The Detroit Downtown Partnership and After5Detroit kicked off a program Wednesday aimed at showing nearly 400 young professionals starting out in Detroit that the city has plenty to offer after the work day ends. Ten city restaurants supplied food for the event at the Boll Family YMCA, while some tourism-focused companies provided information on their services. The event attracted mostly summer interns, but included new hires who were encouraged to network.
“I just got here 10 minutes ago,” said Sean Williams, a 24-year-old Michigan State University senior who is interning at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, “and I’ve already talked to 10 people.”
The idea is to show the young professionals flocking to the suburbs after work that they will miss “good times” this summer in downtown Detroit, said Kerry Doman, founder of After5Detroit.com. It is also intended to persuade more young professionals to work and stay in the city.
“When you graduate, we want you to see yourself here,” Doman said. “If they have a really fun experience here this summer — meet some really cool people — then they might consider staying here.”
Many college interns have misconceptions about Detroit that keep them from exploring the city and getting involved, she said.
The program will try to fight those by providing an Eastern Market tour, kickball tournament and several parties. It costs $95 to join, but many Detroit businesses are paying the fee for their employees in an effort to improve company retention rates.
Source:The Detroit News/ Tim Devaney
