Reflecting on Our Journey: Tech Council of West Michigan’s 2024 Year in Review

At the heart of the Greater Grand Rapids tech ecosystem is our Tech Council – a driving force for innovation, collaboration, and growth. Our mission is simple: to help companies in our region thrive, whether they are providing, applying, or just starting to adopt digital technology. We do this by:

• Creating spaces for experience-sharing to help one another grow and overcome challenges
• Encouraging cross-organizational support and collaboration
• Promoting our region's tech talent and digital technology capabilities to customers outside of our region

Since our founding, we’ve been dedicated to more than just networking – we are a strategic catalyst that empowers companies to navigate the complex digital landscape, share knowledge, and amplify our regional technological capabilities.

2024 Year in Review: Notable Accomplishments

The past year has been transformative for our Tech Council, marked by significant achievements.

Tech Week Grand Rapids

The Right Place hosted our third annual Tech Week GR and reached unprecedented heights with a newly established 40-person Advisory Board. The event shattered previous records, attracting 16,000 participants across 70 different events throughout the region. With strategic goals focusing on tech talent development, private sector engagement, and community connection, we succeeded in creating one of the largest community-driven tech events in the nation, supported by over 100 participating businesses and organizations.

Breaking Barriers: Women Driving Innovation Across Industry

As part of Tech Week GR, we hosted a groundbreaking event that brought together four accomplished women leaders from diverse industries. This powerful panel shared their perspectives on the critical role women play in driving innovation across tech, healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace. The event wasn’t just a conversation – it was a call to action to break barriers and inspire the next generation of women innovators.

Mapping the Future of Angel and VC Investing

This year, we hosted an exclusive event bringing together the local venture capital community and top investors to discuss emerging trends and opportunities. The showcase highlighted top technology and innovation companies in West Michigan, sparking discussions on co-investment strategies, building networks, and positioning our region as a key player in the investment landscape.

Fostering Community Impact

This year we hosted four technology exchanges highlighting industry trends and welcoming leaders from across the country to share their expertise and insights. These events fostered meaningful connections among regional tech leaders, promoted knowledge sharing, and provided actionable strategies to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the tech sector. By creating a platform for collaboration, we not only strengthened our local tech community but also positioned our region as a hub for innovation and thought leadership.

Conversation with Outgoing Chair Shawn Crowley

To reflect on our journey, we met with Shawn Crowley, the outgoing Chair of the Technology Council of West Michigan. He reflects on his tenure, shares insights about our tech community's journey, and offers perspectives on the future of technological innovation in our region.

Celebrating Leadership and Transitions

This year, we celebrate a leadership milestone as we say farewell to Shawn Crowley, whose vision and dedication have been central to our success. Under Shawn’s leadership, the Council has achieved extraordinary growth and set the stage for an even greater impact in the years to come.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to welcome our new leadership:

• Stacy Paul – Stepping into the role of Board Chair, Stacy brings fresh energy and a forward-thinking approach to our mission.
• Chad Paalman – As our new Vice Chair, Chad will help drive key initiatives and build on our momentum.

Together, Stacy and Chad bring complementary skills, a shared passion for technology, and a vision for an exciting future for the Council.

Join Our Journey

Are you leading a tech team or company in the Greater Grand Rapids region? Let’s shape the future of technology and innovation in our region together. Reach out to Jen Wangler at wanglerj@rightplace.org to learn more about how you can get involved.