The Young Professionals of the Naperville Chamber is an initiative designed to nurture the next generation of business and civic leaders. Founded several years ago, YPN is the place for professionals under the age of 40 to connect, build lasting relationships and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Each month YPN hosts a variety of activities to meet their mission. Depending on the month, the schedule can change, but typically YPN hosts a Business Meeting, Networking Lunch and after work Social.

“I encourage executives and managers to encourage their employees to get involved in YPN,” said John Schmitt, President & CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. “This generation gets what it means to be a proud member of our community and consistently amaze me with their desire to get involved and make a difference. If we continue to spread YPN’s spirit across our community, I know we’ll be handing the keys of leadership to trustworthy and ready hands.”

YPN’s featured monthly event is the Business Meeting, which is held at 7:30 a.m. on a Friday morning in the Chamber’s conference room. Each month the topic varies, with some of the presentations focusing on community education, sales training, personal growth, or some good old fashioned networking.

On Friday, August 13 YPNers will have an opportunity to sit back and learn the lessons from two business leaders who made it. Tom O’Donnell and Ed Channel will be providing their thoughts and passing along advice when they speak at the business meeting. Tom and Ed charted different courses in their professional and personal careers, but share a positive story of success.

Past Business Meeting Topics from 2010 were:

• February: “Leading Through Adversity,” with City Manager Doug Krieger
• March: Structured Networking Event
• April: “Building A Business From the Ground Up,” with Kris Hartner, Naperville Running Company and Overall 2009 Small Business of the Year
• May: “Communicating through a Crisis – A Primer For YP’s,” with Dennis Culloton, Culloton Strategies
• June: “Creating A Legacy For The Community Through Civic Involvement,” with Tom Meirs and Brien Nagle

It isn’t just all work either. An essential component of building lasting relationships is providing venues for YP’s to connect with one another. YPN’s socials are intended to do just that.

On Monday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m. is YPN’s Night At The Movies where members can take advantage of an exclusive advanced screening of a soon to be released comedy. For $15, you get your ticket, soda and popcorn. Night At the Movies is limited to 40 individuals.

In addition to the Business Meeting and Social, YPN hosts a monthly networking lunch at a Member restaurant. At the event there is no program and no speeches, it’s just an opportunity to take an hour of the day to get to better know one another.

To get involved in YPN, join them on Facebook at http://naper.cc/ypnfcbk, subscribe to their e-newsletter or contact Brianna Belgio, Events Coordinator, at (630) 544-3377 or Patrick Skarr, Vice President, Advocacy, Economic Growth & Quality of Life, at (630) 544-3368 at the Chamber.

YPN is generously supported and sponsored by: