Why You Should Encourage Your YPs to Attend This Year’s Summit

Signature Events

March 4, 2024
Staff Reports

Workforce is a hot topic in many articles and discussions around the business community, and the Chamber’s young professional program, better known as AYP, wants you to consider giving your employees the day off on Thursday, April 25.

I know the irony in allowing your talent the day off outside of a sick day or vacation day but don’t think of it as just a day off. Think of it as your business helping our community grow the local talent base and community leaders needed for tomorrow.

In a Deloitte survey of millennials, 63 percent said their leadership skills were not being fully developed, and 71 percent of employees likely to leave in the next two years are dissatisfied with how their leadership skills are being developed. Those numbers are continuing to rise, and we want to help stifle them for our Big Country business community.

Sponsored by the Dian Graves Owen Foundation, our steering committee promises the full-day event will activate curiosity and cultivate professional, personal, and community growth through intentional development.

Led by AYP Chair, Allison Alvarez (Arrow Ford), and Summit co-chairs, Collin Heidenheimer (First Financial Bank), and Shelby Villarreal (Hendrick Health) a group of almost 20 young professionals from across the region has been working to plan this year’s event that features over nine breakout sessions and three keynote speakers.

This year’s event features a theme around the phrase "Level Up" your goals for personal and professional development.

Keynote speakers have already been announced and feature THREE individuals. John Logan, an award-winning magician who received a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent, and two returning speakers who will be featured on the main stage Dr. Stephanie Moses and Timothy Palmer.

Additional topics include Community Quest: Building Our Shared Future, Boss Battles: Real-World Champions Changing the Game, Level Up your LinkedIn Game, Hacking Hard Conversations and so much more.

Again, it’s local, it’s all in one place, and we promise that your employees will leave the day feeling ready to achieve their goals.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, and you can purchase tickets here while viewing a full schedule of events.

We hope to see you on April 25!