EVENTS
Innovation
Showcase
Saturday, Sept 21, 2024
Innovation doesn’t just happen on the coasts. It’s happening right here and West Michigan is home to a growing number of tech start-ups, entrepreneurs and industries that are laser-focused on strategic innovation. This year’s Innovation Showcase, presented by Steelcase, spotlights to the work of companies and organizations that are bringing the latest tech innovation to gaming and esports. Furnishings, game spaces, peripherals, and more will be on display as a Super Smash Bros. tournament, magnified on a giant outdoor LED wall, brings everything to life.
Music Showcases
Fri & Sat, Sept 20–21, 2024
The music showcases at Confluence create unforgettable shared experiences for artists and music lovers. Each year is different, but our focus is always to remove borders and expand minds. In 2023, a music summit opened the festival and featured open air jams, instrument demos, and keynote speakers. Stay tuned for complete details on this year’s showcases.
Future Innovators Zone
Saturday, Sept 21, 2024
Confluence is for everyone. The Future Innovators Zone (FIZ), presented by Grand Valley State University, is an amazing, thought bending area designed for kids of all ages. Budding young innovators can explore hands-on exhibits and activities focused on science, technology and art. As with the rest of the festival, FIZ delivers meaningful learning experiences for the next generation of curious thinkers.
Maker Expo
Saturday, Sept 21, 2024
The Maker Expo is a diverse showcase of enthusiasts, crafters, hobbyists, engineers, artists, and organizations who create amazing things in celebration of the DIY spirit. Equal parts science fair and tech meet-up, these makers will come together to share their work and experimentation across the spectrum of science, engineering and art.
Art@
Fri & Sat, Sept 20–21, 2024
Art@Confluence features digital and physical takeovers of downtown spaces. On the digital side, our partners create activations of movement, sound and light. On the physical side, we re-imagine public spaces by uniting art and architecture in innovative and dynamic ways. Displays of color and sound, evolving and interactive, provide attendees with a digital playground to make all their own.
Robotics Expo
Saturday, Sept 21, 2024
The Robotics Expo & Parade features top middle and high school teams from across the region who show off their creations and demonstrate their work across the fields of engineering, coding and computer science. Between RTC and FRC demonstrations, all the teams participate in a robot street parade that circulates throughout the festival.
Thought Serie
s
April 16–17, 2024
Each spring, the Confluence Thought Series assembles dozens of national and local leaders from diverse fields to participate in two days of talks, panels and conversations on the transformative power of technology and innovation. Themes vary year to year, but the series is always focused on how West Michigan is moving the region forward in tech and social innovation.
In 2024, Unlocking Creative Capacity: How to Grow a Rainforest Innovation Ecosystem explored strategies to expand creative capacity across the region. Sixteen leaders in tech, design, education, and creativity will share visionary ideas that are fueling better companies and producing more effective teams.