FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. is rolling out the Hoosier Hospitality for professionals arriving in Allen County. The Onboard Fort Wayne program, officially launched today, is designed to help newcomers live their best lives in Allen County while helping companies retain top talent.
“Attracting and retaining talent has been one of the top challenges for local companies for years now, and it’s time to step up our game,” said John Urbahns, president and CEO of GFW Inc. “We’ve spent years building an award-winning community. Now, with Onboard Fort Wayne, we’re taking the next step of reaching out and helping newcomers get plugged into the community, so they can thrive here in Allen County.”
The program is built on three pillars:
- Welcome events where participants can meet other newcomers and learn about the community
- “Community Connectors”–ambassadors who can serve in a concierge role, answering questions and guiding new residents to find their new local favorites
- Online resources that serve as a 24/7 guide to the community
“Most businesses do a great job bringing new employees on board and showing them the ropes in the workplace. Onboard Fort Wayne picks up where they leave off,” said Barry Schrock, director of leadership programs at GFW Inc. “We want people to feel welcome, get acclimated to the community, and thrive outside work just as much as they do on the job.”
The program welcomes more than just the individual employee. If a newcomer’s significant other is looking for a job in the community, he or she can submit a resume at OnboardFortWayne.com, to be shared with local employers who have positions available.
“We want the whole family to be happy here,” Schrock said. “That’s such a critical aspect of retaining talent: not just one person’s job, not just quality of life, but making sure each individual in the family feels welcomed and supported.”
The Onboard Fort Wayne program was designed by a team of transplants to Fort Wayne and Allen County. Referring back to their experiences getting acclimated to the community, the team of Leadership Fort Wayne participants spent months refining a blueprint for intentionally welcoming newcomers.
The program is available to all GFW Inc. member companies and their new employees. Eligible individuals can join the program by completing the interest form at OnboardFortWayne.com. Business leaders who would like to learn more about the program or how to sponsor an event should contact Barry Schrock at bschrock@gfwinc.com.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Ind., as its primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement.
