BENTON TOWNSHIP — A six-speaker regular season lineup, a Young Professionals special presentation and several newly introduced format and membership enhancements are highlights of the upcoming 2019-20 Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Speakers Series hosted by The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College.

The Young Professionals special presentation speaker:

Feb. 11 — Nic Sheff — Author, recovering addict, and subject of Beautiful Boy

“We look forward to welcoming this incredible mix of thought provoking speakers to The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan speakers series. They promise to share a wide range of relevant perspectives and inspirational messages with our audiences,” said Mike Nadolski,  executive director of The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College and director of The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan speakers series.

Format and membership enhancements include:

All speaker keynote presentations will be delivered in The Mendel Center mainstage, a change from previous years when main presentations were delivered in The Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall.

• Membership options that offer expanded levels of convenience and flexibility.

• Young professionals membership options.

• Reserved seating for all attendees with tiered pricing options.

• The option for all speaker series members to add pre-speaker dinners to their experience. Dinner tickets that remain following the membership drive will be made available to the public.

• The addition of 15-to-30-minute presentations by local topic experts or local entertainment during pre-speaker dinners.

“A lot of thought has been put into these enhancements. We continually look for ways to improve the sustainability of the speakers series. By exploring the possibilities and asking for input from members, sponsors, contributors, and community leaders, we feel patrons will have a more comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable experience this season,” Nadolski said.

2018-19 speakers series members have the first opportunity to purchase season memberships beginning May 1. If memberships remain available, registration for new members will begin June 5. Individual speaker tickets go on sale June 12.

The Speaker Line-up

Six regular season speakers are planned for the 2019-20 season:

Nicole Malachowski

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019.

First woman Thunderbird pilot, combat veteran, fighter squadron commander, White House Fellow and adviser.

Ann Curry

7:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 2,  2019

Emmy Award-winning journalist, executive producer & reporter for the PBS series: “We’ll Meet Again.”

Mitch Albom

7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 2019

Author, columnist, and radio host.

The Honorable Malcolm Turnbull

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Former Australian Prime Minister, 2015-2018.

National Geographic Live: Brian Skerry

7:30 Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Underwater photographer.

Henry Winkler

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Emmy Award-winning actor, author, director, and producer.

Format and membership changes

Keynote presentations & reserved seating

New this season, speakers will deliver their keynote presentations in the Mainstage, The Mendel Center performing arts theatre. In previous seasons, the speakers made brief in-person appearances to the overflow audience in the Mainstage and delivered the main presentation to Grand Upton Hall attendees.

By moving the main presentation to the Mainstage and eliminating the Grand Upton Hall address, attendees will enjoy a better all-around experience. More people will see the speaker presentations in person. All seats will now be reserved, eliminating the need for patrons to arrive early to secure their preferred seat. The Mainstage is also better suited for optimal sound, lighting, sight lines, and comfort.

“Utilizing the Mainstage to its fullest extent makes sense for the comfort and enjoyment of everyone as we welcome these distinguished guests to southwest Michigan,” Nadolski said.