Why Networking Doesn’t Have to Happen in a Conference Room
Some of the best professional connections happen when you take people out of traditional settings. This idea is at the heart of our Tech Trails series, a networking experience designed to bring tech professionals, educators, workforce partners and community members together outdoors.
Participants meet at a nature center, park or other outdoor locations for an hour of trail walk, conversation, and connection.
The goal? To create opportunities for people across West Michigan's technology ecosystem to connect in a more relaxed environment.
There’s something about walking on one of West Michigan’s beautiful trails alongside someone that makes conversation feel natural. You're simply walking, talking and getting to know the people around you. Sometimes, that's where the best conversations begin.
Throughout the series, we've brought together people from different organizations and industries. Some participants join because they want to meet other technology professionals. Others want to learn more about the region's tech community or simply spend an hour outside with good company.
Regardless of the reasoning, the result is the same: People who might not otherwise cross paths have an opportunity to connect—a crucial component to an industry as broad as technology.
This year, Tech Trails has taken participants to locations across West Michigan, including Blandford Nature Center, the Outdoor Discovery Center Network, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park and Johnson Park.
We've also had the opportunity to collaborate with the Explore Hospitality Industry Talent Council, creating even more opportunities to bring different industries and perspectives together. That's part of what makes the series unique. The conversations don't have to stay strictly focused on technology. They can be about careers, the community, local businesses, favorite trails, new ideas or whatever comes up along the way. Sometimes, a professional connection starts with a conversation that has nothing to do with work. Building a strong technology talent ecosystem isn't just about filling jobs. It's about building relationships. The stronger those connections become, the easier it is to share ideas, identify opportunities and create pathways for people to enter and grow within the industry.
That doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen through one meeting or one event. It happens through repeated opportunities to bring people together—one trailhead at a time.
Tech Trails is one way we are creating those opportunities while encouraging people to step away from their desks, and outside of traditional networking spaces.
If you have any trail suggestions for next year’s hiking series, reach out to Industry Council Lead Virginia Berger using the link below. We look forward to seeing you out there at our next hike!
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