Chamber CEO Sandy K. Baruah thanks Tellem and the Pistons for assistance in conducting annual policy conference
MACKINAC ISLAND – With his voice catching and tears in his eyes, Arn Tellem made an emotional appeal in his remarks welcoming 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference attendees.
With the recent mass shooting incidents in Buffalo and Uvalde still fresh in memories, the conference chairman asked for leaders to address the gun violence crisis.
“We have witnessed two more senseless tragedies in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas,” Tellem said Wednesday morning. “If there ever was a time that we need to come together, it’s now. Why not start here?”
The remarks and subsequent somber applause served as a reminder that the role of business is evolving. The conference is typically a place where business leaders and government officials gather to discuss policy, but this year’s theme focused on the business community’s changing role in these polarizing times.
Tellem, the Detroit Pistons vice chairman, said the time for silence is over when it comes to issues like gun violence.
“At a time when our loudest, meanest voices seem to grow in power and prominence, we can no longer afford to be silent,” Tellem said. “Inaction is not an option. It’s our belief that companies should play a more visible public role on important issues.”
The Detroit Regional Chamber selected Tellem to chair this year’s conference, which had a distinct Pistons feel. In one of the featured sessions, Pistons owner Tom Gores participated in a Q&A session conducted by emmy-winning NBC sports personality Mike Tirico. Many Pistons representatives assisted in the planning of the conference, which takes place annually on Mackinac Island.
“Having Arn Tellem, (wife) Nancy Tellem and the entire Pistons Sports & Entertainment team as partners for this conference has been an amazing experience,” Chamber president and chief executive officer Sandy K. Baruah said. “From everything from thought leadership to content providing to all the things they’ve done to make this conference incredibly special, I just want to thank Arn and the Pistons for everything.”
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit mayor Mike Duggan, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Meacham, Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and many other elected officials were among the notable names that attended.
Tellem was selected after an eventful stretch since Gores asked him to join the Pistons in 2015.
The Pistons moved back to the city of Detroit in 2017 to play at Little Caesars Arena. In 2019, in partnership with Henry Ford Health, the Pistons opened a state-of-the-art performance center and world headquarters. Last year, the G League’s Motor City Cruise, in its inaugural season, helped to open Wayne State Arena, which was built through a partnership with the Pistons.
But even more importantly, the Pistons are impactful in the community with strengthened philanthropic efforts. Wednesday’s announcement that Gores has established a $20 million fund to build a new community center on Detroit’s west side drew the most applause during Tellem’s remarks.
The Pistons have also been at the forefront of social justice efforts.
Tellem recited the accomplishments proudly while also expressing confidence in the direction of the Pistons on the court with the NBA Draft approaching.
But with Tellem serving as conference chair and Gores speaking on Thursday, the Pistons’ off-the-court presence is leading the way.
In his opening remarks Wednesday, Baruah acknowledged the community engagement and social justice are areas where business leaders must engage. “This is incredibly important for all of us because this is new territory for business,” Baruah said. “Not long ago it was unthinkable for the business community to be talking out so publicly in the public square, but from social justice to the integrity of our elections to access to the ballot box to promoting vaccines for public safety, the business community has really found itself in a new world with frankly some uncertain footing.”