Image Credit: “Detroit Skyline” by Bryan Debus via Flickr, under CC-BY-ND 2.0 license. This post was coauthored by Local Assistance Committee members Stephanie Swanberg, Meghan McGowan, Ophelia Morey and David Stewart.
We’re excited to welcome you to MLA ‘23: Looking Back, Forging Ahead, May 16 - 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan! It’s been 33 years since MLA was last held in Detroit and we are so excited for you to join us. According to the Wayne State University’s land acknowledgement, “Waawiyaataanong, also referred to as Detroit, is the ancestral and contemporary homeland of the Three Fires Confederacy. These sovereign lands were granted by the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, and Wyandot nations, in 1807, through the Treaty of Detroit.”
Whether you enjoy sampling food and drinks, visiting historic sites and museums, listening to music, shopping, watching sports, or being in nature, let us be your guides to the special tastes, sights, and sounds of Detroit!
Restaurants of every flavor, breweries, bakeries, and more are within walking distance or a short ride from the Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Center (aka RenCen) and the conference center, Huntington Place. As you explore, be on the lookout for Detroit favorites like coney dogs, Detroit-style pizza, shawarma, Vernors Ginger Ale, Better Made potato chips, Germack nuts, paczki, and more! Our dining guide, which will detail all the many food-related experiences to enjoy in Detroit, will be released closer to the conference.
While you’re here, consider touring one of our many historic sites and museums, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, famous for Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals, or The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Did you know that Detroit’s art museums consistently rank among the top art collections in the United States?
If you’re more musically inclined, check out the Motown Museum. The museum is named after Berry Gordon’s record label, Motown Records. It is a hub for all things Motown, and is a cultural touchstone for Detroit. Or visit one of Detroit’s many jazz clubs!
Remember to check out this blog as the conference approaches! We will be sharing conference information and Detroit tips for your visit. In the meantime, check out our partner, Visit Detroit for more information, and guides to the city to get you started!