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Chamber hosts new event focused on young professionals The future of Claremont's business community is making their presence known today. A new generation of business leaders has established the latest committee of the Chamber of Commerce. It’s called the Claremont Young Professionals. Pooling from a younger crop of business professionals in Claremont from ages 21 to 39, the group hopes to make its own mark in the local business environment and build relationships for years to come. Their inaugural event was a fundraising mixer held at the Wine Merchants in the Packing House on Thursday night. A portion of the proceeds raised by the Wine Merchant will be donated to the Claremont Young Professionals' initial programs. Over a hundred people showed up throughout the evening, sipping on wine and snacking on appetizers provided by Buca di Beppo. Many business cards changed hands as people from local companies like Prudential Wheeler Steffen Real Estate, Technip, Bliss Salon and Match Play Insurance mingled. Many met each other for the first time. "You see some of the established business people in town and how they have been working together for decades," said Mason Prophet of Wheeler Steffen. "That's part of what we are trying to do." Jeremy Cooper of Pay Pro Services, a founding member of Claremont Young Professionals, said he only became involved in the Chamber of Commerce within the last 6 months. When first attending meetings, he felt like an outsider and struggled to overcome some initial anxiety about getting involved. "I noticed that there was a need for more networking opportunities for young people," Mr. Cooper said. "[With the Claremont Young Professionals], we're hoping to help others overcome fears or concerns about attending Chamber of Commerce events like I had in the beginning." Mr. Cooper noted that the new venture is not meant to divide the Chamber based on age. He believes the older and younger generations have a lot to offer each other and hopes to bring the groups together.
Maureen Aldridge, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, agreed. Ms. Aldridge said younger Chamber members bring in fresh ideas to the business community and can teach other members how new technology can benefit their businesses. "I can honestly say that I didn't know that there were so many of you in Claremont," Ms. Aldridge said, addressing the crowd at the mixer. "If we want the Chamber to continue to thrive, we will need you to a part of that." Aside from networking opportunities, the Claremont Young Professionals plan to run educational programs for its members where younger business people will have the chance to learn strategies to improve their businesses and careers. The group also wants to promote charity work by donating time and money to different causes. Each year, they will pick a new local organization to support "to make the community a better place," Mr. Cooper said. "We also want to show that our demographic is important," Mr. Cooper said. "We have a lot of purchasing power and hopefully we can get some people out there to gear their businesses in our direction." At 38, Mayor Corey Calaycay is the only member of the city council who still fits in the Young Professionals age group. Mr. Calaycay attended the mixer and believes the group will have success. "My hat's off to them," Mr. Calaycay said. "I'm sure they will continue to get more people in town involved and continue to climb in their business ventures. Hopefully, today was one of many good events." The next event for the Claremont Young Professionals will be at the Chamber's upcoming breakfast meeting on May 12 at the Double Tree Hotel. The group will have a workshop about online social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to attract a broader range of customers. "Most younger people these days get their information from the internet," Mr. Cooper said. "By using these tools, businesses can advertise to younger consumers, market promotional events and get a wider audience for their businesses." —Tony Krickl |
