Sept. 8, 2025
Grand Rapids Community College will play a central role in Tech Week Grand Rapids 2025, connecting students with top technology employers, supporting entrepreneurs and helping industry professionals put artificial intelligence to work.
GRCC is hosting or co-hosting several major events as part of the six-day unconference, which runs Sept. 15–20 across the city. Events include:
- The FutureTech Speed Networking Event on Sept. 16
- Artificial Intelligence: Real Profit on Sept. 16
- Career Strategies in an Uncertain World and Can AI Do This? on Sept. 17
- Innovate & Automate: A Practical AI Workshop on Sept. 18.
Using AI for Real-World Results
Artificial Intelligence: Real Profit will be held in GRCC’s Secchia Piazza on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. The workshop, led by Elizabeth K. Goede of SPARK AI Lab and Sharon Gillenwater, a startup founder who built and sold a $25 million company, will show participants how to turn AI trends into measurable business results.
Attendees will gain hands-on experience with AI tools for business creation, learn funding strategies from proven entrepreneurs and walk away with ready-to-launch action plans. The event is open to entrepreneurs, business owners, tech professionals and students of all skill levels.
Connecting Students with Industry Leaders
The FutureTech Speed Networking Event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on GRCC’s main campus. The event is designed to spark meaningful connections between students and professionals in fields including artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity and data privacy, hardware and the Internet of Things, cloud computing and DevOps and advanced manufacturing.
Students will move through a structured program in one of three one-hour blocks. Each block includes:
- Check-in and warm-up: Students will pick up name tags, review the schedule and get resume and elevator pitch support from job developers and career coaches.
- Employer rotations: Students will take part in small-group mock interviews with 6-8 employers. Each student will answer questions, receive feedback and rotate tables.
- Employer feedback panel: Industry professionals will share overall impressions, resume tips and interview advice, followed by a group Q&A.
The program is designed to provide students with real-world networking experience while helping employers connect with GRCC’s growing pool of FutureTech talent.
“Students will leave with insights, feedback and connections they can use to launch their careers,” said David Pridmore, GRCC FutureTech program manager. “Employers have the chance to meet and mentor emerging professionals while helping to shape the local tech workforce.”
Career Strategies in a Changing World
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, GRCC’s FutureTech Career Program will co-host Career Strategies in an Uncertain World from 8 to 10 a.m. at Has Heart Coffee Shop. The event is designed to inspire college students, job seekers and mid-career professionals to launch or pivot into tech careers.
Lightning talks will feature local experts sharing tactics for navigating today’s job market, creative ways to gain real-world experience, the most in-demand skills for 2026 and beyond, and the importance of soft skills and adaptability.
Speakers include TJ Scott of Amway, Geraldo Gonzalez of Aztech/Code on Wheels, Christy Ennis-Kloote and Jim Becher of Augusto Digital, Lydia Kauffman of Carnevale & Tech Collaborative, and Nora Bylsma of Array of Engineers.
Can AI Do This?
Also on Sept. 17, GRCC will co-host Can AI Do This? from 4 to 6 p.m. at Secchia Piazza in the Applied Technology Center. The interactive event invites attendees to bring real-world workflow challenges and watch as a cross-disciplinary panel explores whether AI can provide solutions.
Experts in data science, product development, operations and legal will test ideas live, offering guidance, next-step checklists and networking opportunities for participants. The event is co-hosted by West Michigan AI Lab, BizStream, NuWave Technology Partners and GRCC.
Putting AI to Work in Manufacturing
On Thursday, Sept. 18, GRCC will host Innovate & Automate: A Practical AI Workshop from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The free, hands-on session is tailored for employees in manufacturing companies of all sizes and focuses on implementing AI tools to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Participants will build practical bots they can immediately use in the workplace, with a focus on two key areas:
- Maximizing maintenance efficiency: Using AI to predict equipment failures, automate maintenance schedules and reduce downtime.
- Optimizing manufacturing and delivery: Building bots to streamline production processes, improve inventory management and ensure on-time delivery.
The workshop gives participants an opportunity to bring their own ideas and walk away with solutions ready to put into practice.
Building the Tech Pipeline
By hosting and co-hosting these events, GRCC is highlighting its role as a bridge between education, industry and community growth.
“Tech Week GR is about showcasing innovation and sparking collaboration,” said Dr. Kristi Haik, GRCC dean of the School of STEM. “We’re proud to be part of it by supporting students, helping employers and strengthening West Michigan’s tech ecosystem.”