Jonesboro Young Professionals Network hosts leadership conference

Hailey Knight, executive director of Downtown Jonesboro, said the 175 people who participated Friday (May 6) in the Jonesboro Young Professionals Network are on the cusp of their careers, seeking to network and build their professional and personal futures.

The group hosted its sixth annual leadership conference Friday to help young professionals get the support and training they need to build their career, Knight said. About 70 people attended the conference, sponsored by the group, which is part of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. Knight said the conference had topics like adapting to technology, using social media, economic growth in a town and having a sense of community.

Rep. Warwick Sabin, D-Little Rock, spoke to the group about economic development, while Blytheville native Luke Pruett spoke about his non-profit group in Memphis called Teach 901.

Knight said the group meets on a monthly basis to have professional development, luncheons and service projects around Jonesboro. In order to be a part of the group, a person has to be 21 to 39 years old as well as a member of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Bethany Noto, who is also part of the group, said the young people who are part of JYPN are also wanting to build Jonesboro into a better place.