Red Wing Chamber creates HYPE program

2 May 2013


Local News

Article By: Anne Jacobson   |  Republican Eagle

 

Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce hopes to generate some hype. Literally.

The organization will launch Helping Young Professionals Emerge at 5:30 p.m. May 8 at Marie’s Underground Grill & Tap House.

HYPE is geared toward working professionals who are 21 to 40 years old, chamber President Patty Brown said. The mission is to cultivate, inform and connect aspiring community leaders.

“It looks at three critical areas – community involvement, leadership and education,” she said.

After the initial meeting, monthly gatherings will offer a mix of networking, seminars and some community service. The group will decide what times will work best.

“We have been kicking this around for years, since the demise of Leadership Red Wing,” Brown said, referring to the chamber program that ended a decade ago. The new program will fill that niche, but also that of the former Jaycees.

HYPE is an outgrowth of Red Wing’s Blandin Leadership programs last year, she said, plus meetings with the chambers and local chamber members.

“We were looking around, seeing we are the same people who have been on these same committees for years. We need some new blood, some new ideas, some new people willing to take on these responsibilities," Brown said.

“There’s been a cry from young members: Hey, can you do something for us,” Brown added.

These young professionals will help make Red Wing a better place to work and live — today and in the future, she said. HYPE also should help attract and retain these people.

People can join even if their businesses aren’t chamber members. There are separate fee categories.

The HYPE kick-off event will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Brown encourages young professionals to find out what the HYPE is all about.

“We’re hopeful we can get these people engaged,” Brown said.

Flipboard Icon