Greater Watertown Chamber announces Emerge Professional’s Group

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — The Greater Watertown-North Country (GWNC) Chamber of Commerce has announced the creation of the Emerge Professional’s Group (EPG).

The GWNC Chamber formed the program to create networking, professional development, and community-service opportunities for “rising” professionals ages 19 to 45 in Northern New York.

The chamber announced the EPG in a news release issued Tuesday.

The group’s goal is to link people coming into the workforce with “seasoned” professionals, creating a “learning environment” for all involved, the chamber said in the release.

The GWNC Chamber is currently in the planning phase for the EPG, Lynn Pietroski, the organization’s president and CEO, said in response to an email inquiry from CNYBJ.

“We are establishing application criteria, ad-hoc committee roles, events, and working with a group of young professionals who have experience in belonging to a group, such as Emerge,” said Pietroski.

The group will also consider forming a LinkedIn meet-up group, but has not yet made a decision, she adds.

The EPG will hold monthly networking opportunities and learning sessions at local “new and growing” businesses and nonprofits.

The GWNC Chamber hopes young professionals can use the EPG events to develop new skills and business contacts.

The cost to get involved in EPG is $70, which includes a one-time administration fee of $10, according to Pietroski. The annual renewal cost is $60.

Participants don’t have to be a chamber member, but the GWNC Chamber will offer a discount to participants who work for a company or organization that is a chamber member, Pietroski said.

Those interested in joining EPG, or obtaining more information, can contact the chamber at (315) 788-4400, the organization said.

With nearly 900 members, the GWNC Chamber represents the business interests of more than 22,000 employees throughout Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Lewis counties, according to the news release.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com