The 2026 Basic Institute is Sunday, April 26 - Friday, May 1 at the Mt. Pleasant Comfort Inn & Suites Conference Center. For more information, please click here. Sessions start late Sunday afternoon with an Orientation at 5:30 pm and conclude Friday at noon. Orientation is required for first year attendees (second year attendees are highly recommended to attend and third year attendees may attend but are not required). All other sessions are mandatory in order to graduate - classes are typically from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. After hours dinner and networking activities are recommended but not required. There is also a banquet celebration on Thursday evening for all attendees. Attendance is not available virtually - all sessions are in-person only and are not recorded.

The Basic Institute registration fee is $599 annually. This includes all sessions, materials, and most meals - attendees are on their own for dinner on Wednesday and lunch on Friday. Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging.

Register for Basic Institute.

Basic Institute will be held at the Comfort Inn & Suites Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant. For lodging reservations, contact the Comfort Inn directly at (989) 772-4000 or online here. Make sure to say you're with MMTA to get the low group rate of $105-$129/night (plus applicable taxes/fees). Don't forget to ask the hotel how to submit your tax-exempt paperwork.