YP Dubuque
YP Dubuque
YPD Defined
YPD is a dynamic group dedicated to connecting young professionals to numerous social and professional opportunities available in the area. YPD encourages young people to build networks, exchange ideas, and impact the future of Dubuque. Being young is more a state of mind than a number. Professionals are people who on a daily basis engage in a livelihood involving skill, expertise, passion, and energy.
Mission
YPD offers professional development, social networking events and opportunities for greater community involvement.
Vision
To connect young professionals by offering opportunities to enhance professional development, build relationships and make a positive impact in our community.
YPD History
The beginning of an organization doesn’t often start with the kick-off event, but when the first ideas are generated. In the spring of 2006, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce discovered that Dubuque-area young professionals were looking for an organization that would do things differently. Young professionals were asking for a group that addressed their needs with a dash of creativity and a focus on professional development, networking, and community involvement. Those needs coincided with the Chamber’s desire to acquaint the area’s young professionals with each other; knowing that relationship is a powerful retention tool.
On September 6, 2006 over 150 participants attended the YPD Kick-off hosted by Rebecca Ryan, Founder & CEO of Next Generation Consulting. This first YPD event was designed to raise awareness of young professional groups and to gain valuable information on what this type of group could bring to the Dubuque-area.
After the initial kick-off event, YPD took off. Over sixty kick-off attendees volunteered to help form YPD. Of that number, thirty-four members stepped forward as leaders to help develop the organization’s mission and vision. Six committees were formed emphasizing the aspects of the YPD mission. These committees included: professional development, community service, public policy, relationship building, marketing, and cultural and social opportunities.
The history of YPD doesn’t stop there. YPD committees are always planning new events and making a difference in the community. In 2007, the 1st Annual YP Symposium in Memory of Meghan Hackett was held. The Symposium featured speakers from across the country and gave YPD members the opportunity to engage in a day of professional development and networking. To see what YPD has planned next check out the Events Calendar.
From Seattle to Tampa, and everywhere in between
YPD is a local extension of a national movement of young professionals. Across the country, groups of YPs are coming together with the goal of creating better places to live and work. To learn more about this national movement and be inspired by the possibilities, visit www.ypcommons.org.