2008 Young Professionals International Summit Coming to Brevard

ypB wins out over YPO in New Orleans, Cleveland and other cities in bid to bring over 200 YP leaders from the U.S. and Canada to the Space Coast

Young Professionals of Brevard (ypB) announced that Brevard County has been chosen as the site of the 5th annual Young Professionals International Summit, to be held this fall. Recognized as a prime opportunity for a community to showcase its young professional (YP) movement, as well as its focus on creating a “YP-friendly” environment, the event is expected to draw between 200 and 400 representatives of young professionals organizations (YPO) from throughout the U.S. and Canada.

A program of LEAD Brevard, ypB worked in partnership with its parent organization and Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. to prepare the bid proposal and secure preliminary funding. Brevard was chosen over such notable cities as New Orleans, Cleveland, Albany, NY, and Wichita, KS.

“Hosting the annual Young Professional’s International Summit is an extraordinary opportunity for local Young Professional organizations,” said Rebecca Ryan, president and CEO for Next Generation Consulting the managing organization for the summit. “The host YPO gains the value of showcasing their community and their programs to their peers, and to play a central role in the increasingly crucial conversation about how to attract, retain and engage young talent in their communities.“

ypB’s winning proposal emphasized the unique features of Florida’s Space Coast including warm autumn temperatures, beautiful beaches and diverse ecosystem, well-known attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center and those in the nearby Orlando area, and a variety of visitor-friendly venues such as historic Cocoa Village and Downtown Melbourne, as well as Cocoa Beach, which will serve as the summit headquarters. Putting a true “Florida” attribute into the bid, ypB has suggested daily break out sessions held on the beach, in a cabana type atmosphere. 

The proposal also highlighted ypB’s success in establishing a strong base of over 200 members in less than two years of existence, its affiliation with and support of Brevard’s other YPO, and its active involvement in past YP International Summits, including being chosen to present its best practices at the 2007 YP International Summit.

"ypB is both proud and elated that the Space Coast has been chosen to host this year's YP International Summit,” said ypB Chairman, Dawn Hamilton, program planning officer for Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. “We have a cutting-edge YP program that has received national recognition for its many member benefits, strong governance and active community involvement. Hosting this event is an excellent opportunity to showcase Brevard to several hundred young professionals from throughout the U.S. and Canada. We know that they’ll take back stories of the great experiences they had here and share them with their friends and YP peers.”

A three-day conference, the summit will provide YPO leaders a peer-to peer opportunity to learn best practices, including how to build strong organizations and effective member-benefit programs, increase their individual leadership effectiveness, and gain insight into building better communities for YPs to live and work. The event will also feature nationally recognized speakers and local leaders, several evening receptions hosted throughout Brevard, and optional pre and post summit visitor packages.

Initial financial and in-kind support has been pledged by Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc.; Certified General Contractors, Inc.; Florida Space Coast Office of Tourism; Breit Ideas, Inc.; Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront; Indian River Queen-Island Boat Cruise Lines; Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – Delaware North Park Services, Inc.; Spherion Staffing; and Webster University. ypB will seek additional funding and support for the event.

For more information, contact ypB program manager Erin Puzel or public relations coordinator Geo Ropert, APR at 321-632-8222 or email Erin@LEADBrevard.org or Geo@LEADBrevard.org.