2025 Physical Activity Policy and Systems Change Symposium

On May 20, 2025 over 65 leaders representing more than 50 organizations came together for a powerful day of collaboration, strategy, and shared purpose. Your presence helped make this event a milestone in Michigan’s movement to create healthier communities through physical activity.

We were also honored to be joined by leading national experts who brought a critical perspective and inspiration to our work:

  • Dr. Russ Pate shared the history and evolution of the National Physical Activity Plan
  • Dr. NiCole Keith provided an update on the current work and priorities of the National Physical Activity Plan
  • Dr. Laurie Whitsel offered insight into the mission and strategy of the Physical Activity Alliance
  • Dr. Eloise Elliott highlighted best practices in state-level physical activity planning
  • Dr. Robin Shook explored strategies and lessons learned in local physical activity planning

Mike Stack

The thinking of 50 organizations came together at the spring symposium, outlining messaging and tactics to get Michigan moving.

Karin Pfeiffer

Karin Pfeiffer brings the lessons learned from her work at the national level to advance the Michigan Physical Activity Plan.

Senator Kevin Hertel

Senator Hertel emphasizes how real change happens when lawmakers and community voices come together. He thinks Michigan Moves is a bridge to getting residents active. 

Their expertise helped ground our efforts in national momentum and underscored the importance of coordinated action across local, state, and federal levels.

The message was clear: Michigan is ready to lead the way in systems-level change—and the collective strength of this coalition is what will drive that progress forward.

Key Takeaways from the Symposium

1. We must develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy.
To advance the Michigan Physical Activity Plan (MPAP), we must communicate clearly and consistently about what we are doing, why it matters, and how people can get involved.

This includes:

  • Aligning messages across sectors and partners
  • Equipping stakeholders with tools and talking points
  • Broadening public understanding of what “physical activity” means—beyond just gym-based exercise to include play, active transport, movement at school or work, and activity across the lifespan

2. We must invest in and advocate for surveillance and evaluation.
Without meaningful measurement, we cannot track progress, justify funding, or demonstrate the value of our collective efforts.

This includes:

  • Advocating for state-level investment in public health surveillance systems
  • Developing shared metrics to measure progress across sectors
  • Building evaluation tools that support local programs and aggregate statewide impact
  • Creating accountability systems tied to outcomes—not just implementation

3. We must grow and diversify the coalition.
A broader, more inclusive coalition will drive stronger impact, better representation, and deeper community engagement.

This includes:

  • Identifying and inviting new members from underrepresented communities and sectors
  • Creating onramps for participation in sector committees and working groups
  • Sharing opportunities for involvement in community-based implementation of the MPAP
  • Expanding our presence across all regions of the state

4. We must activate our voices in policymaking.
Policy change is essential to sustaining long-term physical activity efforts—and lawmakers need to hear from us.

This includes:

  • Reaching out to local and state legislators to share our goals and the importance of the MPAP
  • Providing real-world stories and data that show the return on investment in movement
  • Encouraging sector-specific policy conversations tied to education, transportation, healthcare, and more
  • Building relationships that position the coalition as a trusted resource for evidence-based policy

Access Symposium Presentations

Below are links to the presentations given during the event. Please review and share these resources with your teams:

What’s Next: Sector Committee Strategy Development

As we move forward, sector committees will reconvene this summer to begin the next phase of MPAP implementation. The immediate goal is to identify one strategy per sector to focus on in the next 12–18 months—an early win that demonstrates impact and builds momentum.

Help Spread the Word

Want to help amplify the momentum from the symposium?

We’ve created a brief summary version of this update that you can easily copy and share through your organization’s newsletter, blog, or email list. It highlights the purpose of the event, key takeaways, and how others can get involved in the Michigan Moves Coalition.

👉 Click here to access the newsletter template

(Feel free to customize it to match your organization’s voice or formatting.)

Together, we’ve ignited a movement—one that has the power to reshape policy, transform systems, and unlock a healthier, more active future for every Michigander. Let’s keep pushing forward—with urgency, unity, and the unwavering belief that movement is a right, not a privilege. The real work starts now.