Sioux City to host Young Professionals conference
By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor | Posted: Sunday, October 14, 2007
Business and community leaders from across Iowa will gather Friday, Oct. 26, in Sioux City for the fourth annual Young Professionals of Iowa Conference.
The YP conference, sponsored by the Sioux City Journal, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Sioux City Convention Center.
Though open to the public, the conference is geared toward young professionals, said Virginia Anderson of Sioux City, the current YP Iowa president.
"It's very driven on community involvement and leadership skills," said Anderson, project manager for Kelly Property Advisors.
Organizers hope to attract upwards of 300 people for the conference, being held in Sioux City for the first time.
Anderson and nine other members of the Sioux City Growth Organization turned out for last year's meeting in Cedar Rapids, all wearing quirky T-shirts the group sells to raise funds and promote the city. The enthuasium shown by the Sioux Cityans helped the city land this year's conference.
Though a number of Sioux City GO members have signed up for the Oct. 26 conference, Anderson said she hopes more tri-state businesses send representatives. The registration fee is $60 per person if turned in by the day before the conference. Same-day registration costs $75. Download a registration form at www.ypiowa2007.com.
Katie Bullard, of Austin, Texas, and V.J. Smith, of Brookings, S.D., will be the main speakers at this year's conference, titled "Lead Today."
Bullard, project manager at AngelouEconomics, the nation's largest independent economic development consulting firm, will speak on young professionals' role in economic development. Smith, a professional and inspirational speaker and author, will be talking about living life like the "Richest Man In Town," also the title of his book. He refers to "rich" as being content in every aspect of life.
At lunch, a panel of leaders from around the Siouxland community will discuss their experiences, offer insight in how to retain and employ young professionals and take questions. The panel will include Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Debi Durham and tri-state business leaders Mike Bennett of Terra Industries, Dave Bernstein of State Steel, Bob Burnett of Dakota PC Warehouse and Regina Roth of Beef Products Inc.
Other local business leaders are scheduled to speak in various breakout sessions throughout the day. They include Kermit Dahlen on "Creating a Positive Workplace," Mitch Matthews on "The Power of Connection" and "Google Your Brain: The power of questions we ask ourselves," Karen Van De Steeg on "Management: Politically Incorrect," Bob Vander Plaats on "Becoming MVP of Leadership," Cy Wakeman on "Succeeding in Spite of the Facts," and Do Yanny on "Winning Impressions: Business Etiquette."
There also will be a track of topics focused on YP groups taking their organization to the next level, that includes the following: Dale Bentlage on "Website for You Young Professional Group," Pomerantz Career Center talking on "College Career Centers: Your Passport to Young Professionals," YP Group President Breakout, Networking & Professional Development Best Practices, and Civic & Community Involvement Best Practices. The breakout sessions are presented once at one of the three breakout sessions throughout the day.
Attendees will also get the opportunity to meet and network with one another and discuss ways to ensure the state will be an attractive place for Iowans to live and work in the future.
Anderson said three chartered buses will bring delegates to Sioux City. The buses will leave Davenport on the eastern side of the state at around 4 p.m. Oct. 25, the day before the conference, and pick up passengers at various stops along the way.
A reception for conference-goers is scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Mac Behr's VIP room on Historic Fourth Street. Guests also are being encouraged to request tickets for the Republican presidential debate at 7 p.m. that evening at the Orpheum Theatre.
On the morning of the Oct. 26 conference, the city of Sioux City Economic Development will host its first "Business for Breakfast," beginning at 7:15 a.m. at the Convention Center. Bullard is set to speak at the inviation-only breakfast, which will be the first in a series of events on business-related topics that will be held on an ongoing basis, said city economic development director Marty Dougherty. For more information or to RSVP for the breakfast, call the city office at (712) 224-5500.
The YP conference will wrap up with a Dueling Piano networking event at the Orpheum the night of Oct. 26. Anderson said each paid registration will receive a free ticket to the concert.
Sponsors for the YP conference include: the Sioux City Journal, Iowa Department of Economic Development, KCAU TV, Mercy Medical Center, Wells' Blue Bunny, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Terra Industries Inc., State Farm Insurance, JD Gordon Design, city of Sioux City Economic Development, Wayne State College, Central Bank, Argosy Casino, Sioux City Growth Organization, KZIA 102.9 and KGYM, Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates, Security National Bank, Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Farm Credit Services of America, city of Sioux City, Aurora Photography LLC, Sioux City Downtown Partners, city of South Sioux City, Jolly Time Popcorn, Mac Behr's and Iowa State School of Design.
What: Young Professionals of Iowa annual conference
When: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Oct. 26
Where: Sioux City Convention Center
Cost: $60 prior to event. $75 that same day.
