Young Professionals Address the Leadership Gap

September 29 & 30, 135 leaders of Young Professionals Organizations (YPO’s) representing over 46,000 young professionals will gather for the Third Annual YP Summit at the UW Fluno Center in Madison, WI. Young Professionals Organizations (YPOs) from Montana to Bermuda will attend this one-of-a-kind event. The footprint of the next generation is already reflected by their growing influence.

As Baby Boomers Pass the Mantle to Generation X – How Will Things Change?

(Madison, WI) Fifteen years ago most Baby Boomers were hesitant, if not downright resistant to the thought of the next generation replacing them in the workplace. Now Boomers - who see family and friends retiring around them - are welcoming the next generation, their successors, with open arms. The Baby Boomers who harbored a “not so fast” attitude towards dot-com entrepreneurs in the 1990’s are now hustling to pass the baton of leadership to the next generation at work, in civic groups and beyond.

The next generation of young professionals stands ready for the hand-off. Young leaders who are sophisticated with technology and media are anxious to implement their own ideas for transforming their communities. Business as usual is unusual for the next generation, and the ripple effects are traveling around the globe.

Young professionals blaze trails that stretch – and often explode - traditional paradigms. Young Professionals Organizations are springing up around the globe and influencing the way traditional business organizations, education associations and governments conduct business. For example:

In Richmond, IN, a group of young professionals is buying and rehabbing historic homes, creating a destination for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
In Detroit, a small group of high tech 30-somethings upgraded an entire school’s broadband network in one weekend with volunteer labor.

Madison MAGNET (Madison Area Growth Network) and Next Generation Consulting will host the leaders of these initiatives at the Third Annual International YP Summit. Attendance has grown 63% since 2005. Attendees will learn how to build strong YP Organizations, increase their individual leadership effectiveness and be inspired by how their peers are building better places to live and work.

Rebecca Ryan, researcher, consultant and entrepreneur is recognized nationally for her work with Generation X. Ryan’s team at Next Generation Consulting has interviewed over 10,000 young people and worked with companies, governments and arts organizations to attract, engage and retain the next generation of talent. Call 608.469.1984 or visit http://www.ypcommons.org or http://www.nextgenerationconsulting.com for more information.