Young Professionals Bloomington (YPB)

The Young Professionals Bloomington (YPB) program has grown into a vibrant platform for the next generation of leaders, catering to a community of 21-40 year-olds (or those young at heart). This program has proven instrumental in fostering peer networking, honing leadership abilities, and enhancing professional skills. YPB is a program of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Mission

To create a network of young professionals in the greater Bloomington area that fosters personal and professional development through relationship building, skill enhancement, community enrichment, and career advancement opportunities.

Vision

To make Bloomington, Indiana an attractive place for young professionals to engage in professional, personal, and civic development.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce began the planning process for a young professionals program in 2010 and launched their first event in January of 2011. The original vision of the program - hYPe, or helping Young Professionals excel - was to help make Bloomington an attractive place for young professionals to live, work and play while enhancing the quality of life in our community for all. Retaining talent in our community is also another important factor to The Chamber and to our business community.

In January 2019 hYPe was rebranded into YPB - Young Professionals Bloomington.  The new program expanded on the offerings for young professionals in the community, with new programs and events. 

One of the goals of the young professionals program is to retain talent in Bloomington – we want you to love where you live, work and play!

If you are interested in supporting YPB, please contact Eric Spoonmore, Chamber President & CEO.
YPB Sponsorship Opportunities

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​Peak inside our past events...

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Events

Steering Committee

Contact

News

 

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Upcoming YPB Events

(Click the image to register or for more information)

YPB's Ask an Executive: A Young Professional Forum - 11:00am-1:00pm - The Mill's Event Hall - Thursday, January 29th

Join Young Professionals Bloomington on Thursday, January 29th, at The Mill's Event Hall, for an engaging, candid conversation with local leaders who’ve been where you are—and have learned a lot along the way. Ask an Executive brings together a panel of experienced managers and executives to share real-world insights on leadership, career growth, and what it truly takes to succeed in today’s workplace.
Moderated by Sandra McGow of Bell Trace Senior Living Community, this interactive forum will explore topics like managing people and projects effectively, navigating early-career challenges, building credibility, and what leaders look for in young professionals they hire and promote. Panelists will be announced soon, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical takeaways you can apply right away. Confirmed panelists include:

• Leslie Abshier - CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington
• Esthela O'Neill - Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Student Success at Ivy Tech Community College: Bloomington
• Blayne Roeder - Senior Director of Corporate Development at Cook Medical
• Denzil Ross - South Region President of IU Health
• Tom Rowe - Former CEO of Serva-lite

Hosted at The Mill, this event is perfect for emerging professionals looking to learn from those at the top, expand their perspective, and grow their leadership toolkit.
Networking begins at 11:00am, lunch buffet opens at 11:15am, and the program starts promptly at 11: 45am. Registration is available for both Chamber members and community members.

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Past Events

2026 Events

Ask an Executive: A Young Professional Forum - 11:00am-1:00pm - Thursday, January 29th
Stay Tuned for more quarterly events to come!

2025 Events

​"2025 Resolution: WIN TRIVIA!" - 5:30-7:00pm - Thursday, January 23rd
"Act 1 - Dinner, Act 2 - Theater" - 5:30pm - Thursday, April 10th
"Service & Scoops" - 5:30-7:30pm - Thursday, July 31st
Speed Networking & Social - 5:30-8:00pm - Thursday, October 9th

2024 Events

Holiday Social - 5:30-7:30 - Thursday, December 18th
Recharge, Reconnect, Replenish - 5:00-7:00 - Wednesday, October 2nd
September Social - 5:30pm-6:30pm - Tuesday, September 10th​ 
Investing 101 - 5:30pm-7:00pm - Wednesday, August 28th
Let's Talk Real Estate for the Young Professional - 5:30pm-7:00pm - Thursday, July 25th
WonderLab AfterHours Granfalloon: Jailbird -  7:00pm-10:00pm - Saturday, June 1st
Showcase Bloomington:  5:00pm-8:00pm - Thursday, May 30th
Boss & Build: Young Professionals Team Building Luncheon
Book It! Audition Technique for the Business World - 5:30-7:00pm - Thursday, March 14th - 11:00am-1:00pm - Thursday, April 25th
YPB: Ice cream & Icebreakers - 5:30-7:00pm - Thursday, February 15th 
​Bowling for Success: Young Professionals Continuing Education Mixer - 5:30-7:00pm - Tuesday, January 30th 

