News
YPC President's Report from D.C. Trip
Dear YPC Members,
I wanted to update you on the accomplishments of the Partnership's Annual DC DM UNITED Lobbying Trip as it relates to YPC. Overall, the trip was very beneficial and critical for me to represent YPC to promote an environment that attracts and retains young professionals in Greater Des Moines. There are three specific accomplishments of this year's DC DM UNITED trip.
The kickoff of this year's trip included a Nada's concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Partnership spread the word about this kickoff event to any young professonals living and working in the D.C. area. During this reception, I talked to many young professionals, many of whom are congressional staffers. This was a great opportunity to give them a little information about the great things that are going on in the metro and how YPC is playing an important role to help create an environment to attract and retain young people in Greater Des Moines.
These conversations were not only important on a individual level for these young people to consider a life back in Des Moines, but were also educational for the congressional staffers to become informed about YPC and other young professional organizations throughout the state. This information will be beneficial to help spread the word about YPC's successes and future initiatives to the Iowa Delegation.
During the trip, there were also specific quality of life and transportation presentations to the Iowa Delegation. The quality of life presentation included many projects affecting our demographic. If these projects are funded, they will yield tens of millions of dollars for Greater Des Moines that would truly make it a better place to live. For a full list of the projects and funding amounts, please visit www.desmoinesmetro.com/dctrip. The Partnership will provide an update on projects that are successfully funded.
Lastly, the key that has made this trip successful for 30 years is that business and community leaders understand its importance and therefore send representatives to attend the trip on an annual basis. One of my major goals of this trip was to inform everyone about YPC and how we support our mission. Specifically, this year I wanted to lay a foundation with the Affiliate Chamber Organizations so that YPC can do a better job of connecting our members back into the communities in which they live and work. Historically, YPC has done a great job of connecting our members on a regional level and downtown as our core. Building relationships with these Affiliates will allow YPC members to also be connected on the micro level. I had great discussions with Clive, Pleasant Hill, West Des Moines, Indianola, Urbandale, Polk City, Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Johnston, and Grimes about ways to collaborate. Additionally, I had conversations with those who can help YPC spread the word to young people who would also like to get better connected in the Greater Des Moines Community. Metro colleges including AIB, Drake, Grand View, Simpson, and DMACC were also present on the trip and recognize the importance of getting their students more involved.
Again, I was honored to represent YPC in our Nation's capital. Please let me know if you have additional questions about the trip.
Adam Gross
Young Professionals Connection
2008 President
