Young Professionals hosting second event
PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK
Members of the new Young Professionals of Maryville group sit around a table and discuss what they want to see out of the group at the first After Hours event in April at the Dogtown Bar and Grill. The second After Hours event happens this evening at The Pub.
One of Maryville’s newest community groups is off to a great start.
After a successful first After Hours event at the end of April, the Young Professionals of Maryville will be hosting another After Hours event at The Pub this evening.
Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce executive director Lily White said the last event, held at the Dogtown Bar and Grill, was a rousing success.
“We had about 35 to 40 people come out when all was said and done,” White said. “Everyone seemed excited and we had a lot of different ideas for what the group would look like.
“That was bigger than any social event we’ve had since I’ve been here, and it was pretty great. We also sent out a survey for those who couldn’t attend, and we learned a lot of the same things.”
The survey included questions ranging from respondents’ hometowns and what their favorite movie characters were to their preferences for meeting frequency, events, and community organizations they wished to assist. White said the group was split down the middle on their opinions.
“Some people preferred the group to be a social networking group, others wanted to have a community service element,” White said. “I would like to intertwine them and put the two together, having social events but also doing some community service.
“My goal is that I want to see people reach out of their own groups. Even though we’re a small town, you develop your network with people you see all the time, and a lot of people’s paths never really cross.”
To assist in the goal of making paths cross, White’s idea for this summer is to start a series of games aimed at allowing attendees to get to know each other better.
“I’m hoping to do a Young Professionals Summer Olympics, but with goofy games like Pictionary,” White said. “I’m hoping to start this out (tonight), but we’ll likely only have one game.
“I also want to encourage people to get involved, so we’re going to break off into several bigger teams so that, if someone can’t make it to an After Hours event one time, they can still play and their team doesn’t suffer without them.”
The Young Professionals of Maryville After Hours event kicks off tonight at 5 p.m. at The Pub, just north of the Square on North Main Street.