PORT TOWNSEND — The inaugural get-together for the Jefferson County Young Professionals Network will be today.
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce will host “Count Me In!” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cotton Building at 607 Water St. in Pope Marine Park.
The kickoff event is in celebration of the new group and will feature refreshments, DJ music and raffle prizes that include a business development scholarship of $500 and a stay at The Inn at Port Ludlow.
“At this point, we know there are over 100 young professionals in Jefferson County, and we believe that there could be double, even triple that number,” said Jordan Eades, a chamber board member and co-creator of the Young Professionals Network, also known as YPN.
“The mixer will be our first attempt to gather as many YPs as possible in a single environment,” she said.
“It will be enlightening to see how just how many of our generation are living and working in Jefferson County,” Eades said.
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network is composed of entrepreneurs and business professionals younger than 45.
Four round tables — also called test labs — have been held since March to consider how best to organize the network, said chamber Executive Director Teresa Verraes.
Today’s mixer is the first meeting of the group.
Through a variety of different programs, the group plans to help participants build business networks and community, share resources and experiences, develop professionally through educational opportunities, combine goals for advocacy, contribute to economic development and leverage influence in the county’s future.
“We’re creating leadership alliances and mentorships,” Verraes said.
“We’re bridging any gaps that are out there in regard to leaders.”
“This is an amazing time to be involved with the Young Professionals Network,” she said.
“Together, we can help keep Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and the Tri-Area wonderful places to live, raise a family and thriving business communities,” she added.
The chamber and supporting entities such as Team Jefferson believe the creation of a Young Professionals Network is an important investment in the future of Jefferson County, Eades said.
Plans for the future include monthly mixers, as well as more YPN round tables and a think tank where members can brainstorm about business struggles and community issues, Eades said.
In the fall, the group will offer courses on marketing, market research, branding and social media, and organize a leadership seminar, Eades said.
To learn more and to sign up for the mailing list, contact Eades at marketingsmith@gmail.com or Verraes at 360-385-7869.
Jefferson County Young Professionals also has a Facebook page.