Young Professionals:  Searching for Camaraderie

Two weeks at FFaNY Two Ten hosted a kick-off meeting for a new group we are forming – Young Professionals for 210.  The idea for the group came about after Alison Muskat, Creative Director of Deer Stags and myself teamed-up to throw a successful fundraiser at last June’s FFANY focused at engaging a younger audience with Two Ten.  Alison approached me a week or so after the reception with an idea to re-launch the defunct Two Ten Ambassador’s Program.  After reengaging some former Ambassador’s to find out what worked and what didn’t and consulting with a number of Two Ten Board members, Alison and I put a plan together for launching the program at August FFANY.

The meeting took place at the Deer Stags showroom and we had a great turn-out with over twenty-five young professionals from the footwear industry coming together to discuss how the group will operate, communicate and what the mission should be.  Alison and I had a good idea of where we wanted the group to go and what issues we would deal with – but the overwhelming theme that came out of the meeting was that young people in the industry are looking of camaraderie and security.  With national trade shows no longer the obvious host for industry networking, the feeling among many in the group is that we are missing that central meeting place where competitors come together.

The topic was a relevant one for Two Ten to be facilitating.  For so many years, Two Ten Footwear Foundation has been providing exactly what these young professionals are missing – a place for competitors to come together in a relaxed environment, where they can share ideas, discuss relevant issues and feel the security and camaraderie that so many of us are seeking in this highly volatile time.  This year, Two Ten is celebrating it’s 70^th Anniversary and, while anniversaries are a time of reflection, we are excited to look ahead with the support and guidance of so many young professionals in the industry.

If you are interested in joining the YP for 210 group, please contact me at revans@twoten.org.

Ross will be contributing regularupdates right here on shoebizness.com, so please stay tuned and get involved!! -Julia

A little history on Ross…

Ross Evans has spent his entire career in the footwear industry – first in retail with Reebok/Rockport and then with New Balance holding a number of roles in retail, marketing and sales.  Currently, Ross is VP of Marketing & Community Initiatives for Two Ten Footwear Foundation where he has oversight of the foundations marketing, PR, special events and community building.  Ross is a contributor to Shoebizness.com and can be reached at  781-736-1502  or by email at revans@twoten.org.