2026 Thought Series

Join us for 2 days of discovery, learning and professional development alongside dozens of the region’s most influential leaders in tech, business, design, and beyond. From West Michigan’s pivotal role in the Artemis moon missions to advanced tech revolutionizing healthcare to the heated battle over data center development, we’re diving deep into the ideas reshaping our world.

Beyond the stage, Confluence gives you unparalleled access to innovative teams in their own environments. Each day includes an exclusive field trip that takes attendees behind-the-scenes in spaces where transformative ideas come to life.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, GET 50% OFF REGISTRATION

September 17 & 18, 2026
Kendall College of Art and Design

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SCHEDULE: DAY ONE

Future Ready:
How Advanced Tech is Changing Higher Ed

THURSDAY, SEPT 17 @ 8:30a

Campuses across the country are undergoing a digital evolution by embedding AI, immersive learning and digital platforms directly into the student experience. In this session, join leading academic and tech innovators for a candid look at how cross-campus collaboration and cutting-edge tech are redefining the modern degree.

Joe Chrysler

Accelorator Manager
Atomic Object

BIO
Greg Gogolin

Professor/GR AI Council
Ferris State University

BIO
Samah Mansour

Assistant Professor/Cybersecurity Graduate Program Director
GVSU

BIO
Jonnathan Resendez

Assistant Professor/AI Incubator Faculty Director
GRCC

BIO

Smart Medicine:
Advancing Healthcare with AI

THURSDAY, SEPT 17 @ 9:15a

The convergence of AI with biomedical research and clinical practice is transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance and driving the next era of digital health. A panel of medical experts will explore the evolving landscape of medicine and technology and its potential to create more sustainable health systems.

Rob Campbell

VP of Data & Analytics
Instrumentum

BIO
Kristin Jacob, MD

Medical Director/BeWellMED
Corewell Health

BIO
Kevin Maupin, Ph.D

Assistant Professor
GVSU

BIO
Eric Swindell, Ph.D

Chief Academic Office/Dean of Graduate School
Van Andel Institute

BIO

Next Stop – The Moon:
Getting Artemis Off the Ground

THURSDAY, SEPT 17 @ 10:15a

Our region's aerospace industry is fueling space missions and more – spurring innovation, investment and jobs. Join this panel of experts to learn how Michigan, home to over 900 aerospace-related companies, has become one of the top places in the country for this booming industry.

Aaron Johnson

President
Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan

BIO
Mark Ignash

Dir. of Strategic Initiatives and Ecosystem Development for Aerospace & Defense
MEDC

BIO
Sara McMurray

Director of Sales & Marketing
DornerWorks

BIO
Stacy Paul

CEO
Array of Engineers

BIO

Field Trip: Array of Engineers

THURSDAY, SEPT 17 @ 11:30a

Tour of AoE’s new headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids. Hear the vision it took to reclaim a historic building and how it could be a blueprint to convert other downtown spaces. Complimentary lunch and networking to follow.
(45 Division Ave S)

SCHEDULE: DAY 2

Sustainability at Scale:
Designing Systems that Work

FRIDAY, SEPT 18 @ 8:30a

Can good business also be good for the planet? Join leading experts in sustainable design, material innovation and environmental engineering for an up close look at how large-scale conservation practices are changing (and improving) how products are built, packaged and distributed.

Gayle DeBruyn

Professor/Coordinator of the Wege Prize
KCAD

BIO
Erik Petrovskis

Director of Environmental Compliance & Sustainability
Meijer

BIO
Gabe Wing

Vice President of Sustainability
MillerKnoll

BIO

Reclaiming the Grand River: Mapping the Frontiers of Restoration Science

FRIDAY, SEPT 18 @ 9:15a

Across the country, human intervention is returning ecosystems to a healthy state. In this session, Leaders in water resource engineering, historic preservation, redevelopment strategies, and non-profit management weigh in on ground-breaking projects underway in West Michigan and beyond.

Matt Chapman

Executive Director
GR WhiteWater

BIO
Tim Dekker

President & CEO
LimnoTech

BIO
Eric Kehoe

Senior Planner
Progressive Companies

BIO
Mike Marsiglia

Co-CEO
Atomic Object

BIO

Does It Compute?
West Michigan's Data Center Strategy

FRIDAY, SEPT 18 @ 10:15a

The clash over data centers pitches resource needs for AI and cloud computing against community burdens like water scarcity and raising utility bills. As states like Michigan offer incentives to attract these centers and the economic activity that follows, some communities are pushing back, pointing to environmental impact. Leaders in economic growth and environmental activism weigh in on data center development – and the fierce debate they inspire.