By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber
Last Thursday, I attended the grand opening of Columbus' newest family destination, The Scioto Mile. The Columbus "ambassador" that I am, it was an occasion I wouldn't miss. (Check out some of my photos from the grand opening here.) The Scioto Mile is simply marvelous, and I know that I'll be spending a lot of time enjoying the activities and events there and at Columbus Commons, my new favorite downtown park. I feel fortunate to have the Scioto Mile in "my back yard" as it's just one block from the Chamber's office at the Lazarus building. As a young professional (YP) in Columbus, I also feel fortunate that my peers and I helped to shape the plans of the Scioto Mile. How did we do that?
In 2008, Dale Heydlauff, the AEP executive who lead the company's efforts to redevelop the Scioto Mile, presented the park’s vision and proposed plans to a few employees of the Chamber. Mr. Heydlauff had made numerous presentations to various groups, and we asked if he had the opportunity to present the information and solicit feedback from YPs about the plans; he hadn’t. The Chamber offered to coordinate a roundtable discussion to provide their feedback and emailed an invitation to our YP distribution list. About two weeks later, Mr. Heydlauff facilitated the discussion with 30 YPs in AEP’s private board room. He presented the vision and proposed plans, answered questions, then sat down and took notes while listening intently on their feedback and ideas. Attendees shared what they liked, didn’t like and what was missing. What was encouraging about this discussion was that it was an exchange of ideas- and knowledge-sharing. Mr. Heydlauff valued their feedback and ideas. The concept for the Columbus Chamber's Young Professionals’ Exchange was born from this discussion.
I tell you this story as it is an example of the influence and impact local young artists, entrepreneurs and professionals can have on various initiatives, projects or ideas – whether related to the City of Columbus, Columbus Chamber or otherwise. If there is an opportunity to provide a voice as a YP, I hope you thoughtfully consider it. The Chamber shares these types of opportunities with you via the weekly email, Activities and Events for Young Professionals, but it is up to you to decide if and how you wish to participate. I challenge you to be actively engaged in discussions that impact the future of our city.
That being said, I hope to see you at the upcoming Young Professionals’ Exchange: An Update - 2012 and Beyond on July 21 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. at the McConnell Heart Health Center. This forum will provide an update on the progress of three particular community initiatives: Columbus2020!, 200Columbus, and WBNS-10TV’s Next 10 ongoing multimedia campaign. It’s a perfect opportunity to be informed, ask questions and discover opportunities to be actively engaged personally or on behalf of your company or organization. (Not to mention, terrific networking with other YPs and experienced professionals immediately after at the Business AfterHours.) The "established" want to hear from you, and if you aren’t participating in these types of discussions, you are not fully leveraging your voice as a next generation leader.
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