How to register: Download registration form at www.ypiowa2007.com
The YP conference, sponsored by the Sioux City Journal, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Sioux City Convention Center.
Though open to the public, the conference is geared toward young professionals, said Virginia Anderson of Sioux City, the current YP Iowa president.
"It's very driven on community involvement and leadership skills," said Anderson, project manager for Kelly Property Advisors.
Organizers hope to attract upwards of 300 people for the conference, being held in Sioux City for the first time.
Anderson and nine other members of the Sioux City Growth Organization turned out for last year's meeting in Cedar Rapids, all wearing quirky T-shirts the group sells to raise funds and promote the city. The enthuasium shown by the Sioux Cityans helped the city land this year's conference.
Though a number of Sioux City GO members have signed up for the Oct. 26 conference, Anderson said she hopes more tri-state businesses send representatives. The registration fee is $60 per person if turned in by the day before the conference. Same-day registration costs $75. Download a registration form at www.ypiowa2007.com.
Katie Bullard, of Austin, Texas, and V.J. Smith, of Brookings, S.D., will be the main speakers at this year's conference, titled "Lead Today."
Bullard, project manager at AngelouEconomics, the nation's largest independent economic development consulting firm, will speak on young professionals' role in economic development. Smith, a professional and inspirational speaker and author, will be talking about living life like the "Richest Man In Town," also the title of his book. He refers to "rich" as being content in every aspect of life.
At lunch, a panel of leaders from around the Siouxland community will discuss their experiences, offer insight in how to retain and employ young professionals and take questions. The panel will include Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Debi Durham and tri-state business leaders Mike Bennett of Terra Industries, Dave Bernstein of State Steel, Bob Burnett of Dakota PC Warehouse and Regina Roth of Beef Products Inc.
Other local business leaders are scheduled to speak in various breakout sessions throughout the day. They include Kermit Dahlen on "Creating a Positive Workplace," Mitch Matthews on "The Power of Connection" and "Google Your Brain: The power of questions we ask ourselves," Karen Van De Steeg on "Management: Politically Incorrect," Bob Vander Plaats on "Becoming MVP of Leadership," Cy Wakeman on "Succeeding in Spite of the Facts," and Do Yanny on "Winning Impressions: Business Etiquette."
There also will be a track of topics focused on YP groups taking their organization to the next level, that includes the following: Dale Bentlage on "Website for You Young Professional Group," Pomerantz Career Center talking on "College Career Centers: Your Passport to Young Professionals," YP Group President Breakout, Networking & Professional Development Best Practices, and Civic & Community Involvement Best Practices. The breakout sessions are presented once at one of the three breakout sessions throughout the day.
Attendees will also get the opportunity to meet and network with one another and discuss ways to ensure the state will be an attractive place for Iowans to live and work in the future.
Anderson said three chartered buses will bring delegates to Sioux City. The buses will leave Davenport on the eastern side of the state at around 4 p.m. Oct. 25, the day before the conference, and pick up passengers at various stops along the way.
A reception for conference-goers is scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Mac Behr's VIP room on Historic Fourth Street. Guests also are being encouraged to request tickets for the Republican presidential debate at 7 p.m. that evening at the Orpheum Theatre.
On the morning of the Oct. 26 conference, the city of Sioux City Economic Development will host its first "Business for Breakfast," beginning at 7:15 a.m. at the Convention Center. Bullard is set to speak at the inviation-only breakfast, which will be the first in a series of events on business-related topics that will be held on an ongoing basis, said city economic development director Marty Dougherty. For more information or to RSVP for the breakfast, call the city office at (712) 224-5500.
The YP conference will wrap up with a Dueling Piano networking event at the Orpheum the night of Oct. 26. Anderson said each paid registration will receive a free ticket to the concert.
Sponsors for the YP conference include: the Sioux City Journal, Iowa Department of Economic Development, KCAU TV, Mercy Medical Center, Wells' Blue Bunny, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Terra Industries Inc., State Farm Insurance, JD Gordon Design, city of Sioux City Economic Development, Wayne State College, Central Bank, Argosy Casino, Sioux City Growth Organization, KZIA 102.9 and KGYM, Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates, Security National Bank, Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Farm Credit Services of America, city of Sioux City, Aurora Photography LLC, Sioux City Downtown Partners, city of South Sioux City, Jolly Time Popcorn, Mac Behr's and Iowa State School of Design.
What: Young Professionals of Iowa annual conference
When: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Oct. 26
Where: Sioux City Convention Center
Cost: $60 prior to event. $75 that same day.
How to register: Download registration form at www.ypiowa2007.com
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