Eight Islanders, One Big Idea: Collaboration
What were eight Put-in-Bay residents doing on another island in late September? Comparing notes with fellow islanders. The Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) Summit drew 75 attendees from 12 Great Lakes island communities, along with peers from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Prince Edward Island in Canada, to focus on one theme: collaboration. Over four days on Beaver Island, Michigan (September 21–24, 2025), conversations on housing, education, culture, island economies, health care, emergency services, and natural resources showed just how much we have in common and how much stronger we are when we learn from one another.
What is GLIA?
The Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) connects island communities that, while separated by miles of water, share remarkably similar challenges and opportunities. From housing shortages and limited health care access to preserving natural resources and celebrating culture, islanders often face issues that outsiders cannot fully understand. GLIA creates a network where solutions can be shared, ideas tested, and voices amplified.
Membership is open to anyone who cares about island life. Local officials, business owners, teachers, conservationists, seasonal workers, and year-round residents all take part. For Put-in-Bay, it means we are not alone in the questions we wrestle with and there is a wider island community eager to help each other succeed.
Summit Highlights
Hosted on Beaver Island, the 2025 GLIA Summit welcomed 75 participants representing 12 Great Lakes island communities that together span roughly 720 miles east to west. Guests also attended from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Prince Edward Island in Canada.
The agenda centered on collaboration, with breakout sessions covering education, housing, arts and culture, environment and natural resources, and island economies, health care, and emergency services. These sessions were not just conversations — they included site visits and real examples. Attendees toured newly built workforce housing, explored Beaver Island’s school and library, and discussed how museums, festivals, and community events keep culture alive on remote islands.
A keynote address by Jennifer Valiulis, Territorial Chief of Wildlife for the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife, added a global perspective. Her talk underscored the shared responsibility of island communities everywhere to protect fragile environments while balancing tourism, tradition, and growth.
Meals were provided by the Central Michigan University Biological Station, which also hosted sessions. Evenings included gatherings at the Beaver Island Community Center, with the summit closing on a high note thanks to live music from local performers. The event was supported by sponsors including Miller Ferry, whose contribution helped make the summit possible.
Put-in-Bay was well represented by eight islanders who contributed to discussions and strengthened connections: Russell Brohl (Put-in-Bay Township Zoning Board, Port Authority, Perry Group), Lisa Kutschbach Brohl (Put-in-Bay Township Park District Commissioner, Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center Board), Renee Fultz (Director of the Nature & Wildlife Center, Chamber of Commerce Board, GLIA Steering Committee), Amy Huston (local artist, Historical Society Board), Peter Huston (Lake Erie Foundation, Friends of Perry’s Victory, Shores & Islands Ohio Board), Jordan Jenkins (General Manager of the Park Hotel, Marketing Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, Put-in-Bay Daily), Bill Sulesky (Village Council, Planning Commission, Island Transportation fleet manager, Perry Group Board, PIB Yacht Club Food and Beverage Committee, property manager for Baywatch Investments LLC), and Patty Sulesky (Membership and Events Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce).
During closing reflections, a common word that emerged was “inspired.” Bill Sulesky praised Beaver Island’s leadership and said seeing their example was motivating. Renee Fultz called on GLIA to focus on bringing more young people into the network, recognizing that the future of every island depends on engaging the next generation.
Looking Ahead
The GLIA Summit is more than a meeting. It is a reminder that island communities are stronger together. From workforce housing to environmental stewardship, from tourism management to preserving culture, the challenges Put-in-Bay faces are echoed across the Great Lakes. The solutions can be shared too.
For those who attended, the 2025 summit was energizing. For those who could not, consider this an invitation: GLIA is open to everyone. Whether you are a business owner, student, seasonal worker, or someone who simply loves island life, there is a place for you in this network.
The location for the 2026 summit has not yet been announced, but islanders will gather again to continue these conversations. Until then, readers can learn more and get involved through the Great Lakes Islands Alliance at GLIAlliance.org.
