YPN of the Quad Cities

The need to attract and retain a diverse, young workforce, the need to redefine the way the region market’s and showcases itself, the need to identify and grow emerging leaders, and the need to engage young people in issues facing the region have risen as a community-wide priority and strategy.

Understanding these needs, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce started and continues to support the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Quad Cities – an organization dedicated to engaging area young professionals in shaping and showcasing the greater Quad City region.

Where we began…

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Quad Cities kicked off its first event on April 11, 2002 with 150 young professionals in attendance. This officially began the first young professionals organization in the Quad Cities.

YPN ended its first year with 375 young professionals in its network. From the very beginning, YPN has focused on serving the bi-state region by allowing open membership to all individuals, regardless of affiliation or membership with the Illinois Quad City Chamber. Over the past five years, YPN has grown to be a network of Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities young professionals, with nearly half of YPN’s network living in Iowa . As this network has grown, so too has the involvement of the region’s business community through YPN corporate sponsors. YPN grew from seven corporate investors to thirty five investors since 2004. The network has grown from 150 to over 1700 young people from diverse backgrounds, professions, and lifestyles. This represents employees of nearly 400 area businesses and organizations.

Where we are today…

YPN’s programs have evolved much like its network. YPN has become known for its signature event – YPN Monthly – where friends, coworkers, and other young professionals meet each month at an area restaurant, bar, or special venue after work to socialize, make business and community contacts, and experience the Quad Cities quality of life. The YPN monthly is the area’s premier event for young professionals attracting over 100 people each month.

However, this isn’t YPN’s only event. YPN has developed new programs and events to broaden young people’s knowledge and experience of the Quad Cities. Through monthly luncheon events, known as CEO Roundtable and Access Quad Cities , YPN hosts a conversation with area business and community leaders related to career, business, leadership, and important issues developing across the Quad Cities. Through YPNgage, young professionals can get “engaged” in the Quad Cities by volunteering for area organizations and non-profit agencies. Through group service projects, non-profit fairs, and a new volunteer development program, YPN is helping cultivate our community’s future leaders.

To help encourage the development of a social network and showcase the Quad City region’s quality of life, YPN connects young people through special events, such as a New Year’s Eve party or a Chicago Cubs game, and its many interest clubs, which includes a book, cigar, dinner, fitness, hunting, poker, ski, travel, and wine clubs.

One of the newest and rapidly expanding programs is the YPN Hot Spot Card, through which over 40 area retailers, restaurants, entertainment and cultural amenities offer exclusive discounts to YPN members.

Where is YPN going?

YPN has a strong vision for helping the Quad Cities become a vibrant economic leader with an engaging, diverse population from all backgrounds, professions, and lifestyles. To this end, YPN will continue its current mission while seeking out and encouraging a diversity of people, ideas, experiences, and professions in the organization. The increasingly mobilized YPN members will also seek ways to advocate issues important to enhancing the Quad Cities’ quality of life. As an integral component of BluePrint2010, YPN will continue developing new programs to assist the Quad City region’s talent attraction and retention initiatives. With a growing network of over 1700, young people can explore the social, professional, and cultural opportunities in the Quad City region through YPN. Over the upcoming years, YPN will strive to be the connection to the Quad Cities’ quality of life for all young professionals.