2025 Around the World

Dust off your warm-weather gear and get ready to kick-start summer with Van Andel Institute’s JBoard Ambassadors at the 17th annual Around the World, taking place June 6 at VAI. The celebration will feature the best regional and national wine and craft beer, along with delectable offerings from local food trucks. Round off the evening with joyful company and live entertainment, all in support of Van Andel Institute for Education.

Suggested attire is summer casual. Complimentary valet parking is available at the main entrance of VAI.

Registration is closed. If you would like to purchase a ticket today, please reach out to [email protected]

More items to come.

Brindle & Blonde Haircare Package
Luxe haircare package of R+Co products including Gemstone color shampoo and conditioner, Halfpipe dry wax finishing spray, Sun Catcher leave-in conditioner, Cool Wind air-dry crème, Chainmail thermal protection spray, and Waterfall moisture and shine lotion.
Value: $250

The Cheftitian: Personal Chef Package
Personal chef services provided by a dietitian-chef combining nutritional knowledge and culinary skills into healthy and delicious meals. Menus are customized to the client’s preferences using the Mediterranean diet principles for nutritional benefit. Meals are cooked in the client’s home and are prepared for the week ready to heat and eat. Donation includes meal planning, shopping, cooking and clean up for three meals (food cost not included).
Value: $285

Children’s Birthday Party Experience
Looking for a new and unique idea to celebrate your child’s next birthday or just want to plan a fun gathering? Let VAI help you celebrate while doing something hands-on and fun that’s maybe a little educational, too. (Shhhh! We won’t tell the kids.) Guests will begin by spending some time with our animals. They’ll meet Toby the Tortoise, Cleo the Bearded Dragon, Garrus the Corn Snake, and so many more loveable critters. Then, they’ll dive into an engineering investigation where their skills and resilience will be tested. Can their construct sustain VAI’s Shake Table? Our science parties are two hours filled with fun and exciting science that will engage kids from grades K–12 to think — and act — like scientists. You bring the cake, and we’ll provide the fun!

Party for up to 20 children includes: -Private access to lab area for up to 2.5 hours, including setup and time for discovery
-A dedicated party facilitator
-Fun, hands-on science experiments
-Time with VAI’s animals
-Free parking
Value: $300

Coffee & Conversation with a Scientist
Enjoy coffee and a tour with one of Van Andel Institute’s postdoctoral fellows. Mutually agreed upon date to be determined.
Value: Priceless

Custom Men’s Sport Coat
Custom sport coat measured and designed in the comfort of your home or office.
Value: $1,300

Custom Sock Package
Fifty pairs of premium woven, made-to-order socks custom designed with your company/organization’s logo and branding.
Value: $712

Dental Care Package
One Smith Dental Team logoed Yeti coffee mug, two DiamondClean Sonicare electric toothbrushes, two interdental cordless water flossers and two Opalescence white strips.
Value: $766

Dinner and Dessert in Grand Rapids: SILVA and Love’s Ice Cream
Start the evening with dinner at SILVA — this portion of the package includes one $20 gift card to SILVA with branded restaurant merchandise including a T-shirt, beanie, pint glass, lanyard and stickers. Then, head to Love’s Ice Cream to enjoy a $50 gift card.
Value: $120

Ed Dunneback and Girls Package
One jar of strawberry jalapeño jam, one jar of mild salsa, one packet of white cheddar jalapeño dip mix and a $25 gift card.
Value: $49

The Executive Experiment: A Hands-On Team Building Lab
Step into our science classroom for a two-hour team building experience designed to elevate executive teams beyond business as usual. This dynamic session blends hands-on engineering challenges with powerful professional development strategies to ignite collaboration, strengthen communication and build lasting trust. Participants will uncover hidden strengths, rethink team dynamics and practice problem-solving in ways that transcend job titles and silos. More than a change of scenery, this experience is a catalyst for breakthrough — helping teams return to work with renewed clarity, stronger alignment and the confidence to tackle complex challenges together. Maximum of 15 attendees.
Value: $1,500

Family Fun Day in Grand Rapids
Five day-passes to the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and one $50 gift card to Love’s Ice Cream.
Value: $110

Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert: Dinosaur Jr. & Snail Mail
Two VIP tickets to Dinosaur Jr. and Snail Mail at Frederik Meijer Gardens on July 27, 2025. VIP seats, VIP parking, and complimentary food and beverages (alcoholic and non) are included.
Value: $250

Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Package #1)
Two VIP tickets to “An Evening With Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit” on June 23, 2025. VIP seats, VIP parking, and complimentary food and beverages (alcoholic and non) are included.
Value: $250

Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Package #2)
Two VIP tickets to “An Evening With Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit” on June 23, 2025. VIP seats, VIP parking, and complimentary food and beverages (alcoholic and non) are included.
Value: $250

Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert: The String Cheese Incident
Two VIP tickets to The String Cheese Incident at Frederik Meijer Gardens on Aug. 14, 2025. VIP seats, VIP parking, and complimentary food and beverages (alcoholic and non) are included.
Value: $250

Funky Buddha Yoga Package
One month unlimited yoga certificate, T-shirt, two pairs of sunglasses and three stickers. The month of classes begins from the time the certificate is activated at any of the three studio locations.
Value: $185

Gimme’s Par and Grill: Sport Simulator (Package #1)
Two one-hour rentals of a Trackman golf simulator bay or a multi-sport simulator bay at Gimme’s Par & Grill.
Value: $150

Gimme’s Par and Grill: Sport Simulator (Package #2)
Two one-hour rentals of a Trackman golf simulator bay or a multi-sport simulator bay at Gimme’s Par & Grill.
Value: $150

Grand Rapids Civic Theater (Package #1)
Enjoy four tickets to the Grand Rapids Civic Theater 2025/2026 season, availability pending. Valued up to $184.
Value: $184

Grand Rapids Civic Theater (Package #2)
Enjoy four tickets to the Grand Rapids Civic Theater 2025/2026 season, availability pending. Valued up to $184.
Value: $184

The James
Visit the flagship location in Ada Village! Offering a boutique, salon and spa services. $200 gift card.
Value: $200

Night Out in Grand Rapids: Broadway Grand Rapids and Dinner
Two tickets to the opening night performance of “Water for Elephants” presented by Broadway Grand Rapids on October 7, 2025, and a $100 gift card to an Essence Restaurant Group restaurant.
Value: $350

Night Out in Grand Rapids: Symphony and Dinner
Two tickets to a Grand Rapids Symphony Pops or Masterworks Series performance of your choice and a $100 gift card to an Essence Restaurant Group restaurant.
Value: $258

O’Briens Schoolhouse
Hungry? Visit O’Brien’s Schoolhouse in Ada with a $150 gift card! Burgers, salads, sandwiches and ice cream.
Value: $150

The Parlour
One gift card for a free blowout, Kevin.Murphy Body Wash, and Kevin.Murphy Body Polish.
Value: $100

Pickleball Sport Package
Holbrook Mav Pro paddle, Holbrook paddle cover and one pack of three Holbrook pickleballs.
Value: $125

Pickleball Swag Package
Two packs of Friendlily pickleball-themed drink stirrers, two CLAIREBELLA pickleball coozies, two Sparkly Soul sport headbands, Santa Barbara Design Studio pickleball mug and jojo + lo pickleball visor.
Value: $148

Rueben Antonio Floral & Events: Group Floral Design Class
Enjoy a two-hour floral design class for 6 people courtesy of Rueben Antonio Floral & Events. Drinks and Charcuterie included.
Value: $1,500

Siren and Proper: Gift Card and Lash Kit
$250 gift card and Mink Lash Kit.
Value: $250

Stoller Family Estate Wine Package
Enjoy four bottles of Stoller Family Estate wine. Stoller Winery received LEED Gold certification, attesting to their sustainability practices. Ranked on USA Today’s 10 Best Tasting Rooms list!
Value: $200

Vivid IV Health (Package #1)
Two $150 gift cards to Vivid IV Health.
Value: $300

Vivid IV Health (Package #2)
Two $150 gift cards to Vivid IV Health.
Value: $300

Thank you to our incredible 2025 sponsors!

Holly Cook

Blake Crabb

Mike Hemmingsen

Nate and Nichole Gillespie

Sarah Jones

Rachel Mraz

Kyle Van Andel

Tripp VanderWal

Sydney Vucelich