Tech Week Grand Rapids Returns for 2024

Following the success of its first two years, community partners in Grand Rapids are excited to announce the return of Tech Week Grand Rapids in September 2024. This community-wide event is designed to showcase the region’s vibrant tech community and hosts over 13,000 attendees. Tech Week will take place September 16-21, 2024.

The Right Place is the proud organizer of Tech Week Grand Rapids, working in partnership with business and community leaders to make the event a leading destination for tech and innovation. The event is guided by an advisory board of over 35 community leaders, with Bank of America providing support as the Premier Sponsor. The Tech Week GR Advisory Board, led by Co-Chairs Dr. Philomena Mantella (GVSU), Jason Joseph (Corewell Health), and Mark Johnson (Michigan Software Labs), guides the content of the week, establishes annual goals, enhances user experience, and strengthens the region's tech ecosystem.

This open and collaborative "unconference" will feature events hosted by various organizations across the community. Applications are now being accepted for businesses and organizations interested in hosting a Tech Week event. For details on how to apply, please visit the Tech Week website.

Tech Week Grand Rapids 2024 will feature a diverse array of events and programming, including panel discussions, hands-on tech exhibits, networking opportunities, and more. Several large-scale events will participate, with more details to be announced soon. The schedule is continuously expanding, and attendees can expect updates at techweekgr.com as additional events are confirmed. Key events currently scheduled throughout the week include:

• Monday, Sept. 16: Tech Week Kick-Off ft. Stephen Dubner
• Tuesday, Sept. 17: Tech Showcase
• Tuesday, Sept 17: Tech Talks Speaker Series @ Twisthink
• Tuesday, Sept. 17: Tech on the Deck @ Michigan Software Labs
• Wednesday, Sept. 18: AI Session @ GRCC
• Wednesday, Sept. 18: Start Garden’s Demo Day
• Wednesday, Sept. 18: Tech Talks Speaker Series @ GVSU
• Thursday, Sept. 19: Tech Talks Speaker Series @ LaFleur Marketing
• Friday, Sept. 20 & Saturday, Sept. 21: Confluence Festival

One of the highlights of the week will be the Kick-Off keynote address by Stephen Dubner, co-author of the bestselling book "Freakonomics" and host of the "Freakonomics Radio" podcast. For more information about Tech Week Grand Rapids, including how to apply to host an event, visit techweekgr.com.

“Tech Week GR has grown exponentially since its inception, quadrupling in size from the first to the second year, and we’re eager to see where our third year takes us,” said Andria Romkema, SVP of Marketing and Communications at The Right Place, and lead organizer of Tech Week GR. “This remarkable growth is due in part to Tech Week’s wide variety of events and content. It isn’t just for the techies of our community, there is truly something for everyone at Tech Week GR."

“Tech talent development and retention are fundamental to our region’s goal of becoming a leading tech hub in the Midwest,” said Dr. Philomena Mantella, President of Grand Valley State University and Co-Chair of Tech Week GR. “This year, Tech Week GR will offer countless opportunities to engage the next generation of the workforce with our region’s growing tech community.”

“The tech industry in Greater Grand Rapids is thriving and Tech Week GR’s remarkable growth is an example of this success,” said Mark Johnson, Co-Founder and Partner of Michigan Software Labs, and Co-Chair of Tech Week GR. “We’re proud to continue this momentum and bring Tech Week GR back to the community for 2024.”

“Tech Week GR offers the opportunity to bring together our region’s leaders and innovators,” said Jason Joseph, Chief Digital and Transformational Officer at Corewell Health, and Co-Chair of Tech Week GR. “This year’s content will span across industries and further strengthen collaboration between our advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and tech industries.”