East Bay Chamber Launches Young Professionals Group

The East Bay Chamber of Commerce has launched a new networking group for young professionals.

The East Bay Young Professionals is ”an initiative designed to create business and social opportunities, support professional development and welcome new and existing young professionals (21 to 40) to the East Bay, Rhode Island community,” according to Wednesday chamber news released.

The group is hosting a kickoff party on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Judge Roy Bean Saloon in Bristol. There is no cost to attend the event, and guests are asked to bring a canned good to be donated to Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen. There will be live music, a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, and raffle prizes.

“We want to engage millennials in our community,” said Cidalia Rodrigues, president of the East Bay Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “But to do that successfully, this age group needs autonomy, an organizational structure they can call their own. We at the Chamber, want to empower them without micromanaging them.”

Young professionals make up about 22 percent of the three East Bay towns, according to 2010 Census data. The chamber said that amounts to about 10,800 people, which shows the potential that has been untapped until now.

“We see this is a great opportunity to bring those in that age group together in this area,” said Zach Rivers, president of EBYP.

Following his graduation from Roger Williams University several years ago, Rivers began his career in neighboring Massachusetts. In seeking to expand his professional network, he joined the Worcester Area Young Professionals Group.

“It really helped me meet people in the area, and connect with opportunities I didn’t know existed,” said Rivers, who returned to Bristol two years ago after purchasing and restoring Judge Roy Bean Saloon, a restaurant on the corner of Thames and State streets.

“Our goal as a group is to support young professionals as they expand their contact base, develop professional skills, promote themselves and their business and gain access to community leaders in relaxed settings,” Rivers said.
For more information about the East Bay Young Professionals, visit www.eastbaychamberri.org/ebyp. You can also follow the group on Facebook, and join EBYP on Meetup.