The 2024 SEA Strategy Session and Retreat, hosted by SEA board member Sonja Skerbeck and Mackinac Island hotelier Sam Barnwell, will bring together SEA Leadership and the leading H-2B strategists.
This meeting is strategically timed after prior to the 2024 election and the start of the 2025 H-2B season. By mid-September, we should have a good idea of DHS’ plans for its 2025 visa release and can better project the 2024 election impact on H-2B. We will reflect on lessons learned from 2024 and go over the various cap relief scenarios for 2025, including the Seasonal Employment Protection Act. Leaving this meeting, you will be armed with cutting edge information and analysis which will put you in the best possible position to receive your workers on time for your 2025 season.
What: 2024 SEA Strategy Session and Retreat
When: September 17-19, 2024
Where: Inn at Bay Harbor
Bay Harbor, MI (63 miles from Cherry Capital Airport)
We have reserved a room block at the Inn at Bay Harbor. The cutoff date has past but the hotel will still honor reservations at the group rate but must make them manually. Contact gdelany@sealabor.com if you need a room.
Full Meeting Registration: $450 meeting registration fee includes breakfast Wednesday and Thursday, Mackinac Island excursion including lunch and Wednesday night dinner
Meeting only registration: $200 registration fee includes access to general meeting and lunch.
FULL EVENT REGISTRATION:
MEETING ONLY REGISTRATION (local attendees):
Tentative Schedule:
Tuesday, September 17th
- Arrive. The closest airport is in Traverse City (Cherry Capital Airport).
Wednesday, September 18th
- Breakfast at hotel
- Mackinac Island excursion (transportation provided)
- Tour of island
- Lunch at the Grand Hotel
- General meeting. Agenda:
- Opening remarks by Carolyn Osolinik
- Unveiling of comprehensive SEA 2025 Strategy Plan
- DHS Visa Release
- Seasonal Employment Protection Act (Graham/Padilla)
- Preparing for prospect of Harris or Trump administration/impact on H-2B
- DOL update, Brian Pasternak, Administrator, OFLC
- USCIS update, Charles Nimick, Chief, Business and Foreign Worker Division (BFWD), USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy (OP&S) invited
- State Department/Consular Update, Dan Armenise, Visa Policy Analyst, U.S. Department of State invited
- Free time
- Dinner at Brandy’s Harbortown
Thursday, September 19th
Recreation Day
- Breakfast at hotel
- Seasonal Employer PAC golf outing at Bay Harbor Links/Quarry golf course
- Lake Michigan cruise
- Spa
- Explore Bay Harbor and Petosky
- Visit Wilderness State Park
- Dinner at Stafford’s Pier
Friday, September 20th
Depart