Salem Area Young Professionals

Over 100 YoungPros attended November's sold out event at Alessandro's in downtown Salem. A number of attendees (roughly 10-15) were there for their first YoungPros event, proving the group continues to reach out to businesspeople throughout the region.

The catered luncheon by Alessandro's was well received with a variety of food to choose from. The big draw proved to be Kyle Sexton's presentation on networking, which he claimed to be a key ingredient to business success.

"There is a big difference between socializing and networking," said Sexton. "Networking is socializing with a plan."

Sexton (pictured below) currently is sought after for speaking engagements across the country. One of his most recent duties was as MC of the 2007 American Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference in Sacramento, California. Over 1,200 business professionals were in attendance.

"Once you speak in front of a group of 1,200 it makes it easier to speak to that next group of 100," said Sexton. Focal points of his presentation included the right way to shake hands with a stranger, how to properly introduce a spouse or date to someone without remembering their name, and ways to introduce yourself that will help make you memorable.

"Be interested and be interesting," said Sexton, referring to that initial conversation you have with another businessperson.

Take the YoungPros Challenge this month by answering the questions on the survey from November's event. If your answers are right, you will be entered into a drawing at December's event where you'll have a chance to win a $100 donation provided by Salem YoungPros in your name to a charity of your choice.

And don't forget to contact your Leadership Team with your comments/ideas on YoungPros.

Salem YoungPros truly embraced their "Spirit of Giving" as a part of November's event by providing an overflowing barrel of food for Marion/Polk Food Share.

The group will learn more about how they can help local causes and charities at December's "Spirit of Giving" Event!

(Pictured at right is Ryan Collier of Clark, Lindauer, Fetherston, Edmonds, Lippold & Collier, LLP networking with Vice-Chair of YoungPros Amy LeFore of Saalfeld Griggs.)

Presenting Sponsors

Sponsors / Ticor Title / Oregon Community Credit Union / Willamette University MBA