Grand Rapids – March 1, 2023
Confluence announces the theme and lineup for its 2023 Thought Series featuring leaders in education, talent development, public policy, and innovation partnerships. “The Future is Calling: Creating a Tech Hub for the Midwest” will explore the community-wide effort to transform Grand Rapids into a regional tech hub. Business and community leaders from Google, Corewell Health, Gentex, AEBentancourt, The Right Place, The Diatribe, Michigan Dept of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and others will explore the key variables likely to determine the effort’s success or failure.
“Our themes vary year to year, but the Thought Series is always focused on how West Michigan is moving the world forward in tech and social innovation,” said Brian Cohen, senior producer at Confluence. “This year we explore the opportunities and challenges of transforming our region into a tech hub. Leaders will discuss what can be learned from other communities that are successfully attracting and reskilling talent, how education can move beyond its traditional roots to become more project and skills-based, and how we can we create compelling storylines that help us let go of the status quo and move confidently toward the future.”
“We are proud to support this wonderful event,” said Mike Marsiglia, co-CEO of Atomic Object. “The Confluence Thought Series brings together many of our brightest minds to share stories and experiences around how we can continue to grow our tech economy. Events like this demonstrate how strongly West Michigan is committed to innovation and continuous improvement."
The two-day series is free to attend and runs April 18-19 at the Center for Interprofessional Health on the GVSU Health Campus in Grand Rapids. A livestream of each session will also be available. Complete details are available at www.confluencefest.com/thought-series.
Schedule: Tuesday, April 18
8:30a-8:45a: Welcome. Dr. Fatma Mili, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (GVSU)
8:45a-10:15a: It's All About Talent: Developing a Tech Base for the Future. Art Betancourt (AEBetancourt), Stella Michael (Corewell Health), Deborah Lyzenga (MI Department of Labor & Economic Opportunities), and Daniel Quintanilla (Gentex) in conversation with John Rumery (West Michigan Tech Talent)
10:30a-12:00p: Opportunity Stories: Learning from Others. Dan Chuparkoff (Google/Reinvention Labs), Jonathan Engelsma (GVSU), Robert Fleischman (Ferris State), and Rob Llanes (The Right Place) in conversation with Jen Wangler (The Right Place)
Schedule: Wednesday, April 19 8:30a-10:15a: Solution Stories: Where Grassroots Innovation, Community Driven Policy and Future Skills- Oriented Learning Can Take Us. Marcel Price (The Diatribe), Dr. Leadriane Roby (GRPS), Joanne Roehm (WMUx), and David Stout (Iris Technology) in conversation with Marion Siebert (Brightly)
10:30a-12:00p: Future Stories: We’re Not Alone. Prem Bodagala (Michigan Rise), Carl Erickson (Atomic Object) and Trista Van Tine (Michigan Founders Fund) in conversation with Crain’s Grand Rapids Business
Sponsors of the Thought Series include Corewell Health, Atomic Object, Spartan Innovations, MillerKnoll Foundation, City of Grand Rapids/MobileGR, and MSU College of Human Medicine. The official media partner is Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
The Thought Series was curated by a program committee that includes Jason Borowitz (Threshold), AJ Hills (Midwest Tech Project), Danica Hoseka (Warner Norcross + Judd), Michael Marsiglia (Atomic Object), Jen Wangler (The Right Place), and Janet Wyllie (Gateway Grand Rapids).
Founded in 2021, Confluence is a multi-dimensional ideas festival that connects the worlds of art, music, science, and technology through programs and shared experiences. The team produces a range of programming each spring and fall.
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