Young Professionals Network Success in the City May 28, 2008
Posted by megan in Events, Photos, YPN.add a comment
Submitted by Tine Greco, PREIT
This year’s YPN Success in the City event brought a room full of aspiring young professionals together to hear about the winning careers of three very reputable panelists who have had an impact on Philadelphia, including Judy Spires, President of Acme Markets, Wes Wyatt, Chairman and CEO of Cintron Beverage Group, Vai Sikahema, Anchorman/Sports Director for NBC 10 News, as well as our favorite moderator, Lori Wilson, Anchor/Reporter and Co-hot of “10!” for NBC 10 News. All of the speakers had the common thread of Philadelphia playing a role in their professional and personal success, and it all came back to the relationships and the people of the Philadelphia region that contributed in some way.
Being in a location like The Pyramid Club with its majestic views, myself, and the peers I talked to, couldn’t help but feel a sense of empowerment and motivation. We were encouraged by the speakers to keep family and social values among our priorities, to learn from every experience (no matter how frustrating or difficult) and take that with us as we figure out our way to where and who we want to be. Despite the rainy weather, it was a great event to have attended and I look forward to continuing to be inspired by their careers – whether you are an entrepreneur, an athlete or a female climbing a corporate ladder, there is success to be had in Philadelphia…
Click here to see more photos from the event. To learn more about YPN, click here.
Small Business Connections that Make a Difference May 27, 2008
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Nominations for the 2009 Excellence Awards Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are due Friday, June 13 (click here to submit a nomination). For 26 years, the Excellence Awards have helped business leaders throughout the region forge special, mutually beneficial connections. Last year’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Steve Grandizio of Friendly Mortgage, has written in with a special story:
One of the biggest pleasures of winning one of the awards last year was meeting a truly great person, Lynn Ozer from Susquehanna Bank. Because Susquehanna was the sponsor of my award, I was able to get to know Lynn fairly well in the weeks leading up to the event. Well, it’s amazing how the power of networking plays a role in all aspects of life.
As many people know, I am heavily involved with a foundation that I co-chair called Little Smiles. This organization is a silent check book for the nurses in the pediatric oncology departments at Chester County, Bryn Mawr and Children’s Hospital (CHOP). In this capacity, we look to have the nurses call us every time they say, “wouldn’t it be cool to… or I wish we had…” Basically, our role is to fill in the blanks. Well, one day in March, one of our CHOP nurses wanted to send one of her patients to a concert.
Now this was not your normal patient, this was a 2 year old girl that was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 8 months. Since then, she has had 16 surgeries and just completed her 14th round of chemo treatments. That being said, this is one of the happiest and pleasant little girls that you will ever meet. Her name is Victoria, but the nurses, radiologists, doctors and anesthesiologists all call her “Tori the Tank”. Why? Because it takes an extra dosage of medicine to sedate her, because she will throw up after treatment and proceed to start playing with her toys like nothing happened, because she still eats after all this rather than getting fed through a tube and because amazingly she is still going strong after all that she has been through.
Stop and think for one minute about 16 surgeries in 14 months. So, she has either been prepping for surgery, in surgery or recovering from surgery ever since she was 8 months old! Unbelievable!!!
Well, to make a long story short, Tori’s Aunt wanted Tori to go to the Backyardigans concert at what was the Tweeter Center in Camden. Fortunately for Tori, it is no longer the Tweeter Center, it’s the Susquehanna Bank Center. So, as soon as the request came into my inbox, I sent it to Lynn and asked if there was anything that she could do. By the end of the day, we had 6 front row tickets and an hour meet and greet with the Backyardigans!!! Since this cost us absolutely nothing (Susquehanna donated this), Little Smiles decided to pay for a round-trip limo ride for the family.
Now, I am not saying that this will happen to everyone who gets an award, but it shows you what great things can happen from meeting new people. “Tori the Tank” enjoyed a day with her favorite characters 6 days before her 2nd birthday. Little Smiles does not cure diseases and never will, but I am 100% confident that putting a smile on a sick child’s face gives them a much better chance to tackle whatever affliction they have.
Thank you Lynn and the Chamber for making a story like this possible!
Click here to learn more about Little Smiles.
This Week at the Chamber May 27, 2008
Posted by megan in Events, Public Policy.add a comment
- Region on the Rise at the Comcast Center 5/28
- County Leadership Luncheon at the ACE Center in Layfayette Hill 5/30
For more information on all upcoming events, visit the Chamber’s event calendar.
On the Move: Bank Your Bucks May 22, 2008
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Submitted by Mary Pat Kessler, Director Business Development, Brown & Brown Consulting
I wanted to thank the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce for hosting the On the Move Workshop on the importance of how to be a connector and make networking more than just exchanging business cards. Liz Dow, from LEADERSHIP Philadelphia, was excellent. Her presentation on The Connector Project was fascinating and informative. Liz discussed the importance of connecting and how connectors have encouraged social and economic change in Greater Philadelphia. Connectors are people who like and trust other people, and are liked and trusted in return. Connectors enjoy “linking” up people who might not know each other, but together accomplish good. Many times, connectors connect and walk away, not looking for anything in return. They think useful information should be shared not hoarded and typically fly under the radar. Another interesting trait is that connectors always make people feel better. When they meet you, you have their undivided attention. The capability exercises were thought provoking. It is interesting to think about the way you want to be described by people you come in contact with professionally and personally. At the end of Liz’s presentation I determined I was in the company of some amazing connectors, who were OTM volunteers! (more…)
Mark on Fox May 12, 2008
Posted by megan in Chamber in the News, Photos.add a comment
Mark Schweiker, our President & CEO, promoted the Chamber-sponsored PhillyMagnet Career Fair live at Fox29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” anchor desk with co-anchors Sheinelle Jones and John Anderson.
This Week at the Chamber May 5, 2008
Posted by megan in Events, Networking.add a comment
- Pennsylvania Legislative Reception at the Keystone Building in Harrisburg TODAY
- Business After Hours at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia 5/8
- Arts & Business Council Awards 2008 at the PA Convention Center 5/9
For more information on all upcoming events, visit the Chamber’s event calendar.
