Experts to discuss how tech is shaping talent and community

Tech

Jun 3

Dre Wallace

More than 150 business leaders, educators and tech professionals will gather on June 4 at the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology for the 20th annual Tech Trends, hosted by West Michigan Tech Talent.

Keith Brophy, a nationally recognized futurist and chief operating officer of Mentavi Health, returns to headline the program with insights on how artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping West Michigan’s economy, workforce, and communities. This year’s event is expanding to include a new speaker, Dre Wallace, founder and chief executive officer of Grand Rapids-based tech platform Opnr, adding new depth to the discussion of emerging tech trends and their impact on work, community and families.

In addition to supporting STEM Greenhouse and its mission to inspire underrepresented youth to pursue science, technology, engineering and math, the event also highlights the region’s growing tech sector.

According to The Right Place’s 2024 Tech Report, Greater Grand Rapids has added more than 3,700 tech jobs since 2021, including nearly 450 in the past year alone. With a long-term goal of 20,000 tech jobs over a decade, the region continues to grow its tech economy through events like Tech Trends, which connect industry, education, and community leaders to address talent needs and foster innovation.

“Events like Tech Trends are a direct reflection of West Michigan Tech Talent’s mission to tackle the region’s tech talent gap,” said Rob Greer, chair, West Michigan Tech Talent. “By fostering collaboration across industries, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive tech workforce for the future.”

Brophy will highlight the emergence of “living intelligence,” the convergence of artificial intelligence, sensors and biotech to create systems that adapt and respond in real time.

“This isn’t just about smarter machines,” Brophy said. “It’s about intelligence that interacts more organically with the world, impacting everything from healthcare and learning to ethics. It’s one of the most fascinating frontiers we’re approaching.”

Wallace, whose company uses data to transform the live entertainment industry, brings a complementary perspective rooted in entrepreneurship, creativity and equity.

“As technology evolves, we have a responsibility to make sure it brings more people in, instead of leaving them out,” said Wallace. “Innovation is more than algorithms and code, it’s about creativity, culture, and access. Events like Tech Trends create space for conversations centered on people. I’m honored to help drive that dialogue forward, especially in a region with so much talent and potential.”

In addition to keynote presentations and Q&A sessions, the event offers networking opportunities for attendees across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education and software development. For more information, visit https://www.westmichigantechtalent.com/tech-trends.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners