A sunny day on the green June 29, 2009
Posted by megan in Chamber Affiliates, Events, YPN.add a comment
Submitted by: Mai-Linh Hoang
On June 22, 60 golfers enjoyed a perfect golfing day at YPN’s second annual golf outing at Bala Golf Club. Most groups of four golfers included a senior business executive— Chamber board members Anthony Campisi of Annodyne, Inc., Michael Carbone of TD Bank, and Fran Van Kirk of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc., participated. All proceeds from the golf outing supported summer internships for Philadelphia youth.
Kevin Cafferky of Philadelphia OIC and current chair of the YPN board states, “The ability for YPN to put on a golf outing of this caliber is a great honor for us. We have the distinct opportunity to put young professionals in contact with premier business leaders in the greater Philadelphia region. What other organization besides YPN gives young professionals the ability to golf with a prominent business leader or Chamber board member?”
Joe Mahoney, Executive Vice President at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce thanked all the golfers for coming out to support the summer internships, at the reception after the outing. Other Chamber board members in attendance were Bill Sasso of Stradley Ronan and Scott Mirkin of ESM Productions, who also sponsored the 6th Hole Refreshment Stand. In addition, we would like to thank AllState for sponsoring the 1st Hole Refreshment stand and Comcast Spectator as the luncheon sponsor. For the full list of golf hole sponsors, please click here.
Click here to see pictures of the event.
Women Taking Charge June 19, 2009
Posted by megan in Events, Photos.add a comment
Submitted by: Stephanie Takach, Chamber Programs and Events
Over 175 women gathered at the Rittenhouse Hotel on June 16 to recognize distinguished women executives who have proven themselves as leaders in the workplace. Nell Merlino, keynote speaker and the creative force behind Take Our Daughters to Work Day, told women to stop waiting and get what they want with some imagination and dedication. She referenced her book, “Steps for Getting What You Want Out of life” to empower the businesswomen to imagine bigger lives and recognize that their goals are possible.
The panelists included Donna Allie, President and Founder of Team Clean, Inc.; Renee Amoore, President of The Amoore Group, Inc.;
Marth Soehren, Chief Learning Officer and Senior VP of Comcast University for Comcast Cable; and Faith Williams, Loyalty Marketing Manager for Cancer Treatment Centers of America with Lyn Kremer publisher of the Philadelphia Business Journal as the moderator. Amoore’s passion was exhibited by her push for women to get involved in politics because with multiple women represented on boards and councils there can be real change. Allie shared her story of having a master’s but not being able to find a job. She then did what she did best—clean houses. She built her enterprise, Team Clean, from the ground up and the company now has over $17 million in sales. Soehren believed that women need to have patience and be focused to become a leader and Williams told women to take risks if it means getting what they want. All of the panelists motivated the female leaders in the audience to become agents of change in their communities and businesses.
Click here to see pictures from the event.
Click here to view Groundbreakers, a recent Ernst & Young report that examines the impact of women on the economy.
Economic Opportunity at Supplier Network June 19, 2009
Posted by megan in Uncategorized.add a comment
Submitted by Michael Tolassi, Jr., Owner, Agio Brand Solutions LLC
The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce organized another great event hosted at the spectacular and historic Union League of Philadelphia. The Supplier Network’s Procurement Pipeline offered a great opportunity for small businesses to connect with procurement officers of larger corporations. Area corporations such as Comcast and Blue Cross along with Universities such as St. Joseph’s and Drexel attended the session seeking qualified small businesses to serve their needs. I was very pleased with the attendance and assistance from area corporations. The procurement officers were friendly, helpful and open to discussion. The Pipeline was kicked off with an informative speech by Mr. Michael Bell, Mayor Nutter’s newly appointed Executive Director of the City’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Mr. Bell spoke of the City’s interest in increasing minority spending and suggested possible opportunities for business with the city. Moreover, and certainly not less important, it was great to have met other qualified and certified small businesses. As a small business owner, it is occasionally a challenge to locate professionals for goods and services. I find these chamber events an opportunity to meet great small businesses. Looking forward to the next event.
Click here to view photos of the this event.
YPN Volunteers at McClure Elementary Spring Fling June 12, 2009
Posted by megan in Photos, YPN.add a comment
Submitted by Chris Parker, TD Bank
On Friday June 5, Young Professionals Network held their third Annual Spring Fling at McClure Elementary School in North Philadelphia. Despite the grey skies, the event was a bright one, lit up by the smiling faces of fifty McClure Students who Assistant Principal Randy Davila had invited to attend. The students’ excitement and enthusiasm was contagious and YPN volunteers, alongside the McClure Staff, enjoyed pizza followed by dancing, games, and a surprise visit by the Ben & Jerry’s truck!
