In one respect, the Michigan summer will end this year much the same as it is beginning -- with expansive policy discussion about Michigan's future and hyper-schmoozing among Michigan's business and political elite at expensive conferences.

The Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference will be followed in September by the West Michigan Regional Policy Conference led by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

Both events cover the same kinds of topics: the need for a more highly educated workforce, attracting and retaining young professionals, the role of manufacturing in the new economy, good government and education reform ideas, and speeches by statewide political heavyweights.

So, why two events instead of one? Why not confront the traditional Motown-G.R. competition (and stereotypical wisecracks over unions east of I-75 and wooden shoes to the west) with a joint event? Wouldn't that be a perfect example of leading by doing and showing all those Michigan governmental units how to collaborate and consolidate?

A couple West Michigan business leaders raised these questions in one of the hundreds of side conversations in the Grand Hotel lobby this morning.

So, East and West business leaders, why not come together in 2009? Or 2010? Or 2011?

We attendees can probably live with one boozy shrimp buffet instead of two.