Dalton State College

Discussion

September 21, 2011

Rebecca Ryan to share strategies for attracting, retaining young professionals

Dalton Daily Citizen

According to author Rebecca Ryan, young professionals of yesteryear would go where the jobs were and set down roots. Today’s young professional, she says, is more likely to choose a city or community that feels right to them first and then seek out employment opportunities.

This reverse strategy is the subject of her book, Live First, Work Second, in which she relates the results of her research with more than 40,000 20-40 year olds on why they live and work as they do.

Ryan will bring her timely message to the NorthWest Georgia Trade and Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 13, when a collaborative of 16 community sponsors presents “Creating a Greater Dalton: Rebecca Ryan Shares Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Young Professionals.” The program will include a lunchtime keynote address by Ryan followed by a roundtable discussion between Ryan and area young professionals and college students on Greater Dalton as a place to live, work, play, and learn.

Thoughts and ideas shared in the roundtable dialogue will be analyzed and condensed into a White Paper report to be used to inform future decision-making as area employers and community leaders develop strategies for attracting and keeping young professionals in our community.

The issue is as timely to Greater Dalton as the current issue of Georgia Trend magazine in which Mayor David Pennington ponders how best to attract creative young adults to Dalton when they’re accustomed to a certain quality of place that does not currently exist here.

“We know we have to upgrade a lot of our quality-of-life infrastructure,” says the Mayor. “At one time … everybody who worked in Dalton wanted to live in Dalton regardless of income status. In the last 15 years, that has changed.”

According to Ryan, the cities and communities that are most successful in attracting and retaining creative, educated, young adults rank high in seven key areas: Vitality, Earning, Learning, Social Capital, Cost of Living, After Hours, and Around Town.

“Keeping and drawing young professionals to our county and city is vital for the future economic and social wellbeing of our community,” says County Commission Chair Mike Babb. “If we wish to keep and draw a certain segment of society, we must understand what is important to them. I believe Rebecca Ryan can give us some guidance on the wants and needs of today’s young professionals.”

“We are fortunate to have Rebecca Ryan come to our community,” said Terry Tomasello, Executive Director of the Creative Arts Guild. “Ms. Ryan’s insight into the impact that arts and culture make on a community will further validate our positioning as a world class community that values the arts. We are looking forward to Ms. Ryan’s recommendations for next steps.”

“Cognitive dissonance — that will be the result of Rebecca Ryan’s visit to our community,” predicts Dalton Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Hawkins. “She will influence us to think differently about students, employees, customers, and economic development. The community conversations she ignites can solidify our strategic thinking and courageous actions to design and create a quality place in Greater Dalton. Don’t miss it!”

Community sponsors for the event include City of Dalton, Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, Creative Arts Guild, Dalton Public Schools, Dalton State College, Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority, Emerging Leaders Institute of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton Health Care System, Leadership Dalton-Whitfield Alumni Association, The Daily Citizen, UGA Archway Partnership, United Way Young Leaders Society, Whitfield County, and Whitfield County Schools.

The cost to attend is $15 ($5 for college students); reservations are required and may be made through the Chamber of Commerce website, www.daltonchamber.org, or by calling the Chamber at 706-278-7373. Keynote address is at 12 noon on Thursday, Oct. 13; buffet line opens at 11:30. Ryan will convene her roundtable discussion with young professionals and college students at 1:15 and will adjourn at 3:15.



 

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