Hello West Michigan takes home two awards for Excellence in Economic Development   

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (October 5, 2021): Back To Michigan, a collaborative, state-wide event spearheaded by Hello West Michigan and The Right Place, was awarded a Silver and Bronze ranking by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at the Council’s 2021 annual conference.

Hello West Michigan convened the Back To Michigan Host Organization Committee, which came together during Covid to host Back To Michigan, a series of virtual career fairs for people interested in relocating to Michigan. The virtual event concept is based on ReThink West Michigan, the award-winning in-person event Hello West Michigan and The Right Place host on the night before Thanksgiving.

The Back To Michigan Host Organization Committee won Silver in the Regionalism and Cross-Border Collaboraion category. The Back To Michigan event series won Bronze in the Innovation Programs and Initiatives category.

“Our committee came together during Covid and consisted of a dozen host organizations, most of whom had never worked together or even met each other,” said Rachel Gray, Executive Director of Hello West Michigan. “Together, in collaboration with the State of Michigan, we organized an event series that resulted in over 2,000 registrants and multiple hires. The Back To Michigan Host Organization Committee is helping to alleviate one of the most critical challenges regions are facing right now: attracting talent.”

IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. 25 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers, following a nomination process held earlier this year. IEDC received over 500 submissions from 4 countries.

“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic,” said 2021 IEDC Board Chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara, President, and CEO Tom Kucharski. “This year, more than ever has presented opportunities to innovate, impact, and progress the cities, neighborhoods, and communities around us.”

For 2021, several regions are hosting both in-person and virtual events for Back To Michigan. West Michigan’s regional event, ReThink West Michigan, is on November 10 and November 24. Company registration is open now.

# # # 

About Hello West Michigan, www.hellowestmichigan.com
Started by local companies in 2007, Hello West Michigan promotes the West Michigan region as a place where business thrives and people and to live and work. It seeks to increase the rate of success member companies have in their effort to recruit top talent and collaborates with organizations across the region to help new residents and those interested in relocating find their fit in West Michigan. Check out Hello West Michigan on social media @hellowestmich.

About The Right Place, Inc.

www.rightplace.org

The Right Place, Inc., is a West Michigan nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1985 and supported through investments from the private and public sectors. The company fuels current and long-term economic prosperity through comprehensive strategies to retain, expand, and attract businesses. This includes connecting companies in the region to national and international resources, identifying emerging growth opportunities, strengthening the competitiveness of area firms, and marketing West Michigan on a global scale. Find out more by visiting www.rightplace.org, liking us on facebook.com, and following us on twitter @TheRightPlaceGR. 

About Back To Michigan, www.backtomichigan.com
Back To Michigan is the umbrella brand for the talent attraction events that happen in Michigan around the Thanksgiving holiday. The event series aims to promote Michigan as a great place to live and work and reach people who are interested in relocating to Michigan. By providing job connections and relocation resources, Back To Michigan aims to attract talent to Michigan. It is a collaborative effort by multiple host organizations: MTEC SmartZone, Innovate Marquette SmartZone, TCNewTech, MiWorks! NE Consortium, MiWorks! Region 7B, The Right Place, Inc. Hello West Michigan, Saginaw Future, Middle Michigan Development Corporation, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Lansing 5:01, Ann Arbor Spark, and Let’s Detroit.