Welcome
OUR ANNUAL STUDENT NIGHT at the GR CAMPUS of GVSU
Manufacturing Innovation in West Michigan
Don’t miss this FREE meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Come, check us out. Bring a friend. Or a potential ENGINEERING MAJOR!
Feed your body, feed your mind.
Technical Program:
Engineering and Computer Science College Tour and
History and Future of Manufacturing Innovation in West Michigan
Come to see the new Kennedy Engineering Building. Dr. Paul Johnson, Assistant Dean of the College, will give us a quick overview of GVSU’s engineering programs as we finish munching our pizza and salads. After dinner, Birgit Klohs of The Right Place, Inc., will tell us about the manufacturing base of the local economy. DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!
Presentation Summary: Much of West Michigan’s economy was built by innovative manufacturers. And as manufacturers compete in a growing global marketplace, the importance of manufacturing innovation will play a vital role in future economic growth of the region.
There is no question that West Michigan’s economy needs to diversify and is doing so; however, even “new economy” industries have a base in manufacturing. Health care providers need medical devices, aerospace companies need high-tolerance products, and alternative energy companies need large-scale components. We can build them all here in West Michigan.West Michigan’s economy started with manufacturing, and its future will include manufacturing.
Our speaker: Birgit M. Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc.
Birgit M. Klohs is president of The Right Place, Inc., a position she has held since 1987. A native of Germany, she joined the staff from Grand Valley State University where she was assistant director of the Office for Economic Expansion. Her professional economic development experience began in 1977 as an Industrial Consultant with the Economic Development Corporation of Berrien County, Michigan. Her formal education includes a degree in finance from Western Michigan University. Birgit also is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma, as well as a certified Economic Development Finance Professional. In addition to her administration responsibilities, Birgit is active in each of The Right Place, Inc.’s strategic priorities. She brings special expertise to the retention, expansion and attraction priorities of The Right Place, Inc. Her attraction efforts include both domestic and international prospects, including several foreign trade missions annually. Birgit has many professional and volunteer affiliations in the community, serving on the boards of such organizations as Spectrum Health, Macatawa Bank, the Employers’ Association and the Grand Rapids Symphony. She is a member of the State of Michigan’s Council of Economic Advisors and serves on the board of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Klohs is a frequent speaker at national and international economic development seminars and conferences, having lectured in France, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and Australia. Most recently she spoke in Xiamen, China at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT).
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
Time: 5:30-6:50 pm Social Hour: GVSU Engineering Dept Tours
Enjoy some Pizza and Salad from Salvatores
6:50 pm Announcements and Short Presentation by Dr. Paul Johnson
about the GVSU Engineering and Computer Science College Programs
7:00 pm Presentation by Birgit Klohs from The Right Place, Inc.
LOCATION: GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
PEW CAMPUS (DOWNTOWN GR)
KENNEDY HALL (ENGINEERING BUILDING) ROOM 330
301 West Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Free Parking is available in the FRONT Street Lot, which is off of Mount Vernon and Watson.
Click this link to see a campus map, or request a pdf version be emailed to you when you reserve.
Cost: NO COST!!!
YOU MUST RESERVE BY MONDAY OCTOBER 12, 2009
PROVIDE NAME(S) AND AFFILIATION(S) FOR NAME TAG(S) PLEASE.
Call Debbie Alyia at 1-616-475-0059 by Monday Oct. 12th!