2023 Events

​​YPB Holiday Party at Axecailbur - 6:00- 8:00pm - Wednesday December 6th 
A Gallery of the Arts - John Waldron Arts Center  - 6:00-7:30pm - Wednesday, October 11th
​YPB Social: Food Truck Friday - Switchyard Park - 6:30-8:00pm - Friday, September 15th
​Build Your Professional Brand - The Mill - 12:15-1:00pm - Tuesday, August 22nd
​YPB Social - Griffy Lake - 6:00-8:00pm - Thursday, July 27th
Find Your Niche - Crazy Horse Tavern on Kirkwood: Back Room - 5:00-7:00pm - Thursday, June 22nd
YPB Social - IU Cinema - 6:30-9:00pm - Wednesday, June 7th
YPB Social - Thirsty Thursday - 5:00-8:00pm - Thursday, May 25th
YPB Fitness February with OrangeTheory Fitness - OrangeTheory Fitness Kirkwood - 5:30-6:30pm - Wednesday, February 22nd
2023 & Me - Monroe County Public Library - 5:30-7:30pm - Wednesday, February 1st

2022 events

​Learn CPR For Humans & Pets - American Red Cross - 6:00pm - Wednesday, November 30th
YPB Presents Opera Night - The Musical Arts Center - 6:30pm - Saturday, October 22nd
Social @ The Cade - The Cade - 6:30-8:30pm - Friday, August 26th
Ten Under 40 - Woolery Mill - 5:30-7:30pm - Friday, July 22nd
Conversations & Cocktails - Cardinal Spirits - 5:30-7:30pm - Thursday, June 2nd
Buddies & Brew - Lennie's - 5:30-7:30pm - Friday, April 29th
Sip & Read Happy Hour - Morgenstern's Bookstore - 5:30-8:00pm - Tuesday, March 29th
​​Be Red Cross Ready - Virtual - 12:00-1:00pm - Thursday, February 17th
​Lunchtime Meditation - Virtual - 12:00-1:00pm - Thursday, January 27th

2021 Events

​Holiday Social - FARMbloomington - 5:00-8:00pm - Wednesday, December 15th
#YPBGivesBack "Giving & Serving in the City of Bloomington" Lunch & Learn - Virtual - 12:00pm - Wednesday, November 17th
Benefits Overview with Megan Miller from Hoosier Energy Lunch & Learn - Virtual - 12:00pm - Wednesday, October 27, 2021
​10 Under 40 - Switchyard Park Pavilion - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm - July 28, 2021
Walk with Us Social - Olcott Park - 6:00pm - June 24, 2021
Transforming Stress Through the Workplace - 9:30 am - May 20, 2021
YPB Lunch & Learn: LGBTQI+ Inclusive Workplaces: Allyship, Advocacy, Inclusion - 12:00 pm - April 2021
Ask an Expert - 5:30 pm - March 2021
Financial Wellness Lunch & Learn - 12:00 pm - February 25, 2021
MLK Day Celebration (hosted by the City of Bloomington) - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm - January 18, 2021

 

YPB Steering Committee

Young Professionals Bloomington (YPB)
​2025 Steering Committee Members

Samantha Bettinger, Simtra BioPharma Solutions
Alec Blake, Girls Inc.
Catherine Blankensop, IU Environmental Resilience Institute
Lindsey Boswell, IU School of Optometry
Nashon Cameron, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
​Briana Flud, Ivy Tech Community College of Bloomington
Emily Herman, Community Foundation Bloomington & Monroe County
​Drew Herron, Curry Auto Center

Brad Hugunin, IU Credit Union
Eldon McCabe, Hurlow Wealth Management
Patty Moon, IU Dept. of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Henry Rowe, Hurlow Wealth Management
Colin Prince, IU School of Education
Haoxi Wang, DSI Services
​Kamren Werczynski, Indiana Members Credit Union

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Interested in joining our Steering Committee?

The YPB steering committee is made up of a diverse group of young professionals who help organize our quarterly events, act as ambassadors for YPB and give their input for the long term vision of YPB. Our volunteers are a great example of all of the work young professionals put into our community!
Are you interested in joining the YPB Steering Committee?  

Apply for YPB Steering Committee

 

Interested in learning more?

Contact YPB's
​Chamber Liasion!

Hannah Hutton

Program Coordinator
​Young Professionals Bloomington Staff Liaison
​[email protected]

 

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Thank you to our 2026 YPB Sponsors