AL.com Young Professionals Summit

This is Alabama 2017 Young Professionals Summit

Thursday, July 13, 2017 | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm | Regions Field

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Agenda

11:00-11:30

Registration and Lunch

11:30-12:30

Taste of Birmingham Lunch Experience

Festive, networking lunch event featuring tasty treats from your favorite Birmingham restaurants.

Featuring: Post Office Pies, O’Henry’s Coffee, East 59 Vintage and Cafe, Chicken Salad Chick, Zoe’s Kitchen, Texas de Brazil, Cantino Laredo

12:30-1:15

Kickoff & Opening Keynote

Welcome remarks from:
Tom Bates, President, Alabama Media Group
Fitzgerald Washington, Secretary, Alabama Department of Labor

Alex Banayan was named to Forbes “Top 30 Under 30” and was named on of the “Most Powerful People in Finance” by Business Insider following his appointment at Alsop Louie Partners venture capital firm at the age of 19.

Banayan is the author of the upcoming book titled, ‘”The Third Door.” The book chronicles Banayan’s five-year quest to track down Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Warren Buffett, Steven Spielberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Maya Angelou and a dozen more of the world’s most successful people to uncover how they launched their careers. Banayan is the youngest business author ever signed to Crown/Random House in its eighty-year history.

1:30-2:30

Breakout Sessions

Innovating Birmingham

Sponsored by Penn Mutual

These leaders have been the driving force for change in several sectors across Birmingham. Hear about their experiences and the roles they play in making a difference in the city.

Speakers:
Devon Laney, CEO, Innovation Depot
Meghan McCollum, Executive Director, Blank Space Bham
Deidre Clark, Founder & President, Kuumba Community Arts

Moderator: Deon Gordon, Director of Business Growth, REV Birmingham

Founders: Building Awesome Organizations

Sponsored by Jimmie Hale Mission

They had ideas and worked hard to see them come to fruition. Learn from a variety of Alabamians who took the initiative to found unique, successful businesses.

Speakers:

Isabel Rubio, Executive Director, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
Dr. Michele Kong M.D., Co-founder, KultureCity
Nick Goudreau, Co-founder, Birmingham Box
Ryan and Geri-Martha O’Hara, Founders, Big Spoon Creamery

Moderator: Will Wright, Wright Strategies

Career Center Services for HR Specialists

Hosted by Alabama Career Center System

Learn about company services like:

Personalized recruitment services, including free job postings, employee pre-screenings, and on-site interview space
Valuable tax credits that can save you money
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship programs that allow you to find and train the right employee at a lower cost

This is an excellent session for human resources and talent acquisition specialists!

2:30-3:00

Networking Break

3:00-4:00

Breakout Sessions

Creating the Bank of the Future

Hosted by BBVA Compass

The world of banking is changing –it’s no longer just a career path for those with a financial background. BBVA Compass is investing in innovative technology today to create the customer experience of tomorrow. Hear directly from the team transforming the traditional suit-and-tie industry into a startup company culture and why YOU want to be a part of it.

Building a Social Brand…personal and business

Sponsored by UAB Collat School of Business

Featuring the This is Alabama creators and the AL.com social media team.

Building a personal brand vs. business brand

Finding your niche – what makes you unique?
Pick carefully — different platforms serve different audiences

Building a brand from scratch: How This is Alabama became an overnight success

What corporate brands can learn from personal brands
The importance of narrowing your focus

Using video to drive social engagement

How video can draw large audiences
Good videos don’t mean lots of views

Speakers:
Elizabeth Hoekenga-Whitmire, Director of Social Media, Alabama Media Group
Jared Boyd, Life & Culture Reporter, Alabama Media Group
Justin Yurkanin, Director of Video, Alabama Media Group
Adam Schwartz, Managing Video Producer, Alabama Media Group

Legal Rebels For a Cause

Hosted by Birmingham Bar Foundation

They have their law degrees, but they don’t practice law in a traditional way. Instead they use their legal knowledge to make a real impact in causes that you care about. Learn how to be truly innovative with your degree and work experience from these seasoned professionals.

CLE credit for participation.

Speakers:
Kristina Scott, Alabama Possible
Kim West, Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC
Steve Rygiel, Aiding Alabama Legal Program at Birmingham AIDS Outreach
Lisa Borden, Pro Bono Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.

Moderator: Susan Silvernail, Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C

4:00-6:00

YP Awards & Social
presented by Diamonds Direct

It’s a party! Join Birmingham magazine and YP Birmingham for a celebration of Alabama’s leaders. Enjoy good eats, great music, a showcase of top YP groups and brief awards program co-hosted by Young Professionals of Birmingham.

Taste of Birmingham

Sample menu items from some of the best local restaurants in town.