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Join us for a kick-off reception in Blacksburg, VA to network with the area’s top level executives and entrepreneurs. You will have the chance to meet and build relationships that could lead to wonderful opportunities for you and the region as a whole. 
 
Location: Rackspace in Blacksburg, VA
Address: 1691 Innovation Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060
 

eXperience 2017 Programming:

We are stronger together - collectively we can build a region of which we are proud.  The 2017 eXperience summit will provide paths for YOU to become more informed and engaged in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.  Save the date and join us for our third annual event in March 2017.

Blacksburg Kick-off reception at Rackspace

Thursday, March 9, 2017 @ 5:30 pm 

Full-day YP Summit at Roanoke College

Friday, March 10, 2017 @ 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 

 

Location: Roanoke College in Salem, VA - all programming held in the Colket Center on campus.

Address: 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153

 

Parking on Roanoke College's campus: Click this link to view Roanoke College maps and directions.  Please Note: Students will be on spring break.  No classes will not be in session and parking will be available to event attendees. 

 

8:00 am Registration opens

 

8:30 am Welcome to eXperience 2017 'Kick Off' 

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8:35-9:30 am Opening Speaker

Grayson Goldsmith: "I have no idea what I’m doing … #adulting". The lead off session will provide a quick overview of what it’s like to be a YP in the region,

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Panel Discussions - Choose one session during each block.

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9:45 – 10:45 am Block 1: 

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Yes, You Can Be a Young Professional Leader Too: As a leader in the community and at their respective workplaces, this panel will help you learn the skills needed to take on bigger roles in your personal and professional lives. What traits make good leadership qualities and how can you develop your skills? Learn from those who are doing it in a major way.  

Panelists: Ariel Lev, Wil Preston, Kevin Leftwich, Rachel Hopkins. 

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New Area, New Friends, New Life: Whether you are new to the Roanoke region or just new to being an adult in the community where some people still see you as a child, it can be hard to integrate and find your niche. But you can find friends fast here. You can make connections. You are a pretty big fish in this pond and can impact the community immediately. Just look at what some of your peers are doing, and they will give you some ideas for how to do it yourself.

Panelists: John Park, Brittany Flowers, Mariana Toledo

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Take a Career Leap of Faith: Changing jobs, starting a business or even accepting a promotion can be scary. Like, really scary. Here’s how you do it – jump in with both feet. 

Panelists: Ashley Marshall, Tyler Bowersock, Kaitlyn Smith

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We Are Advocates for Social Change: Changing the world and righting wrongs seems to be ingrained in our souls as part of the millennial generation. This session will start with lessons from people who are impacting this community and their causes and move into a discussion about how you can get out there and make something happen. 

Panelists: Brad Stephens, Ashton Fallen, Macklyn Mosely

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10:55 – 11:55 am Block 2:

 

Doing It All Is/Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be: Juggling two jobs, graduate school, kids, finding time for a social life. How can one ever do it all? It’s more than possible. It’s part of the YP lifestyle.

Panelists: Bob Zemple, Malvona Ross-Sohl, Stephanie Holladay

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New Area, New Friends, New Life: Whether you are new to the Roanoke region or just new to being an adult in the community where some people still see you as a child, it can be hard to integrate and find your niche. But you can find friends fast here. You can make connections. You are a pretty big fish in this pond and can impact the community immediately. Just look at what some of your peers are doing, and they will give you some ideas for how to do it yourself. 

Panelists: John Park, Brittany Flowers, Mariana Toledo

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Take a Career Leap of Faith: Changing jobs, starting a business or even accepting a promotion can be scary. Like, really scary. Here’s how you do it – jump in with both feet. 

Panelists: Ashley Marshall, Tyler Bowersock, Kaitlyn Smith, James Revercomb

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Giving Back to the Community: Public service and volunteerism is a hot topic in today’s political climate – no matter what side you are on. From figuring out how to get involved politically to finding a place to make your mark as a volunteer, this session will help you learn how to get involved, from running for city council or reconnecting with your alma mater and everything else in between and all of which can seem pretty intimidating at first. 

Panelists: LaTron S. Brown, Michael Sutphin

 

12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch provided on-site in the Colket Center

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1:00 - 2:00 pm Closing Speaker:

JJ White will lead the Dale Carnegie leadership course. This is a great opportunity for YPs to get some real, hands-on leadership training that’s typically reserved for senior employees. Be ready to get up and move around!

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3:00 pm Happy Hour & Networking: Continue the fun over to Mac and Bob's for prizes, drinks and appetizers to wrap up a successful summit and kick off the weekend with new friends.

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GAME OF THE DAY:

XPYP will have BINGO all day that participants can play along and turn in cards for prizes at Mac and Bobs. Bingo cards will encourage people to talk to certain panelists, talk to vendors and showcase what they learned during the day.

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