The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce is moving into its second year partnering with the Young Professionals Organization of Greater Peoria (YPOGP). In June of 2007, YPOGP became a program of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. The YPOGP is an emerging network of individuals from a variety of professions and organizations engaged in advancing the Peoria area. YPOGP and the Chamber are working together to increase exposure and awareness within the community. This partnership has been positive for both the Chamber and YPOGP—we strengthen each other.
The mission of YPOGP is to attract leaders and young professionals to the Peoria area and retain those who are already here. Members have the ability to get involved in the community by networking at social events, interacting with community leaders, meeting others with similar interests, learning about important issues in the community and participating in professional development opportunities.
Research has shown that communities and businesses are three times more likely to retain young talent if they feel their voices are heard and valued. Those who embrace their young professional networks and leaders stand to gain big rewards in their efforts to attract and retain young professionals.
YPOGP is hosting the first-ever statewide young professionals conference on May 2nd. The conference, “Engage Illinois,” includes a luncheon with keynote speaker Rebecca Ryan, founder of Next Generation Consulting—a collection of smart, balanced people committed to building better places to live and work. Ryan will be speaking about the next generation, work environments and “cool” communities. This luncheon is open not just to young professionals, but to leaders from companies and organizations throughout the community who work with millennial-generation employees every day and want to better understand what makes them tick.
The luncheon is followed by afternoon workshops focused in two areas for young professionals—leadership and professional development, including work/life balance and making your voice heard, and community issues, including the community legislative landscape and going-green initiatives.
“Engage Illinois” is just one of many programs and activities hosted by YPOGP. To learn more about this group’s events, contact Sarah Stabler at the Chamber office by calling 495-5914 or emailing sstabler@chamber.h-p.org. You can also visit the YPO website at ypogp.org or peoriachamber.org/goto/ypogp. IBI