Tag Archives: Hello West Michigan

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

Living is easy with eyes closed.

The Beatles

On the road again…

First comes the meet-and-greet with council members and city officials. And then, the grand affair — the meeting proper — at 7pm. This past Monday marked the Wyoming City Council’s first summer outdoor meeting. Read all about it here.


The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7pm. The July “on the road” meeting will be July 15 at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park Ave. SW, and the August meeting is Aug. 19 at Aurora Pond Senior Living & Retirement Community, 2380 Aurora Pond Dr. SW. Beats being cooped up indoors.


You’re only young once

Hello West Michigan, West Michigan’s regional talent attraction and retention organization, will host its 6thannual Intern Connect conference on Wednesday, June 19, in Grand Rapids. The organization hopes to impart “essential skills” such as interpreting dress codes, navigating networking events, creating positive workplace communication and how to #adult to the more than 350 summer interns participating in the conference. More info here.

‘I could be a contender’

Recently, students and teachers gathered in the Kelloggsville High School auditorium for a time-honored tradition: signing day. The tables on the stage had logoed caps and contracts just waiting for signatures from high school seniors, ready to commit to a team for the coming year. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

142.18

The number of licks it takes to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop.
You’re welcome.


In town for Thanksgiving? Head to the bar for a possible job interview

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Grand Rapids’ The B.O.B. is one of six locations for the ReThink West Michigan event on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

By Elizabeth Voltz

WKTV Intern

 

Have a friend or relative coming back to West Michigan for turkey on Thanksgiving? Want to entice them to stay? Or are you looking to move to or back to West Michigan?

 

Well, 43 companies and non-profits want you to help with special interviews at several West Michigan bars on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan are once again hosting the annual event, titled ReThink West Michigan, which runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in hopes of filling up job holes with young professionals.

 

“When someone wants to relocate here, they usually just have to apply online or try really hard to network virtually,” said Cindy Brown, executive director of Hello West Michigan and vice president of talent initiatives at The Right Place, Inc. “ReThink West Michigan gives interested candidates a chance to connect face-to-face. We’re highlighting the things people want to know about when they think about relocating: career opportunities and lifestyle in West Michigan.” 

 

The Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development collaborated with West Michigan Development Collaborative to host events in Grand Rapids, Hastings, Ludington, Muskegon, Naugatuck and Fremont.

 

The event in Grand Rapids will be in Eve at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW. The other locations are:

 

Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Hwy., Douglas

 

Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, 105 E. State St., Hastings

 

The Block (above Unruly Brewing), 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon

 

Ludington Bay Brewing Co., 515 James St., Ludington

 

Lakes 23 Restaurant and Pub, 1100 Ramshorn Dr., Fremont

 

Saugatuck Brewing Company also is participating on Wednesday’s ReThink West Michigan event.

ReThink West Michigan aims to provide a casual environment to network and talk to many professionals in the area. The past six events had a turn out of more than 800 candidates, 65 of which were hired.

 

Amway, Haworth, Meijer, Spectrum Health, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Express Employment Professionals, Mercy Health, Northwestern Mutual, Ranir, Suburban Inns, Steelcase, West Michigan Works! and X Rite Inc. will be participating at the event in Grand Rapids.

 

“Companies in West Michigan are continuing to grow at a fast pace, but many face constraints when it comes to finding talent,” said Rachel Bartels, program manager at Hello West Michigan. “The labor market in the region remains tight, and there are hundreds of positions available. We know that in order to meet demand we will need to attract talent to the area, and who better to fill those jobs than former West Michiganders.”

 

Register for free at www.rethink.com. 

Local partners hope career event connects former West Michiganders with career opportunities in region

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On Nov. 22, The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan will partner to attract talent back to West Michigan. The two organizations, regional partners, and several local businesses will host the sixth annual ReThink West Michigan event, an evening gathering to attract former West Michiganders back to the region. The Thanksgiving Eve tradition has expanded for 2017 to a multilocation event.

 

With support from Pure Michigan Talent Connect and in collaboration with the West Michigan Economic Development Collaborative, the event is from 5:30 – 8  p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at five West Michigan venues:

 

  • Eve at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW
  • Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, 105 E. State St., Hastings
  • The Stearns Hotel, 212 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington
  • The Block, above Unruly Brewing, 360 Western Ave., Muskegon
  • Brew Merchant, 442 Washington Ave., Holland.

 

On a day when many former West Michigan students and professionals are back in the area for the Thanksgiving holiday, 31 area companies and several nonprofit organizations are coming together to convince them that it is time to “rethink” West Michigan.

 

Designed not as a traditional career fair, ReThink West Michigan provides a casual, professional environment to network and discover many of the great career possibilities and growing companies in the region.

 

“This event is truly unique because it is solely for former West Michigan residents that have moved away. We’re highlighting the things people want to know about when they think about relocating: career opportunities and lifestyle in West Michigan,” said Cindy Brown, Executive Director of Hello West Michigan.

 

“Through collaboration, we’re able to bring the ReThink event to Barry County,” said Travis Alden, President of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Alliance, a member of the group collaborating to make the expansion of ReThink West Michigan possible. “We’re able to showcase regional employers that have openings all over West Michigan like Spectrum Health, as well as local employers headquartered in Barry County like Hastings City Bank and FlexFab.”

 

The event is free to attend, only requiring interested attendees to register online at: www.rethinkwm.com. The last four annual events attracted over 550 professionals in total, resulting in over 53 hires.

 

“West Michigan companies are growing at an unprecedented rate,” said Tim Mroz, vice president, Marketing and Communications of The Right Place, Inc. “But their growth is limited by access to talent. We have hundreds of positions available, with a specific need in the areas of engineering and technology, and we would love to see former Michiganders come home to these jobs.”

Adopted Animals are Always Welcome at 616 Lofts

Local Business, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, , , ,

616 Lofts LogoBy: Justin Kiewel

 

Last year the Humane Society of West Michigan had a total of 3,038 animals adopted into loving homes where they can spend the rest of their lives in happiness and comfort. Many people could not imagine living without their furry companions, and the recently opened 616 Lofts, located at 740 Michigan Ave. NE, is happy to announce that it will be a pet-friendly community.

 

Come join 616 Lofts, in collaboration with Hello West Michigan and the Humane Society of West Michigan, on February 4th to celebrate the pets you can’t live without! The mixer will run from 5-7pm at 616 Lofts.

Courtesy of Humane Society of West Michigan
Courtesy of Humane Society of West Michigan

 

The collaboration of the two groups has both directors very excited about what each organization can bring to the table for the community and for each other. Humane Society of West Michigan Executive Director, Tammy Hagedorn, said in a press release, “It is our vision to build a more compassionate community where all animals are given the care they deserve. We are thrilled to partner with 616 Lofts, who shares in this vision by offering pet friendly homes in Grand Rapids.”

 

Likewise, 616 Director of Development, Monica Steimle shared nothing but kind words and excitement about animals in the community and the collaboration between 616 Lofts and the HSWM.

 

“We believe pets are family and welcome our resident’s furry companions at all of our 616 communities,” said Monica Steimle. “We wanted to partner with the Humane Society of West Michigan for this event to encourage pet adoption and assist residents in possibly finding their new best friend.”

 

The Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) will provide animals available for snuggling and for on-site adoption at the event. 616 Lofts will waive their pet fee to any residents who adopt an animal from HSWM.

 

RSVP for the event to Jenna at jenna@616development.com by January 29th or visit the event Facebook page.