After a year, Young Professionals Network continues growth

A year after the Reno Tahoe Young Professionals Network launched with a party that drew 700 people, the group's organizers say they're surprised at the amount of old-fashioned hard work that's been required to get the group established.

But they say the group that today numbers about 400 members continues to grow as it fine-tunes its purpose.

A series of successful luncheon events have drawn 20 to 40 young professionals each month for close conversation with experienced leaders such as Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Congressman Jon Porter.

Networking events also have been successful, says Young Professionals Network President Malena Raymond, and the group is beginning to develop ways to increase volunteerism among young professionals.

Says Dominic Brunetti, a member of the group's board, "There are a lot of nonprofits in our community, and they all need help."

Also possible this year, Raymond says, is participation by the group in efforts to attract more young entrepreneurs and professionals into the region.

That's one of the goals of the Target2010 plan adopted by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, and a consultant to EDAWN says the help of the Young Professionals Network is important.

"YPN has been very receptive to supporting EDAWN's workforce recruitment marketing efforts to attract skilled professionals to the area. Both organizations see that there are several ways for Greater Reno-Tahoe's young professionals to participate in the in- and out-of-market strategies, and together, we plan to capitalize on those opportunities," said Lorna Shepard, EDAWN marketing consultant.

Like many others at the kickoff event a year ago, Raymond says she was shocked at the number of young professionals in the community and the variety of their professional experiences.

The group will continue to host a couple of big events annually. Its first Leadership Summit in late

September, for instance, drew several hundred for a half day of sessions on professional development, attracting young professionals to the region and increasing involvement of young professionals in charitable activities.

At the same time, Raymond says the group expects see creation of smaller groups of members who share similar interests. Some of them may exist only online.

John Sande IV, one of the Young Professionals Network's board members, says organization of the group has taken a surprising amount of work.

"I was just naive in how difficult it is to create an organization like this," he says. "It takes time, but it's getting to what we envisioned it could be."