Explore all that Grand Rapids has to offer for FREE!

The Michigan Growth Office has partnered with City Institute and Hello West Michigan to take college students and young professionals across the state on a field trip to Grand Rapids so you can experience its great places, great opportunities and welcoming communities.

This event gives you the opportunity to:

• Learn more about local companies that are hiring
• Take the ultimate cultural tour of Grand Rapids where you’ll learn about the city’s nightlife, best places in town to grab dinner with friends and neighborhoods that you might call home one day soon!
• Get introduced to local residents and leaders
• Connect with other soon-to-be recent grads and young professionals

Lunch and refreshments are provided.

Please note there is a capacity limit for this event. Register early to secure your spot!

Not in Grand Rapids? We have you covered!

Bus transportation is included from Detroit, Kalamazoo and Flint. Select this option in your registration. More details about where and what time to meet will be sent closer to the field trip date.

More Information About the Hosts:

The Michigan Growth Office is leading the state’s most ambitious population growth effort in its history. One of the ways they’re accomplishing this is by launching pilots and programs such as fields trips. They want to ensure current Michiganders have everything they need to build a bright future here while welcoming new residents from across the country to come and join us. Recent grads and new residents can now apply for the office’s Welcome Program, where you can enjoy the great perks of being a Michigander and discounts from Michigan small businesses.

City Institute has taken thousands of people on attraction and retention tours of Detroit and Michigan cities to help share the cities’ unique characteristics and spirit. Jeanette Pierce, City Institute’s founder, has spoken to civic leaders around the world about how Detroit has created a fresh approach to its urban development challenges and created a new path into the future.

Hello West Michigan loves to call West Michigan home and exists to attract and retain talent to the region. West Michigan is a region full of beautiful places, respected and world-leading companies, and communities that sit amongst the top places to live and work in the country. Hello West Michigan is building a better West Michigan — and want you to be part of it.

Who is this for? 

For college students getting ready to graduate and young professionals who are interested in exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth, a desire to forge strong connections within a community that is more than just where you live and are inspired by Grand Rapids’ long history of self-empowerment, arts and culture and innovation. Whether you’re here for a day or a lifetime, you’ll connect with Grand Rapids in a whole new way!

General Itinerary

11:00 Arrival and Networking

12:00 Welcome & Local Speakers

1:30 Ultimate Grand Rapids Experience Tour

4:00 Closing Remarks

Questions? Email communications@thecityinstitute.com