Before you head out to the bars to kick off the Thanksgiving weekend, why not network with Ann Arbor tech companies?
Ann Arbor SPARK will host the fourth annual Ann Arbor Tech Homecoming, a happy hour aimed at connecting local companies with professionals from across the country. It will take place Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 4-7 p.m. at Graduate Ann Arbor hotel, 615 E. Huron St. in Ann Arbor. The event is free to attend and registration is available online.
SPARK senior vice president and chief of staff Phil Santer says the inspiration behind Tech Homecoming was to draw in out-of-towners who are in Ann Arbor for Thanksgiving, allowing them to meet local employers in a comfortable setting before starting off a popular night out at the bar.
"The goal is to showcase the tech community and plant the seeds for considering careers in tech in Ann Arbor," Santer says. "We do a good job getting people from Michigan to come here, but we need to do a better job of getting people from outside the state. This event is one of those tactical opportunities."
Santer says there's been a lot of interest and growth in the last three Tech Homecoming events. Last year's event drew over 250 people from 17 different states.
This year's participating employers include TD Ameritrade, security company Blumira, and data analytics company Groundspeed. Job openings from attending companies are also posted on SPARK's job portal.
"It's a good mix of large, well-known companies and smaller startups," Santer says.
Emily Benda is a freelance writer based in Ann Arbor. You can contact her at emily@emilybenda.com.
Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor SPARK.
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