Young Professionals Play a Starring Role in the Region

By Cat McGaffigan

The Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts (EDC) recently debuted a new DVD meant to attract and retain young professionals in the Pioneer Valley. At the launch party, members of the Northampton Area Young Professionals (NAYP) and the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) networked with executives from the EDC, MassMutual, Six Flags New England, Yankee Candle, the City of Springfield and other top employers from the area.

Guest speakers emphasized the need to keep our young talent in the area and praised the members of the YPS and NAYP for their significant strides in the short time they have been in existence. The DVD features members of NAYP including Tara Tetreault of Jackson & Connor, Xiaolel Hua of PeoplesBank, NAYP President Ned Leutz, and NAYP Membership Director Owen Freeman-Daniels who spoke on camera about their experience living and working in the Pioneer Valley.

The Northampton Chamber previewed the DVD with its members at the June Meet & Eat breakfast and followed up with a discussion about ways to keep young professionals in the area and engaged in the community.

The DVD is available for human resource departments and all organizations to use as a tool for promoting the area. If you are interested in viewing the DVD, you can find it on our website at www.thenayp.com or on the EDC’s website at www.westernmassedc.com. You may also request a copy of the DVD by calling the EDC at 413-787-1368.