Chamber starts networking group for younger crowd

The Network is aimed at individuals ages 21 to 40 who are interested in networking, community involvement and learning more about what Springfield has to offer, said Kristen Westerman, the chamber’s manager of work force and business development.

“It’s something we’ve been hearing about for several years,” Westerman said, adding that the chamber hopes to curtail the “brain drain” of young talent from Springfield.

The Network is available to chamber members and their employees as well as college students who are at least 21, Westerman said. A standard one-year membership is $100 and $50 for students, she said.

For its inaugural year, The Network has lined up monthly events that include a conversation with a prominent business leader, an arts and culture night and a tour of downtown’s Jordan Valley Park, Westerman said.

Tickets for the kickoff are $15, which includes admission and food. To register for the event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. on the J. Buck’s Patio at Hammons Field, visit the chamber Web site at www.springfieldchamber.com or call (417) 862-5567.

See SBJ’s May 14 issue for more about The Network and its upcoming events.