Young professionals group plans its first leadership conference

The Holland/Zeeland Young Professionals (HYP) plans to host its first-ever leadership conference, dubbed the Future Leaders Conference, on Feb. 16 at the Holland Civic Center Place. This conference is the first of its kind in West Michigan.
 
The conference will be geared toward developing professionals into leaders in their workplaces and communities early in their careers. Included in the half-day conference are lunch, a keynote speaker, three breakout sessions, and a happy hour hosted on-site.
 
Breakout sessions, which will feature high-caliber leaders from the Holland community, will provide attendees with opportunities to connect with other HYP movers and shakers, says HYP President Johannes Boot.
 
“Attendees of the Future Leaders Conference are in for a dose of inspiration and possibility,” says Boot. “This conference is unique because it establishes a hallmark connect-and-develop event in our community. Whether by the osmosis of networking or by inspiration from our speakers, no young professional will leave this conference empty-handed.”
 
Long-term career value

Past President Travis Steinhoff sees the long-term career value the Future Leadership Conference brings to young professionals in the Holland/Zeeland area, who have been dreaming up the event for years.
 
“If you take a step back, this conference is the culmination of a lot that has happened behind the scenes over the last three, four years,” Steinhoff says. “It’s been such a joy to watch it come together, and I think we’ve assembled a rockstar lineup that will give attendees practical takeaways that will help them in their careers.” 
 
Speakers include keynote speaker Rodger Price, of Leading by Design; breakout host Joe Matthews, vice president of DEI at Gentex; breakout host Dave Wylen, Office of Possibilities, Hope College; and a panel discussion by Jodi Owczarski, president of West Coast Chamber of Commerce; Nathan Bocks, mayor of Holland; and Patrick Cisler, executive director of Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance.
 
Tickets are on sale now for $39 each and are available on HYP’s website www.behyp.org.