCAA over the years.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Midyear Trip
If you haven’t come before or are wondering how to get more out of the Midyear trip, keep these tips in mind:

  • Stay Open: Embrace new experiences and be flexible—sometimes the unexpected moments become the best memories.

  • Explore: Find time to check out at least one unique experience or location at your destination.

  • Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Take the time to introduce yourself to someone new, even if it’s just one person.

  • Participate: Make sure to take advantage of the planned MCAA events and the unplanned! Join in to social gatherings you see. The benefits you gain from this will surprise you!



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