Conference leads to connection

Moving to Cedar Rapids was a 'by-default” choice in my life. I married this awesome guy who took a great job in Cedar Rapids, so I moved here. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about this place at first. I knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur and continue teaching dance, but without any connections it was difficult to begin.

I had been herefor two months when I heard about the Next Gen. Summit, a combined project of the Creative Corridor's two main young professional organizations: ImpactCR and EPIC. At first I thought about the interesting name alone and determined it could either be really cool, or really weird. I decided to check it out, and luckily, it turned out to be very cool, and not weird at all. It was exactly what I was looking for.

I wanted to know about volunteering. They included a non-profit fair with tons of organizations to choose from. I was looking to join a board. They had a great breakout session on ways to broaden leadership skills, including joining a local board. I wanted tostart my own business. They provided a great panel of entrepreneurs offering tons of advice on small businesses. The Next Gen. Summit was designed for someone like me, new to the area and looking to know why I should stay.

So I stayed. I volunteered, started my business, and joined two boards. One was ImpactCR's, where I became a co-chair on the steering committee for the Next Gen. Summit.

My passion for this event stems from the significant role it played in my early impressions of this community. I have always been one to want to better things and others around me. This was a perfect fit for that desire.

A big part of my involvement on the committee has been sharing ideas for bettering this conference, making it stand out, and focusing on the details that really matter to the audience; young professionals, new to the area, seeking a reason to stay here.

The Next Gen. Summit is not about networking. It's about inviting young professionals to start creating their work here. It is about aligning ideas between new and old and providing an opportunity for professionals of all levels and ages to exchange ideas. It is about sharing pride in this community, bragging, 'Iowa Pride.” I believe it is crucial to the betterment of our community to continue to engage and inspire our young people. It is how we ensure the progress, as well as sustained quality of our community. Otherwise, why stay?

The Next Gen. Summit is Oct. 1 at the U.S. Cellular Center. Registration and more information: nextgensummitcc.org

' Tallis Strub is a Next Gen. Summit Co-Chair. Comments: tallis.dance@gmail.com