Networking in the West Michigan and Grand Rapids Region

A great way to identify career opportunities and improve your job prospects in the West Michigan region is to build a strong network by getting involved in some of the many industry and business associations across the region. You’ll have the opportunity to develop new skills, connect with other professionals in your industry, learn more about the community, and keep your finger on the pulse of upcoming job prospects across the region.

The West Michigan region includes 13 counties: Kent, Montcalm, Ionia, Barry, Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Newaygo, Mecosta, and Oceola. The five largest cities in the region are: Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Wyoming, and Kentwood. These are also where the greatest number of open jobs exist. It is the second-largest region in the state for both the number of employers and open job opportunities.

Grand Rapids is listed as the number one city to grow your career on LinkedIn’s Cities on the Rise list. And as the largest city in the West Michigan region, there are a variety of great opportunities to get connected. However, the entire West Michigan region offers a multitude of organizations interested in helping you to build your network and develop your professional community.

Here’s a list of 46 organizations to help you get started building your network in the West Michigan and Grand Rapids region:

Young Professional Organizations:

1. Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Michigan Young Professionals
2. Association for Corporate Growth Next Gen
3. Holland/Zeeland Young Professionals
4. Junior Chamber International (JCI) Muskegon
5. Muskegon Young Black Professionals
6. The Grand Rapids Junior Chamber
7. United Way Emerging Leaders
8. Young Nonprofit Professionals of Grand Rapids
9. Young Presidents Organization (YPO) West Michigan
10. Young Professionals of Grand Rapids

Development and Networking for Specific Roles/Groups

1. American Institute of Architects (AIA) Grand Rapids
2. American Marketing Association West Michigan
3. Association for Accountants and Finance Professional in Business – Grand Rapids Chapter
4. Association for Fund Raising Professionals West Michigan Chapter
5. Grand Rapids Bar Association
6. Grand Rapids Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association
7. Grand Rapids Python Users Meetup Group
8. Grand Rapids Web Development Meetup (GRWebDev)
9. Inforum West Michigan
10. Institute of Internal Auditors – West Michigan
11. International Facility Management Association – West Michigan Chapter
12. International Institute of Business Analytics – West Michigan
13. LinkedUp Grand Rapids
14. Muskegon Rotary Club
15. Software GR
16. West Michigan AI Lab
17. West Michigan Public Relations Society
18. Women in Manufacturing – Western Michigan

Industry Associations:

1. Precision Metalforming Association West Michigan
2. Technology Council of West Michigan
3. The Economic Club of Grand Rapids
4. The Manufacturers Council of West Michigan

Entrepreneur/Startups/Small Business:

1. Grand Rapids Chamber OutPro
2. GROW Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women
3. Latina Network of West Michigan
4. SpringGR
5. The Mitten Project
6. West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
7. West Michigan SmartZones
   1. Muskegon SmartZone
   2. Spartan Innovations
   3. Start Garden Grand Rapids
   4. SURGE Holland SmartZone

Alumni Associations:

1. Ferris State University Alumni
2. Grand Valley State University Alumni
3. Hope College Alumni Association
4. Davenport University Alumni 

Author: Rachel Gray is Executive Director of Hello West Michigan in Grand Rapids, where she promotes West Michigan as a great place to live and work. She helps educate employers and prospective relocatees about the region. Hello West Michigan runs West Michigan Intern Connect, a summer engagement program and the largest gathering of interns in the state every June. The organization’s other resources include the Weekly Resume Pack Program, informational resources, a Job Board and a community onboarding program for executives, Rapid Roots. Rachel is a native Michigander. She is an alumna of Aquinas College and interned at Celebration! Cinema.