We’ve planned four quarterly socials this year, and then we will probably gain speed with each one. Then by 2017 I think you’re going to see some amazing things out of this group.”Leah Bolin, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce president
CULLMAN – On Thursday, March 17, at Karma’s Coffee House, YPCullman (YP for Young Professionals) met for the first time. More than 50 of Cullman’s young professionals attended the inaugural meeting for the group, which is designed to groom Cullman’s next generation of business leaders. A product of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, YPCullman challenged the young adults of Cullman County (ages 22-39) to meet, mix and maintain friendships.
“YP is a young professional’s group,” said Ben Smith, director of small business for the Chamber. “Our intention is to enjoy each other and find a way we can impact the community through one way or another. Since this is our first quarterly meeting, we’re not really sure what that’s going to be. We want to leave it as sort of a grassroots movement and let everybody here decide. It’s really going to depend on what everyone wants to do. I think the main thing is getting people together, making those connections and then, from there, you can have something happen. We just want to engage our generation.”
“This first year we are going to do more social things with the 40 and unders to get to know each other, learn each other – the climate, the culture they are in,” said Leah Bolin, Chamber president. “We are giving everyone a survey tonight and we want them to determine the direction of what YP is going to do, because it’s their group.
“We’ve planned four quarterly socials this year, and then we will probably gain speed with each one. Then by 2017 I think you’re going to see some amazing things out of this group,” she smiled.
The next YPCullman gathering will be on May 5 at Goat Island Brewery. Employers are encouraged to send their employees who are ages 22-39. For more information about YPCullman, email Magan Bartlett at mbartlett@cullmanchamber.org.
