Event Blog

Connect with Columbus keeps getting better.  We had another successful networking event at Spaghetti Warehouse.  They have a beautiful and spacious bar area perfect for mingling and we almost filled it.  We would like to thank Spaghetti Warehouse for being such gracious hosts and providing excellent service.  We would also like to recognize the Franklinton Development Association and the Franklinton Board of Trade for participating in our event.  As always there was a wide range of professionals at our event including executive directors of non profits, sales and marketing professionals and many more.
 
We hope we will see a big crowd at our next Connect with Columbus which will take place at the new Milestone 229 located on the beautiful Scioto Mile.

Members of the Columbus community boot scooted their way to the Park Street Cantina for an evening of rompin', stompin' good fun and philanthropy at the Showdown to End Hunger event, an event for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

 

UCT partnered with Young Professionals Columbus (YPC), Wonderland, Columbus Gives Back (CGB) and EmbroidMe Dublin to help the community's hungry individuals and families. Entry to the event was a $2 donation to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank or two cans of food. More than $340 was raised and 246 cans of food collected.

 

For 30 years, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank has been working with grocers, food companies, Ohio farmers, the USDA, and community partners to obtain food and distribute it to more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, after-school programs, and senior housing sites across central and eastern Ohio.

 

"The need for emergency food assistance is at a record high," said Joan Lloyd, Operation Feed campaign director, Mid-Ohio Foodbank. "Operation Feed is an opportunity for the community to respond to the issue of hunger. We are so grateful for the organizations in central Ohio that participate in Operation Feed and help us fulfill our mission of feeding hungry families."

 

UCT conducted our own Operation Feed campaign to help the foodbank. But according to Special Events Coordinator Jen Chillinsky, our partnership with like-minded organizations for the Showdown to End Hunger allowed us to reach more people, raise more money, collect more food and significantly improve our efforts to help those who need it the most.

 

Top Donation of Money and/or Food – Adam Fitch donated $200 and won $100 worth of Gift Cards and a cowboy hat

 

Best Bull Rider – Dave Knapp of UCT won a Coffee Gift Basket donated by ARAMARK, a cowboy hat, the “bull” and a t-shirt

 

Raffle Winner – Shayne Caples won the Sports and Entertainment Package – a value of over $200 and a cowboy hat

 

Business Card Winner – Mindy Van Order of UCT won an Avon Gift Basket and a cowboy hat

We would like to thank Mouton for being such gracious hosts for our last Connect with Columbus.  For those of you who were unable to make it out, I would recommend checking out this location.  The drinks are all made with fresh squeezed fruit and they have a great selection of your favorite classics.

The next Connect with Columbus will be at Spaghetti Warehouse on Thursday, July 21.  This will be the finale of our YPCOTA Dump the Pump Event Series.  We are hoping for a record breaking turnout.

We would like to thank Columbus Brewing Company for providing us with a great atmosphere, wonderful appetizers, tasty beer and amazing staff at our last Connect with Columbus.  As usual, we welcomed back some of the usual suspects to our happy hour, but we were delighted to see so many new faces as well.   

Connect with Columbus has truly become an easy and relaxing way to meet new people while seeing what Columbus has to offer.  We hope to see all of you at the next one on May 19 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

I want to thank the Young Professionals of Columbus and Make-A-Wish Foundation --- you were phenomenal! The Career Fair on April 5th touched the lives in so many meaningful ways for the participants.

There were seeds of “hope” planted.  There were seeds of “I want to be . . . I want to be!” planted.  Most importantly, there were seeds of “dreams and possibilities” planted.  There were words shared that opened eyes to see life beyond the block. Your words let them know “where you come from doesn’t determine where you are going – only where you began”. 

It’s difficult to explain the challenges these children face.  Challenges many of us will never have to experience in our life time.  Yet, your coming here gave them a glimmer of inspiration, encouragement, and letting the participants and students know they are valued and important. Going to the school, the teachers and students had nothing but praises for the event.

Recently, I received thank you notes from one of the attending classes.  Here are a few words from the students themselves:  “It was great experience what other people do for a living; my favorite part was the mascot – it showed me different things to do, help others – and have fun too!; the computer programmers was great, now I can do something other than play on it; Net Jets gave me an idea of becoming a Flight Manager; Mary Kay – my own business – I like it!; the camera was cool too; and as I heard over and over again --- please have this for the kids next year!”  Even a couple of your members shared the same words – let’s do this in the Fall.

There are no words that can touch upon what the heart feels.  Thank you seems so minimal, when the smallest act of caring has the potential to turn a life around.  Your being here showed them the value of giving back to the community.

Yes, we must do this again!

Sincerely,

Brenda J. Fields, Education Program Supervisor

Capital Kids @ Sullivant Gardens

If you notice more Young Professionals around Columbus practicing excellent table manners and engaging in proper business dinner conversation, there’s a good chance they picked up a few tips at Monday’s YPC Dine for Success event.

The expertly professional Cathi Fallon, director of The Etiquette Institute, coached our YPC members through the dining dos and don’ts during a delicious three-course meal provided by the Capital Club of Columbus.

The dinner etiquette “how to” included savvy silverware techniques and styles of eating (do you eat American or Continental style? Hint: you’ll know by the way you hold your fork!) and covered all the essentials – from toasting to tipping.

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the YPC Dine for Success event! We look forward to seeing you at one of Columbus’ fine dining establishments making us (and Cathi) proud.

Our last stop was at the Polaris Dave & Buster’s.  The expectations were high considering the fun atmosphere that a place like Dave & Buster’s can provide.  We were not disappointed.  Every attendee received a $10 game play card generously donated by our host.  Some enjoyed playing games immediately while others are saving their cards for another night of fun with friends and family. 

As always, there was a great atmosphere for networking and everyone who attended met someone new.  There were lawyers, public relations professionals, students, sales professionals and many other professions present.  We hope to see many new and familiar faces at the next Connect with Columbus on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.