Check out the March edition of the YP Loop for info on upcoming events and YP news. Thanks to all who suggested that I start a page on MySpace, Linked-In, etc. That is a work in progress…until I have more time to delve into that, the PDF version will have to do. I welcome submissions to the YP Loop – due by the 15th of the month. Advertising is also available; e-mail baxter@greaterakronchamber.org for more info.

There are two great events coming up next Thursday, March 13:

1. Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding Young Citizens Scholarships will be awarded by the Akron Jaycees at a banquet held at the Tangier, starting at 6:00 p.m. For more info, e-mail akronjaycees@netzero.net.
2. Guinness & Glass, hosted by ArtCetera, will be held at Akron Glass Works, starting at 5:30 p.m. For more info, e-mail events@art-cetera.org or go to www.art-cetera.org.

Due to the steady stream of candidate appearances, rallies, commercials, ads, mailers, etc. that we have been bombarded with over the past several weeks, I doubt there are any YPs in Greater Akron who don't know that tomorrow is election day in the state of Ohio. What some people may not know, however, is that this election is much more than the Presidential Primary.

You will also be casting your ballot for the offices of:

• County Executive
• Ohio Supreme Court Justice
• Congressional Representative
• State Senator
• County Council
• and more!

Depending on your precinct, your ballot will also include:

• METRO RTA levy
• bond issues
• school levies
• Sunday alcohol sales proposals
• and more!

Check out the Summit County Board of Elections website for more information on all of the candidates and issues as well as the voter regulations.

Young Professionals of Akron (YPA) Event - Social Networking at The Office
Date: Thursday, February 28
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: The Office, 778 N. Main St., Akron
Map: Click here for a map of The Office
Parking: Spaces available at side/rear of building
Details: Come and enjoy our casual networking event and get connected with other Young Professionals in the area.

ArtCetera Event - Behind the Scenes at the Akron Art Museum
Date: Thursday, February 28
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High Street, Akron
Map: Click here for a map of the Akron Art Museum.
Parking: Parking is available in the High Street municipal garage directly across the street from the entrance of the Akron Art Museum. Parking is $1.00 per half-hour or $6.25 per day. Parking is free for guests entering after 6 pm on weekdays.
Details: The event will feature a guided tour through the Museum and an Art Talk with Registrar Arnie Tunstal. Afterward, we'll head across the street to Crave for networking and hors d'oeuvres, provided by ArtCetera (cash bar).
Cost: Free for ArtCetera Premiere Members / $20 for ArtCetera Standard Members / $30 for Guests
RSVP: e-mail events@art-cetera.org

GUEST POST: Earl Coburn, intern from Kent State University majoring in communication studies and minoring in writing.

This is my third week here interning at the Greater Akron Chamber and I admit that I’ve really enjoyed it here so far (and no, I’m not just saying this because I don’t wanna get into trouble…I do like it so far). I feel that I finally got the hang of things and know my way around Akron a bit better too. Now mind you, I’ve been to Akron occasionally for an Aeros game but I’ve never really had to drive through the town much. I hail from Ravenna, which isn’t exactly the biggest city in the world. So I wondered after taking this internship how I would fair in a larger city. And I did well! Except for my experience in the parking garage…

Well, this took place over my winter break. I wanted to go visit the chamber so I could talk with who I’d work with and to make sure I could get there fine on the first real day of work. And I had no trouble finding the parking garage that I needed to park in. I pulled in and I found a spot without too much difficulty. I even had twenty minutes to kill! So I got out of the car and went to go find a set of steps to get out. Now, not thinking rationally I went downstairs instead of going up where the ground floor was and…I got lost. In the parking garage. I kept walking around the lower floors of the garage trying to figure out where I was to no avail. I didn’t understand why the numbers didn’t coordinate with the floors. Wait, floor 3 is below floor 2? What??? I spent ten minutes trying to figure it out before I decided to chance it on an elevator, which thankfully cleared up my floor trouble. Once I got to the top floor, I walked outside to gather my bearings. I figured that once I got outside I could find this ‘National City’ building. Then when I turned around to look to see what building I was by…I realized that I was at the National City building! You have no idea how excited I was.

So, that’s my slightly embarrassing experience not knowing how to get out of a parking garage. I was honestly worried that I’d be late and then have to try to explain that I was stuck in the parking garage for twenty minutes. Anybody else willing to share their slightly embarrassing city stories or work stories?

The Akron Urban League Young Professionals are hosting "Mingle in the City" - a fundraising event to benefit the Akron Urban League and the Akron Urban League Young Professionals on Saturday, February 23. The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, the sounds of a soulful DJ, and a bachelor and bachelorette auction for the lonely hearts among us.

