Regional Young Professional Group Happy Hour Held

(l:r) Ali Levingston, Director, Leadership Programs, Leadership Montgomery; Stephanie Helsing, Director of Membership Development, Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Brandon, Programs & Online Presence Manager, Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce; Laura Rowles, President & CEO, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce; Michelle Day, President & CEO, Rockville Chamber of Commerce: and Sarah Burnett, Board Member, Bethesda Chamber of Commerce at the 3rd Annual “Regional Young Professional Group Happy Hour” on September 29, 2016 at Miller’s Ale House Rockville.
(Photo credit – Christian Videla, Eagle Bank)

The Greater Bethesda, Gaithersburg-Germantown (GGCC), Greater Silver Spring (GSSCC), and Rockville Chambers of Commerce along with Leadership Montgomery’s Emerging Leaders said goodbye to summer and hello to football season at its 3^rd Annual “Regional Young Professional Group Happy Hour” at Miller’s Ale House Rockville on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

Nearly 200 emerging leaders attended the exclusive event in the hopes to make new connections or strengthen their existing ones.

In a report released by Nielsen it stated 92 percent of millennials believe that today’s professional groups provide great opportunities to network. Stemming from this report, GGCC Director of Events & Marketing, Laura Rowles, developed this event in an effort to bring five distinguished County organizations together, so emerging leaders of the professional community could gather for an evening of networking to further their career, strengthen their professional image, or just to meet fellow young professionals. And it worked; the number of attendees continues to strengthen every time the event is held.

“Young professionals develop leadership, communication and organizational skills through practical experience, so it only makes sense for the Rockville Chamber to partner on this event. We may have a lot of similar opportunities and share a strong customer base, but engaging and empowering young professionals & developing the leaders of tomorrow is for the greater good of all the organizations involved. Besides it is great fun, great food, and great people,” said Michelle Day, Rockville Chamber of Commerce President & CEO.

A person goes into business for many reasons, primarily to make money sure. However, with more attention being placed on corporate giving and social activism, there has been a push for businesses of all sizes to give back. Giving back is good for business.

Due to the generosity of the attendees, half of the sales of the evening’s 50/50 drawing was donated to A Wider Circle. For 15 years, A Wider Circle has been helping adults and children challenged by homelessness, poverty, & substance abuse. A Wider Circle’s Founder, President and CEO Mark Bergel accepted the donation and had the opportunity to address the crowd on the needs and opportunities A Wider Circle offers. Learn more about them at: awidercircle.org.

Learn more about the GGCC, at: www.ggchamber.org

Learn more about the GSSCC, at: http://www.gsscc.org

Learn more about the Rockville Chamber, at: www.rockvillechamber.org

Learn more about the Leadership Montgomery, at: www.leadershipmontgomerymd.org

Learn more about the Greater Bethesda Chamber, at: www.greaterbethesdachamber.org

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About Laura Rowles

Laura authors the blog Your Success is Our Business on MyMCMedia. Laura is the Director of Events & Marketing for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce - a member-based organization of businesses that have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic, commercial and industrial progress in our communities. The area's economic well-being is a result of the caliber of work that is done by the Chamber. The Chamber has a major impact on business, income and future growth of the area. My position at the Chamber - Director of Events & Marketing - affords me the opportunity to plan quality events for our Members and market the Chamber is a variety of avenues. At the GGCC, we typically have around 30 events each year including: breakfasts, lunches, after-five's, ribbon cuttings and special events. The consensus is we have high quality events with good energy. In 2012, we had over 2,040 people visit our events. Most our events are free to Members so securing sponsorships for all events. Additionally, I am responsible for planning networking, overseeing the budget and marketing of all events in order to make them successful. Lastly, I coordinate all marketing and communication efforts of the GGCC including weekly email blasts, its quarterly newsletter, all social media platforms, media relations and community outreach.

View all posts by Laura Rowles