EVENTS
Friday@
Fri, Sept 19, 2025
Friday@, presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, kicks off this year’s festival with a happy hour tour of art and tech across Ferris’ KCAD campus. Visit exhibits in the FLEXlab and step inside Kalopeiron, an LED hexagon kaleidoscope that will challenge your sense of space and reality.
Enjoy the sounds of DJ Sommelier and appetizers, desserts and beverages from El Granjero Mexican Grill. With non-dairy, gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options available.
Esports Expo
Saturday, Sept 20, 2025
The Esports Expo, powered by Xfinity, spotlights to the work of companies and organizations bringing the latest tech innovation to gaming and esports. New program partners include Red Bull Tetris, Herman Miller Gaming and more. Follow the Smash Bros. tournament on a giant outdoor LED wall and battle with your friends in free-play areas located across the expo.
Robotics Expo
Saturday, Sept 20, 2025
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 FTC and FRC exhibitions, all teams will participate in a robot street parade that circulates throughout the festival.
Future Innovators Zone
Saturday, Sept 20, 2025
Confluence is for everyone. The Future Innovators Zone (FIZ) 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.
Innovation Showcase
Saturday, Sept 20, 2025
The Innovation Showcase is a diverse showcase of artists, engineers and tech enthusiasts who create amazing things in celebration of the DIY (Do Innovation Yourself). Equal parts science fair and tech meet-up, these program partners come together to share their work and experimentation across the spectrum of science, engineering and art.
Thought Serie
s
April 15 & 16, 2025
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.
For 2025, We Make Things: Building Better Teams, Businesses and Communities will showcase over two dozen influential leaders in tech, business, design and workforce development for two days of conversation, networking and takeaways.
Field trip experiences, hosted by some of Grand Rapids' most innovative companies, will take you behind the scenes in the offices where their ideas come to life.