Networking the Night Away

Marly's was hopping on Thursday night, and not just because of its new fall menu.

The bar area was filled with local attorneys, financial advisors, business developers, writers and even a Pilates instructor, all gathered for the third meeting of the Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Network. Designed to allow young business people to interact socially, exchange ideas and share common interests, the Young Professionals Network is a personal and professional development program that provides an insider's view of the regional business scene.

The program is the brainchild of Adam Swanson, the newest attorney for local firm Gregory and Adams, P.C. Eager to meet other young people in the area, Swanson attended a Junior Chamber meeting in Ridgefield. While the meeting gave him some good ideas, it wasn't exactly what he was looking for in terms of a forum for young professionals to socialize outside of the work environment.

Swanson, a proponent of the mindset "if you want something done, you've got to do it yourself," decided to contact Executive Director of The Wilton Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Barksdale. Et voilà-the Young Professionals Network was born.

The Network is open to local employees not just from Wilton but throughout the region, and Chamber membership is not required.

"We've contacted businesses all up and down Route 7," said Barksdale. "The idea is to draw as many young people together as possible."

The first meeting, held this past summer at Leah's Grill, drew a crowd of almost thirty people, all pleasantly surprised to find that so many people their age lived and worked so close to them.

"I didn't realize there were so many other young people in Wilton," one attendee exclaimed.

"People our age want to meet other people," corroborates Swanson. "The biggest problem is that you start to feel like a puppet of the office you're in."

The Young Professionals Network allows people to interact beyond their office walls in a relaxed and informal setting.

"If you have an interpersonal relationship with the people you work with, it helps and encourages your working relationship," Swanson added.

Case in point: by chance, Swanson bumped into Christa Clark, a manager with RSM McGladrey in Stamford, at Thursday's meeting. The two had communicated professionally several times throughout the course of the year, always via e-mail or phone. Their serendipitous meeting at Marly's allowed them to put a face with a name and actually get to know each other, a connection that will undoubtedly strengthen their working relationship.

In our increasingly "virtual" world of Facebook, Twitter and online business, the need to foster live, personal relationships is crucial.

"People can talk to each other online, but can they talk to each other like this?" John Schiaroli asked, pointing to the groups of people chatting around the bar. "I enjoy meeting different people and learning about what they do," said Schiaroli, Director of Business Development for Beltech Incorporated.

Beltech's Corporate Headquarters is in Las Vegas, so Schiaroli is a satellite partner working from his home office in Wilton. While being your own boss certainly has its perks, it doesn't allow for the day-to-day interactions of a traditional office setting. Social gatherings like the Young Professionals Network allow independent employees to connect with other players in the local business scene. The gatherings also give self-employed professionals an opportunity to network and market their services.

"The best return on an investment is being referred," said Schiaroli, who made some successful contacts for his burgeoning business at last night's gathering.

The meetings also offer local restaurants an opportunity to boost business with younger crowds. In addition to Leah's and Marly's, Dina's Restaurant has also hosted a Young Professionals Network event. These popular restaurants have generously donated hors d'oeuvres, and their hospitality and fare certainly gives locals reason to return time and again.

The next Young Professionals Network event will be held in January at a yet-to-be determined location. If your establishment is interested in hosting an event, please contact Stephanie Barksdale at stephanie@wiltonchamber.com. Please also let Stephanie know if you would like to be added to the email list of Young Professionals to receive updates on future events. The Young Professionals Network will soon become a group on meetup.com, and the Chamber is always looking for ways to reach out to more and more young professionals. Help spread the word, or better yet, join the group for its next event!