Young Professionals are having a ball
By Casey Gillis on Oct. 25, 2007
Twenty- and thirty-somethings congregate around the beer-tasting table.
They down samples of seasonal microbrews in plastic Dixie cups and listen to beer trivia from John Stadler, beer-guru and sales representative for Specialty Beverages Inc.
Others mingle over drinks and appetizers, exchanging laughs and conversation.
It’s 5:35 p.m., and the Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) Thursday meet-up has officially begun. An hour later, Magnolia Foods on Rivermont Avenue is bustling.
The Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) sponsors monthly “535s,” the appointed time to gather at a different venue around town. The idea is to help young professionals network and socialize.
Established two years ago, YPCV works to attract and retain young professionals in the Lynchburg area, which has the stigma of providing few social options for young people. YPCV is part of Region 2000, an economic development organization serving the 2,000 square miles surrounding Lynchburg.
Attendance at the 535s has increased steadily since the spring, when the average hovered around 15. Now upwards of 70 people come by, says Executive Director Jamie Quetglez. Thursday night at Magnolia’s was no exception.
Quetglz attributes the increase to more event promotion through social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.
Thursday’s 535 was a first for Ann Calhoun, a real estate manager. Calhoun, 30, heard about the group before she moved to Lynchburg a year ago. She says there is “a lot of room for growth” for social opportunities, and would like more book clubs, wine tastings and cooking classes.
Vineet Jolly, 25, has been coming to the 535s for a year and has lived in Lynchburg for 16 months. He heard about YPCV through his company, Tyco Electronics, where he is a system solutions engineer.
Jolly, who has seen the club evolve, has enjoyed meeting people from different industries. However, he still wishes there were more young people in Lynchburg.
“There are enough things to do,” he says, “but not enough people to do them with.”
Jack Lu, 31, is a physician who has lived in Lynchburg for five months. This is his second event with YPCV, which he found out about on the Web. He came to the meeting because he’s still new to the area and trying to meet people.
Lu also expressed frustration with the lack of entertainment options.
“We could use a better movie theater,” he said. “It’s kinda sad when the dollar theater is the best theater in town.”
Next Saturday YPCV is throwing its social bash of the year - “Unmask the Night” - the first annual masquerade ball. Think Halloween party, but more elegant.
“We thought it would be a lot nicer, and give everyone an excuse to dress up,” Quetglz says.
IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: YPCV First Annual Masquerade Ball, “Unmask the Night”
WHEN: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday
WHERE: Kirkley Hotel, Candlers Mountain Road
TICKETS: $35 per person, $60 per couple
INFO: (434) 847-1447 or visit http://www.ypcentralva.org
COMMENTS
Thank you for telling us about this, we had a great time and will go to more events in the future. Keep them coming!