The Bay Area Young Professionals committee includes, from left, Chairman Jordan Myers, Philip Dalimonte, Amanda Converse, Brittany Robinson and Jessica Cleveland.

Article published in The Palm Harbor Beacon, April 2013

By KERRY SCHOFIELD

PALM HARBOR – Bay Area Young Professionals, a multi-chamber of commerce affiliated group, is the premier network for established and emerging young leaders in the North Pinellas and western Hillsborough County areas.

The organization is a rapidly growing group of executives and entrepreneurs between the ages of 21 and 40 who represent many different area industries. BAYP, formerly Tri-Chamber Young Professionals, is an umbrella organization of the Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor and Upper Tampa Bay chambers of commerce.

“It’s really about how to build yourself in the community and how to build your name,” said Jordan Myers, BAYP chairman. “We network and people get to meet each other.”

Myers, who is a Realtor for RE/MAX Elite Realty and a member of the board of directors of the Greater Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, said BAYP encourages participation in community fundraising and humanitarian events. BAYP members are committed to improving the quality of life in the Tampa Bay area while growing and succeeding as young professionals. They work hand-in-hand with leaders in the community.

The organization helps to sponsor the Pinellas Education Foundation’s Doorway Scholarship program by volunteering time and talent to mentor and tutor students in grades 6 to 10. Eligible students may be nominated for a Take Stock in Children/Doorways scholarship, which includes tuition to a two-year college or technical school.

“We want to be a bridge between the chambers to combine the new and the old,” Myers said. “We’re truly trying to make it a leadership platform.”

BAYP holds networking and happy hour events on the fourth Tuesday of every month at local area restaurants. With over 500 chamber- affiliated BAYP members, the monthly event attracts about 50 to 60 people each month, of which 50 percent are new attendees.

“We do things a little differently at our events other than everyone just standing around and talking,” Myers said.

People are paired up to introduce each other to new people and guests play business card bingo.

Folks try to find who has business cards with the characteristics mentioned on the playing board.

The game encourages people to mingle outside their usual circle of acquaintances.

“There’s a common ground and there are other people in their same position,” Myers said.

In the past, the monthly events have been held at Lee Roy Selmon’s Restaurant, Winghouse Bar & Grill, Kelly’s, Tampa Bay Downs, and the Living Room on Main in Dunedin.

To learn more about this month’s event and the Bay Area Young Professionals group, visit bayareayps.com.

The group also can be reached by calling 813-810- 0015 or send an email to bayareayps.gmail.com.