As a Lifestyle Editor, I’m used to event pitches being lobbed in a variety of places and styles. But when the West Michigan Professionals Leadership Summit was pitched as I was roaming the aisles of a local bookstore, there was something really unique about event creator Tedi Parson’s polite and gentle approach as he explained their mission to make our young professionals a bit savvier as they navigate a city on the rise.
This new day-log summit aims to educate, encourage, and empower our local young professionals with an energetic and even fun-filled day of dialogue from diverse group of voices in our region.
With a keen on eye on retention of this generation, attendees will have a chance to attend sessions like Networking for Today’s Busy Professionals, The Power of Social Media, Creating a Strong Financial Future, Going Green in West Michigan, and the Importance of Diversity and Social Justice, along with many others including a post-lunch performance by local comic Stu McAllister.
While there are plenty of speakers to network and mingle with at this event, the Summit concludes the day with a call to action from Brett VanderKamp of New Holland Brewery (and recent Holland Is Ready equality supporter) who said, "Changes in our economy, technology, and manufacturing are creating a perfect storm that is sweeping away old business models and unleashing a new era of American entrepreneurship.” His challenge is to look at what you can create here, providing a personal overview of how his beer brand has blossomed in the fertile soil of West Michigan.
“Professionals are leaving West Michigan because they believe there is no future. It is our goal to educate, encourage, and empower professionals to seek-out new opportunities and create these where they don’t exist presently,” says Parsons, who is also the executive director of The Professionals Forum. “Through our strong regional collaborations, we are helping shape tomorrow’s world leaders right here in West Michigan.”
Admission: $99, includes lunch.
JW Marriott, 235 Louis Campau Street NW
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
More Info