Rapid Roots: An Executive’s Guided Cohort to Living in West Michigan

This program is for the professional who recently moved to West Michigan. Designed to accelerate assimilation into the community and build network connections, this guided cohort will explore the history, culture, and people of West Michigan.

Spread over 6 sessions, Rapid Roots will explore multiple topics and communities in West Michigan. This experiential program will show you the hidden gems, not just tell you about them.

Rapid Roots is limited to an intimate group so participants can make real connections with their classmates and accelerate the friend-making process. Participants will also gain introductions to multiple community organizations through our diverse slate of speakers.

Learning Objectives for Rapid Roots:

  • Understand the geographical makeup of the West Michigan region
  • Understand the foundations of our economy and current cornerstone industries
  • Learn the science of friend finding and identify potential strategies for making personal connections. Participants’ significant other or personal guest is invited to two of the sessions.
  • Assist participants in connecting with community activities related to their interests, hobbies, and family needs

2025 Session Schedule

  • September 4
  • September 11
  • September 18
  • September 25
  • October 2
  • October 9

Ready-Made Connections

In addition to the sessions, each cohort member will be matched up with 3 buddies.

  • Program Buddy – current cohort classmate
  • Alum Navigator – alum of the Rapid Roots program
  • Community Guide – community leader in West Michigan

Applications

Applications are due by August 1, 2025.

If you have a new transplant on your team, encourage them to participate in the program. Reach out to us via email and we’ll send you some “nominating language” to share with the new transplant, plus calendar appointments to save the date.

If you are a transplant, click the button below to apply now!

We will review applications as they’re received and notify you by August 8, 2025 about your acceptance into the cohort.

Impact of Rapid Roots

Retaining Relocated Talent

FAQs:

Program Cost: $3,000

Discounted Rate for Hello West Michigan Members: $2,500

If you relocated with your significant other, we know it’s important for them to learn about the community too. Each participant is invited to bring a significant other or guest to session #4 and #6. If your significant other would like get the full experience of all 6 sessions, they are invited to apply separately.

The program is open to employees from companies regardless of the company membership status with Hello West Michigan.

“Executive” – this program is open to people with titles that are Director level and above.

“Recently relocated” is a relative term. we know it takes a long time to setting into the community, sometimes years. So, there is no limit on “recent”.

This program is for people who relocated here or those who relocated back. Boomerangs are welcome. A lot has probably changed since you left.