Students received a certificate recognizing their attendance and gifts contributed by both Variety – The Children’s Charity and TD Bank. Eighteen of the students in attendance were selected because of their perfect attendance during the school year, while teachers selected other for showing good citizenship (the definition of which was the topic of a group discussion as the festivities wound down). YPN volunteers, McClure staff and students all had a pleasing and rewarding day.
Let the excitement for the fourth Annual Spring Fling begin!
Click here to view photos from the event.
Employers and Recent Grads: Connect at Campus Philly’s Opportunity Fair June 11, 2009
Posted by megan in Job openings, Member Submitted.add a comment
Campus Philly is producing the 2009 Opportunity Fair to connect regional employers with recent graduates and young alumni, with initial support from the City of Philadelphia, twenty college and university partners, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The fair provides an opportunity for employers to build a base of talented young recruits by offering grads full-time entry level positions and professional level internships.
The 2009 Opportunity Fair will take place on June 16, 2009 from 12-4pm at Saint Joseph’s University’s James J. Maguire ‘58 Campus. Click here for more information.
Have a “Wrench” in the System? June 9, 2009
Posted by megan in Uncategorized.add a comment
Need to improve the bottom line? Join the British American Business Council for a business networking event featuring Harold Hambrose, founder and CEO of Electronic Ink and special guest moderator Matthew Cross of Think London on Wednesday, June 17 at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia from 8-10 a.m.
Hambrose will share his expertise on how to turn an underperforming digital asset into an effective communications tool, how to dramatically boost productivity, and how to reduce training costs in order to achieve a better return on one of your company’s largest investments.
Also, don’t miss the opportunity to network with our Think London representative (www.thinklondon.com) and learn about what London has to offer, including business opportunities for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
This timely breakfast will convene a specially selected group of business leaders from both public and private sectors for a morning of high-level and intimate discussion. For more information or to register, click here.
Water Works Well for Networking June 8, 2009
Posted by megan in Events, Networking, Photos.add a comment
Submitted by Spencer Williams, Avaya Business Partner
Another superb event put on by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Held at the breathtaking Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, this between hours networking function combined great food by The Couch Tomato Café and the comfortable space of the Water Works museum. I am always looking for new and existing businesses interested in alternatives to their existing communications systems, and found myself speaking and exchanging business cards with many different companies. As a regular at these types of events, I found that the attendance for this mid-day event was quite good. Good food + Good people + Good networking = Successful Chamber Event. I, as well as the others I spoke with, look forward to another creative venue and networking event. Kudos to the Chamber staff. See you soon!
Click here to view photos from the event.
YPN at Ralph’s Cafe June 4, 2009
Posted by megan in Networking, Photos, YPN.add a comment
Submitted by Mai-Linh Hoang, DAL Inc.
YPN hosted Dr. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, on Monday, June 1 at Ralph’s Cafe on the 43rd and 44th floors of the Comcast Center. Dr. Ackerman spoke of her strong belief of her school district and how the public school system has given opportunities to those less fortunate, of which she is also a living witness of what public schools can do for young people. The largest movement for the district is the implementation of Imagine 2014, which focuses on accomplishing these goals: student success, quality choices, great staff, accountable adults, and world-class operations. She looks to improve upon the 47% drop out rate before the 12th grade; the 49% of African American males dropping out of high school; and the 59% of Hispanic males dropping out of high school.
We, as young professionals, have a unique opportunity to make a difference for our school district. Dr. Ackerman stated, “One adult in the life of child will get them through school”. That “one adult” can be you.
The first step in helping the children in our school district is to sign up for YPN’s volunteer event on June 5th at McClure Elementary to celebrate their “Spring Fling”. The next YPN networking event will be on July 23rd at XIX in the Bellevue Building.
Click here to view photos from the event.
The Next GPCC President & CEO June 4, 2009
Posted by megan in Congrats.add a comment
On June 1, we announced Rob Wonderling as a our next President & CEO. Click here to learn more.
Meet Rob Wonderling, Our Next President & CEO June 4, 2009
Posted by megan in Chamber in the News, Video.add a comment
In the clip above, from Monday’s press conference, our next President & CEO discusses his vision for the Chamber.