Event Details
Mingle in the City
Saturday, February 23
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Akron Urban League
440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
Akron, Ohio

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance by contacting Stacy Smith at (234) 542-4150 or e-mailing stacy901@aol.com.

The Greater Akron Chamber is proud to present the YPN Speaker Series Presentation: "Making Your First Impressions Count" on Tuesday, February 19.

Event Description
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." How many times have you heard that phrase? In our instant gratification, techno-world, people are faster, computers are faster, lives are faster. Your first impression counts, and it may be the only chance you get to make the sale, close the deal, raise the money, or get the job. This session will arm you with some tools you can use to make sure your first impression, and all subsequent impressions, really do impress.

About our Speaker
Our speaker, Kay Stephan, owner and founder of Classic Protocol, Inc., has over 25 years experience as a teacher and business coach. She served as Director of Adjunct Faculty for the University of Akron at Wayne College, retiring from the university as professor emeritus in 2000. Kay has provided Business Etiquette training to large firms such as AstraZeneca, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Cinergy of Cincinnati and universities such as The Ohio State University, Wisconsin University, University of Iowa’s MBA Orientation program, Mississippi State University, and Bradley University.

Details
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
President's Hall, Akron Urban League
440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
Networking & Registration - 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Lunch & Presentation - 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Cost, including lunch, is $25 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members.

Click here for more info or to RSVP online.

If you listen to WKDD, I'm sure you already know that the annual "Have a Heart, Do Your Part" Radiothon benefitting Akron Children's Hospital kicks off today. This evening, from 7:00 - 9:00, members of Young Professionals of Akron (YPA) will be volunteering their time to cover the phones, taking pledges from callers.

I encourage all Akron area YPs (and others!) to call in this evening or sometime this weekend to pledge your support. Call 330-543-0981 or toll free 1-866-543-0981 or donate online by clicking here.

Grab your friends and loved ones and head to Mocha Maiden this Thursday, February 7 for their Vino Amore Wine Tasting. This event features 10 wines from the Portfolio of Superior Beverage, and includes appetizers and entertainment. Tickets are $25 in advance (call 330-374-1114) or $30 at the door.

Thursday, February 7
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Mocha Maiden
17-19 Maiden Lane
Akron, Ohio

I've been trying for the past several months to come up with a good way to provide up-to-date information on the goings-on and upcoming events of all our region's YP organizations. I tried using an online calendar - didn't work out because the categories weren't conducive to YP stuff. I tried an online newsletter - didn't work out because too many e-mail addresses on my list were blocking the e-mail from getting through. Below is a link to my latest attempt, a printable PDF e-newsletter. Technologically, it's pretty basic, but I figured it might be easier for YPs to be able to save it/print it/forward it/read it in the john/whatever. Let me know your thoughts!

YP Loop: February, 2008

For Christmas, my Dad got a Wii. After he unwrapped the Wii and got my cousin Allie to hook it up to the TV for him, all the "kids" (I put kids in quotes because we range in age from 10-35; those of us who don't have kids are kids.) and half of the adults crowded around and fought out who was going to play which game against whom. Pretty soon we had a pretty intensely competitive game of bowling going on.

When my turn to play came around, I tried to get out of it, but my cousins wouldn't let me. They all knew they would beat me - my eye/hand coordination is sub-par, I've never been that big into video games, and I've always been horrible at sports. I can't hit, catch, or throw any type of ball. I was the only kid on my pee-wee T-ball team who consistently struck out. Not kidding.

But I got an "A" in Bowling 101 in college (it was based on effort and improvement, not on score), so at least I had that going for me when I took the controller into my hand and secured the strap around my wrist. I tried to recall all the tips I learned so many years ago about staying low to the ground on release and lining my ball up with the arrows and following-through. I took a deep breath, took my three steps, swung my arm back, brought it forward, released the ball and followed-through.

Wouldn't you know it - I got a strike! On my first try! And then I got another. And another. And another. For the first time in my life, I was actually winning a video/sports game. Pretty soon, I had racked up the highest score of the evening. We were all stunned. Silence filled the room. It was the best Christmas ever.

So, that's a pretty long story to explain why I'm so excited about our Mixed-Up Bowling event on January 31. I haven't been real bowling in a long time, and I can't help but wonder if my few shining moments on Christmas will carry over into real life. Maybe I'm not as bad at bowling as I think I am. Maybe I won't have the lowest score of the evening. Or maybe I will. Either way, I know I'll have fun, and I hope you'll join me so you can have fun too. For just $20, you'll get two games of bowling, shoe rental, pizza, and pop (any other drinks you want are on you), and you'll get to network with other cool YPs from Greater Akron. Check our website for more info and to RSVP. Don't forget to B.Y.O.S.!