Why I YPC (Young Professionals Connection)

I have enough familiarity with the music scene in Des Moines to know that there are jazz performances. I've read about Noce. I've heard about the history and reincarnation of Jazz in July. I know that the Des Moines Social Club has held a jazz festival. But what I've failed to do is take advantage of these opportunities in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and experience these cultural resources in a meaningful way. 

YPC Gets Me Out

Getting off the couch and out of my comfort zone is why I became part of the Young Professionals Connection (YPC). Before this year, I had never attended a concert presented by the Civic Music Association (CMA). Recently, YPC has partnered with the CMA to provide discounted concert tickets exclusively to YPC members offering me the opportunity to see a high-quality performance at a discounted price with like-minded professionals. 

In March, I attended the performance of Veronica Swift with the Benny Green Trio. Green and Swift are both New Yorkers, and the Des Moines concert was part of their Winter tour of the Midwest. I was impressed with the show, as were my fellow YPC members in attendance. We heard Benny Green originals and jazz standards that go back decades. It was a diverse set list that cultured YPC attendees with a blast from the past. 

YPC got us more than just discounted tickets for the event. We were also invited to an exclusive after-concert social at the Coda Lounge in the newly renovated Renaissance Savery Hotel. Not only was this an opportunity to socialize and network as young professionals, but it was also a chance to meet with the performers themselves. 

Veronica Swift (pictured above third from left), at 23 years old, is a young professional herself.  Although the life of a professional singer is a quite different path than that of a typical YPC member, we were able to talk about issues relevant to all young professionals, including generational divides, technology, work-life balance, travel and other interests. Without YPC's connection to the CMA and this concert, I would have surely missed that powerful performance, and the fun evening out after. 

YPC's Diversity + Culture (D+C) initiatives are designed to broaden the horizons of young professionals, like me, and expose us to the people, places and experiences we may not run across in our day-to-day work and life. The March concert was just one of the many events D+C has planned for 2019. Others include February's Creative of the Year Finalists Panel Discussion, as well as upcoming Dinners Around Des Moines, April discussions with Market Day and the LatinX community and much more.  Check out the YPC website for more information on upcoming events.

Young Professionals Connection (YPC) aims to attract and retain young professionals in Greater Des Moines (DSM) by connecting emerging leaders to each other and to the community through social, civic, charitable and professional development endeavors. Learn how you can get involved.