A new networking group specifically for young professionals is starting up in the Comox Valley, with the first meeting scheduled for Nov. 15.

The Young Professionals of Comox Valley (YPCV) aims to promote social interaction and assist in the professional development of the Comox Valley鈥檚 future business leaders.

The group is open to business professionals, employees and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 who live or work in the Comox Valley.

鈥淭he Valley is continually growing and attracting more young people,鈥� says Joe Renooy, a chartered accountant at MNP LLP in Courtenay, who is spearheading the new group. 鈥淓stablishing a network of young professionals will ensure that there is always a place for the next generation of business and community leaders to connect and share ideas.

鈥淎fter university, when I came back to the Comox Valley to start my career here, I had a hard time connecting with other young professionals,鈥� he continues. 鈥淵oung professionals tend to share a lot of the same questions, experiences and concerns. Our aim is to simply provide a place and time where they can meet, network and learn from each other.鈥�

The YPCV鈥檚 first meeting will feature a presentation by Leif Bogwald, CA, president of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo (YPN), which has emerged as a prominent voice in the Nanaimo business community in just two years.

Bogwald will discuss the history of the YPN and explain how it has successfully raised awareness of the area鈥檚 young business talent.

鈥淭he goal for our first meeting is to simply connect young professionals and get their input as to how they would like this group to run,鈥� says Renooy, noting the group is expected to be quite informal to start. 鈥淭he more we discuss the idea with other young professionals in the Valley, the more we鈥檙e hearing something like this would be well received. I鈥檓 excited to hear everyone鈥檚 ideas at the first meeting!鈥�

The first meeting of the YPCV will be held in the Denman & Hornby Room at the Old House Village Hotel & Spa at 1730 Riverside Lane in Courtenay on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 5-7 p.m.

For more information, contact Joe Renooy, CA, at 778-225-7234 or joe.renooy@mnp.ca.

鈥� Young Professionals of Comox Valley