On Tuesday, May 1, 2012 the BABC hosted the Young Professional Group (YPG) kick-off networking event and happy hour at Jack Wills University Outfitters. The purpose of the BABC YPG, a sub-group of the overall BABC, is to provide a forum for BABC members under the age of 40 to develop valuable business contacts within the British American business community and to exchange ideas and information with a cross section of industry professionals, trade and government officials.
Hope Krebs, BABC Board President welcomed all 50 guests, and stated: “The BABC YPG members are viewed as the next business leaders in the Greater Philadelphia area with an interest and focus on promoting the commercial relationship between our region and the UK.” She mentioned the YPG inaugural event was part of the BABC Brit Invasion 2012 series of programs featuring: British Royalty; BABC Young Professionals; local businesses supporting London 2012; and numerous opportunities to network and enhance commercial ties between the Greater Philadelphia region and the UK.
Hope introduced BABC YPG Co-Leaders, Wil Block, Vice President and Premier Relationship Manager with HSBC Bank, and Toby Wallace, Senior Relationship Manager, Endowments & Foundations with Aberdeen Asset Management, to say a few words. Wil reported on the focus and scope of the YPG, and Toby discussed his recent adventure – rowing across the Atlantic Ocean!
Objectively, the YPG will foster professional ties and enable participants to build valuable business connections. BABC YPG gatherings will fully engage the under-40 members; programs and events will focus on speakers that will provide education and foster leadership development. The BABC YPG will also include an active social element, as well as a focus and outreach for the benefit of the local community specifically in education, mentoring and leadership development for youth in the Philadelphia region.
The evening concluded with a business card raffle drawing for two weekend passes to the 2012 Collegiate Rugby Championship generously donated by USA Rugby Sevens.
Special thanks to: Jack Wills for inviting the BABC YPG to use their incredible retail space for the YPG kick-off networking event and to The British Chip Shop for catering the delicious British inspired food and beverage.
