Why young people should consider an old Chamber

The Whitby Chamber of Commerce (WCC) celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2018, meaning the non-profit organization was established in 1928. As you can imagine, the Chamber and its programs have changed quite a bit over the years. Often, people unfamiliar with Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade picture a group of men making deals in a cigar-filled boardroom. That’s not quite what our headquarters looks like these days. Our purpose in this modern business community is to provide opportunities for professionals to connect, learn and lead at all stages of their career.

Although colleges and universities are teaching transferable skills in the classroom, there’s only one way to master the craft of networking — get out and do it! When I was a post-secondary student, I had access to many professional associations in my field of study, but most hosted their networking events in Toronto. As a mature student, with the intention of raising my family here in Durham Region, making a ton of connections in downtown Toronto with my very limited time and student budget just wasn’t ideal.

That’s why the WCC has created a number of opportunities for students and young professionals to connect with their peers and the broader business community. ConnXGEN is a networking group for under-30 professionals looking to share resources and connect with like-minded individuals. Starting off with a bang at its launch party hosted at Town Brewery, there is more to come in 2019 as this group continues to grow. Interested in checking it out? Look for updates in the ConnXGEN Facebook Group or email us at info@whitbychamber.org for more information!

– Heather Bulman, Marketing & Communications Manager, Whitby Chamber of Commerce

Originally published on durhamregion.com.