Photos provided by Clark Communications.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- People interested in relocating to West Michigan will get a warm greeting at The BOB on Wednesday night in downtown Grand Rapids.
The 12th annual ReThink West Michigan event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's designed to give former residents the opportunity to connect with employers while they’re home for Thanksgiving. Rachel Gray, the executive director of Hello West Michigan, talked about it on West Michigan's Morning News.
"ReThink West Michigan is a casual networking event. Drop the kids off. Come as you are, you don't have to be dressed up. You don't have to be in a suit. You don't even have to have a resume. Just bring yourself and be ready for conversation. And be ready to take that first step of what relocation could look like. And it could be the next step in the rest of your life," Gray said.
Gray says employers will be on hand to discuss job opportunities with people of all experience levels:
"It's really nice and intimate. We give you drink tickets and appetizers. We also have community ambassadors on hand to speak with you. We'll have employers like Haworth, Corewell Health, West Michigan Works!, and several others that are there and ready to chat with you," she said.
Here is more information from a Clark Communications news release:
Local talent recruitment organization Hello West Michigan once again uses the most popular bar night of the year to network with expats who have returned home for the holidays. Called ReThink West Michigan, the event aims to connect local employers with young professionals who may be considering returning to West Michigan for work.
The event is designed around the holiday to give former residents the opportunity to connect with employers while they’re home for Thanksgiving. Originally designed for former Michiganders, the event also welcomes all college seniors and locals who are currently unemployed or have a contract ending.
ReThink West Michigan provides a casual, professional environment to network and discover career opportunities with growing companies in the region. Community ambassadors will also be on hand to share information on the lifestyle and community assets.
ReThink West Michigan is free to attend, only requiring interested attendees to register online at: www.rethinkwm.com.
“There's been a lot of press about Michigan's population over the last 6 months,” said Rachel Gray, Executive Director of Hello West Michigan. "West Michigan leads the state on growth, in part because of Hello West Michigan's efforts and events like ReThink West Michigan. Every Michigander can help grow the region by inviting an out-of-towner to the event."
Corewell Health and West Michigan Works! are the Regional Supporting Sponsors for this event. Other participating companies include: Acrisure, Amway, Cherry Health, GE Aerospace, Grand Rapids Community College, Haworth, Mary Free Bed, Meijer, SpartanNash, Specialized Recruiting Group, Trinity Health, and others. Companies are hiring in many fields, including IT, engineering, finance, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, art and design, professional services, government, hospitality, and more.
ReThink West Michigan is a part of a larger state-wide effort called Back to Michigan. In addition to the event in Grand Rapids, there are 4 other regional events happening November 20 - 30.
The award-winning Back to Michigan event series is considered an international best practice in economic development. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is a Back to Michigan Statewide Supporting Sponsor.
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