In 2012, Hello West Michigan and The Right Place hosted the first-annual 'ReThink West Michigan' Thanksgiving Eve event in Grand Rapids. A novel idea, the event was a casual, professional networking evening for former residents looking to move back to the region, better known as 'boomerangs.' 

 

Since then, several other regions have adopted the event model, and ReThink West Michigan has been recognized as a best practice by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Many of these events have become Thanksgiving traditions in communities throughout Michigan over the last 11 years, resulting in hundreds of successful hires.

​

As with many things, COVID-19 derailed the traditional Thanksgiving Eve event. So in 2020, communities around Michigan have decided to come together for a collaborative, multi-day virtual career event series called Back to Michigan. The collaborative, virtual sessions hosted with employers around the state were incredibly successful, which is why the are now hosted both virtual and in-person.

​

This year, seven regions around the state are once again hosting Back To Michigan, which will include a series of virtual and in-person networking events where people interested in relocating to Michigan, and current residents who are unemployed, will be able to speak directly with hiring employers. The virtual events will take place between October 1 - November 23, 2022. In-person Thanksgiving Eve events will return on November 23, 2022 in select regions.