Tech Week and The Rising Innovation Hub of Grand Rapids -...

What this episode covers

Join us on Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the excitement of Grand Rapids Tech Week with Jen Wangler, Vice President of Technology at The Right Place.Discover how West Michigan is emerging as a technology and innovation powerhouse in the Midwest and hear about the exciting events planned, including a keynote by Steve Wozniak, and multiple events with the Symplicity team.We’ll explore the significance of innovation, community collaboration, and the empowering role of women in tech. Tune in for inspiring stories and insights on how Grand Rapids is shaping its tech future. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation!Chapters: (00:00) Welcome to Symplicity Conversations with Catherine Behrenbrinker (01:34) Guest Intro: Jen Wangler, VP of Technology at The Right Place (03:11) How Tech Week Grand Rapids Got Started (05:27) From 7 Events to 80+: Tech Week’s Rapid Growth (08:42) Steve Wozniak Keynote and Major 2025 Highlights (11:36) AI, Data, and Analytics: Disruption Across Industries (14:18) Coffee Circles and Women in Tech Initiatives (17:50) How Tech Week Creates Connections That Spark Careers (21:04) Why Grand Rapids is Becoming Tech Hub 3.0 (24:33) Universities Driving Talent: GVSU, MSU, and More (27:21) Success Stories: VC Showcase and Startup Momentum (30:42) Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovation in Tech (34:19) Grand Rapids’ Advantage: Collaboration Over Competition (37:10) Tech Ecosystem Growth: Healthcare, Defense, and Food Innovation (41:27) Attracting Talent and Retaining Knowledge Workers in GR (45:00) The Future of Tech Week: From Midwest to National Stage (47:39) Closing Thoughts and How to Get InvolvedSubscribe and follow for more episodes on tech and community leadership.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

(Episode 24): Balancing Mental Health, Motherhood, Business, and Ministry w/ Christina Eppenger

Jul 19, 2024 ·43m

(Episode 23): Healing Your Relationship with Food w/ Meredyth Fletcher

Jul 12, 2024 ·42m

(Episode 22): How Unforgiveness Affects our Mental and Physical Health with Shakeeta Torres

Jun 28, 2024 ·30m

(Episode 21): Coping with Exposure within the Body of Christ w/ Shakeeta Torres

Jun 21, 2024 ·34m

(Episode 20): How to Heal from Past Trauma for Healthier Relationships w/ Dr. Jude Austin

Jun 14, 2024 ·61m

(Episode 19): Why People Stay in Domestic Violence Situations w/ Ranika Chaney

Jun 7, 2024 ·52m

Similar Podcasts

Chewing the Fat with WorkForge WorkForge Bite-Sized Conversations for Building a Stronger Workforce Welcome to Chewing the Fat, a podcast delving deep into the world of food manufacturing. Dive into real conversations around critical topics like staffing, retention, onboarding, and career development in this essential industry. Subscribe now to gain insights from your peers, subject matter experts and more on the biggest issues facing food manufacturers today: -Hiring and retaining employees -Addressing the challenges of the Silver Tsunami -Improving time to productivity of new employees -Engaging employees from hire to retire And more... Tune in to Chewing the Fat, a WorkForge podcast, and join the conversation on how to build and sustain a resilient, high-performing workforce in food manufacturing. Solving for Change MOBIA Technology Innovations Solving for Change welcomes business and technology leaders to share stories of bold business transformation within complex organizations. In an era when technology and markets are changing around businesses, the key to staying competitive is to evolve in response to those changes. MOBIA’s Mike Reeves and Marc LeBlanc investigate business transformation, deconstructing the challenges, ambitions, and market disruptions that drive companies to embark on transformation journeys, and exploring their unique approaches to achieving meaningful outcomes. What sparks leaders to pursue business transformation? How do they overcome the challenges along the way? What are the keys to creating enduring change? Through in-depth conversations with business and technology leaders, Mike and Marc answer these questions and explore how businesses evolve by pulling four key transformation levers: people, process, technology, and culture. Faith and Mental Wellness Podcast with Shakeeta Torres Shakeeta Torres, Speaker, Author, LCSW, Certified Life Coach & Coach Trainer ”Welcome to ”The Faith and Mental Wellness Podcast”—your safe place for a transformative journey toward breaking the barriers that hinder emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. Join us as we explore real-life stories and insightful interviews with Mental Wellness Professionals and individuals who’ve triumphed in restoring mental health by intertwining their faith with professional guidance. Through these candid conversations, we equip you with tools and resources to enhance your mental well-being. Tune in and embark on a journey of empowerment, healing, and renewed faith!” Two Recruiters: Zero Filter Two Recruiters At Two Recruiters: Zero Filter, we're on a mission to demystify the hiring process, share insider tips, and empower you to maneuver through the professional world with confidence. With more than 30 years of combined experience navigating the intricate web of job markets, talent acquisition, and career development, we're here to spill the tea on everything career related. But wait, there’s more! We will dive into many life topics that are interesting to us as well. Get ready for a rollercoaster of insights, stories, and no-holds-barred advice!Join us for conversations that matter – where work, life, and authenticity collide in the most unexpected and rewarding ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Symplicity Conversations?

This episode is 40 minutes long.

When was this Symplicity Conversations episode published?

This episode was published on September 9, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Join us on Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the excitement of Grand Rapids Tech Week with Jen Wangler, Vice President of Technology at The Right Place.Discover how West Michigan is emerging as a technology and innovation powerhouse in the...

Can I download this Symplicity Conversations episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.