What an EPIC

Zach Lahey of Manhattan’s chats with Becky Zibbel of Roman Peshoff Marketing & Public Relations at the Epic Kickoff (scroll down for more photos)

Toledo’s new young professionals organization kicks off at the Erie Street Market

by David Fine

published February 14th 2007

Just ask anyone who attended — Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Erie Street Market was an evening of EPIC proportions.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce kicked off its new young professionals networking and community service organization “EPIC: Engaging People Inspiring Change,” at the ESM with a catered introductory networking event.

EPIC Toledo aims to help young professionals, ages 21 to 40, develop into future business and community leaders, provide them with a voice in the future of the Toledo area, and attract and retain diverse young professionals.

Approximately 300 people attended the event, representing businesses large and small. Many of them in their early to mid-20s were excited about the prospect of a new organization that will help them meet people, get involved in their community and, for those self-employed or in sales, broaden their customer base.

“We’ve obviously hit a nerve,” said Brian Epstein, Chairman of EPIC Toledo, on the turnout. “There’s a disconnect between the current business and organization leadership and EPIC’s age range. This age range has been wanting to get involved, they just haven’t known where to go.”

“We’re going to have some focus groups with leaders and representatives from Toledo’s arts and cultural organizations,” said Dana Winfield, 23, a development associate with the Toledo Symphony who is on EPIC Toledo’s Cultural Arts Committee. People from the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Symphony, libraries, universities, The Collingwood Arts Center and more come together “to have some dialogue about what they’re looking to gain and benefit with what EPIC’s doing and the Chamber’s doing.” The committee will be having its first monthly meeting at the Panera Bread on Talmadge Road on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 a.m.

“I think I’d be really interested in the Marketing Committee,” said Becky Zibbel, who’s been working for Roman Peshoff Marketing Public Relations for more than one year.

Tanya Pipatjarasgit, a sales associate with Signature Associates, has only been back in Toledo a few years after living in New York City. “I still don’t know many people here... I’m always looking for an opportunity to network with young professionals, to bring business and meet people.”

Toledo City Council member and communications consultant Frank Szollosi was happy with the turnout for the EPIC kickoff. “This is why I ran for office. This is the future of the city, this generation.”

“What’s neat about this group is that you have the [Toledo] Chamber [of Commerce] behind it,” said Ethan Sparrow, a broker with CB Richard Ellis and member of EPIC Toledo’s Economic Development Committee, “It’s going to be an up and coming group with community and business involvement, there will be good things to come.”

There are other professional organizations in Toledo, such as Aspiring Minds (www.aspiringminds.org) which EPIC Toledo Chairman Brian Epstein has been involved with. However, EPIC Toledo’s focus on young professionals, its action committees and its support from the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce suggests that it could be something really special.

“The entire program is based on the belief that if you have a region that is influenced by young professionals it will be able to attract and retain them,” said Wendy Gramza, executive vice president of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “EPIC is the connecting point that brings opportunities to serve in the community — for example, a seat on a board in a nonprofit company — together with the young professionals.”

EPIC Toledo will be bringing in local economic development experts for talks with members, and will host a breakfast series beginning March 22, called “A Breakfast of EPIC Proportions” to discuss economic development. Steve Weathers, president of the regional growth partnership will be speaking at the first breakfast.

“We are going to create an atmosphere where people who are considering relocating to Toledo will see that there’s a mechanism — EPIC Toledo — that will help people new to the community get connected with other young professionals,” said Gramza.

Mike Grady, 25, of Brooks Insurance is an example of that. He just moved to Toledo from Cleveland and attended the kick-off. “It’s a great way to learn what the community is really about,” he said.

Visit www.epictoledo.com.