Inside 43215: Downtown Lifestyles
Y-B-YP
It’s impossible to avoid the YPs these days. Senior citizens, adolescents: they can’t compete. The YPs (that’s Young Professionals) are organized, coordinated, and they have plans for us, yes they do.
Sounds scary? You bet it does. But never fear, they like downtown and they like old people too. In fact, lots of us are YPs, and don’t even know it.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce defines YPs loosely as a “self-selected” group who feel like young professionals. Based on its research, the Chamber says that they typical member is between the ages of 21 and 45.
Robbie Banks’ job at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce is to manage the young professionals group, and she’s got great aspirations for downtown’s YPs:
“I would like to see YPs exercise their Midwestern values by inviting their new-to-Columbus colleagues to lunch or coffee at one of their favorite local spots. Shop and dine at the local businesses downtown, including the Pearl Market. Take advantage of the activities such as the downtown kickball, bowling and corn hole leagues and the Downtown Live summer concert series. Support the arts. Visit the parks. Bike, walk or ride COTA to and from work, or at a minimum, do not hop in your car to get places that you can easily bike, walk or ride COTA.”
Whew!… and that’s just part of Banks’ list. She also encourages YPs to sign up to receive her newsletter, which highlights events happening around town that appeal to the YP crowd.
Not a YP? Old Pro’s are on her radar too. Banks prefers the term “seasoned professionals.” She sees them as mentors for YPs – and lists Mayor Coleman and Cleve Ricksecker as some of her favorite “seasoned professionals.”
Seasoned Cleve? We knew he was saucy; turns out he’s spicy too.
Got a better pun? Your turn, post it here…
Tags: COTA, Downtown Columbus, Pearl Market, Public Transportation
May 21st, 2009 at 8:01 am
Check out this blog posting recently from the Columbus Chamber blog: http://blog.columbus.org/chamber/2009/05/what-yps-want-to-see-in-their-city.html. It’s all about being a YP in Columbus.