Regional Contractors Tour | Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect Campus

We’re pleased to invite you to a Regional Contractors Tour of the new Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect Campus, a recently completed facility designed to strengthen connections between education, industry, and the future workforce in Southwest Michigan.

As the Architect of Record, our team is hosting this tour in partnership with CSM Group, with support from Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency. This event is intended for contractors across our region who are interested in workforce development, project delivery insights, and shared learning within the construction community.

Purpose of the Tour

This tour is designed to support open dialogue and shared understanding around several key themes important to our regional construction industry:

• Project Showcase
  A guided walkthrough of the Career Connect Campus, highlighting how the facility supports hands-on, real-world trades education and modern construction practices.
  
• Workforce Development
  The tour will conclude in the Construction Trades area, where KRESA instructors from the three construction programs will discuss how students are being prepared for careers in the trades and how local contractors can engage with and support this growing workforce pipeline.
  
• Lessons Learned & Open Discussion
  Members of the project team will share construction highlights, challenges encountered, and lessons learned throughout the process, followed by an open Q&A focused on construction coordination, delivery, and—if of interest—design considerations.
  

This is intended to be an informative and collaborative event, offering value to contractors who are shaping, supporting, and sustaining construction work across our region.

Additional information about the Career Connect Campus can be found here:

https://www.kresa.org/career-connect/cc-campus

We hope you’ll join us and be part of the conversation.

Info: Welcome & Introductions – Wightman
• Welcome and purpose of the tour
• Partner acknowledgments: CSM Group, Kalamazoo RESA
• Project and collaboration overview

Guided Facility Tour – Wightman (Design Intent) + CSM Group (Construction)
• Design intent at key stops (hands-on learning, flexibility, durability)
• Construction delivery approach and sequencing insights
• Trade coordination highlights and lessons learned
• Open contractor questions and discussion

Lessons Learned & Collaboration Takeaways – CSM Group + Wightman
• What worked, what we’d do differently
• Design–construction alignment insights
• Practical takeaways for future projects

Workforce Focus & Program Overview – Wightman → KRESA
• Transition from building to people
• How the facility supports workforce development
• Contractor engagement opportunities

Closing Remarks – Wightman
• Appreciation and next steps
• Invitation for continued dialogue

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

KRESA Career Connect Campus, 3500 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo, United States

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