CAYP’s February 2012 Event at Wolf’s 1-11

February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Members of Couch White
The crowd at Wolf's 1-11.

CAYP attendees on the top floor of Wolf's 1-11 on Pearl Street

Not only does CAYP bring together the Capital Region’s bright and talented young professionals, but we also make sure we bring them to the area’s newest and trendiest establishments. This month, CAYP gathered at Wolf’s 1-11 on Pearl Street, next to the Times Union Center. With comfy leather couches, plenty of appetizers and a lofty view of the whole bar, the venue was a perfect spot to get to know some new faces.

February’s event was graciously sponsored by Couch White, LLP, a full-service business law firm.  Wolf’s 1-11 also contributed two $25 gift certificates for the lucky winners our monthly business card drawing.

If you need a testament as to how valuable CAYP’s networking events can be, ask Lauryn Kowalski.  As Lauryn checked in, she proudly exclaimed that her first CAYP event helped land her new job.  A couple months ago, Lauryn made the important connection that led to her new position  at Potratz Automotive Advertising Agency.

Jonathan Root, marketing director at Smith and Jones, had a positive first experience this month. He was impressed with how easy it was to start a conversation with people, “everyone was friendly, and it was nice to be around a group that was similar to me in age and career level.”

In order to give you even more chances to make some new contacts, CAYP is having another networking event this month exclusively for our members. Come join us at Athos restaurant on Wednesday, February 22nd at 5:30 – 7:00pm. Email theresa.petrone@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming.

Members of Couch White

Special thanks to February's sponsor, Couch White, LLP

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CAYP’s January 2012 Event at Prime Bar & Grill

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Prime Bar + Grill
January networking event
CAYP gathers at Prime Bar + Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park

To kick off the new year, CAYP ventured up the Northway to make its mark on new territory. On January 11th, over 125 Capital Region young professionals gathered at Angelo’s Prime Bar + Grill in Clifton Park, the newest addition to the popular Prime brand. Mazzone Hospitality graciously catered the event with a vast assortment of items from their innovative and modern menu.

As if a crowd of ambitious business professionals and fine cuisine weren’t enough, the business card raffle provided even more perks at the event. One winner received a $50 gift certificate to enjoy the full experience of Prime Bar + Grill. The evening’s sponsor, E-Biz Docs, a provider of electronic document management services, also provided winners with official red Swingline staplers. Want your own? Join E-Biz Docs on February 27th at The Palace for more networking and a showing of Office Space. Finally, more winners of the drawing received tickets to The Warmth of Wine.

Couldn’t make it to January’s event? Check out the video below to see what you missed! Don’t miss us next on February 8 at the all-new Wolf’s 1-11 in downtown Albany.

 

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CAYP’s December 2011 Holiday Event at Pearl Street Pub

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Pearl Street Pub Crowd
Pearl Street PubPearl Street Pub and Dirty Martini Lounge

Take downtown Albany’s most popular spot, the Capital Region’s finest young professionals, plus Albany Alive’s signature red carpet, and you have an event that surely trumped your office holiday party. CAYP’s Holiday Celebration was held at The Pearl Street Pub and Dirty Martini Lounge and brought in a crowd of over 125 attendees.

In the spirit of giving, CAYP’s special holiday promotion offered free entrance into the event (a $25 value) for anyone who purchased an annual membership or renewed their current one. This resulted in CAYP celebrating 43 new members! That’s 43 new and financially-savvy members, since this opportunity was a steal.

In between music and tortellini, President Theresa Petrone announced the two winners of our monthly business card drawing, who got to go home with 2 tickets to the Last Night Gala to benefit St. Peter’s Hospital. She then went on to share that longtime member of CAYP Board of Directors, Danielle Valenti, will be stepping down to concentrate on her new position at Albany based readMedia.

Pearl Street Pub Crowd

The CAYP crowd fills the back room at Pearl Street Pub

So exactly how great of a night was it? Take it from Jessica Braun, Controller at Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium, who claimed that “The event was fantastic! CAYP event attendees are down-to-earth business people out to meet new friends in a relaxing, no-pressure atmosphere.”

If you missed our holiday event, our next one will be your chance to start the New Year off with new business relationships. Celebrate 2012 with CAYP at Angelo’s Prime Bar and Grill in Clifton on January 11th at Prime in Clifton Park.

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CAYP’s November 2011 Event at Treviso

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
CAYP attendees at Treviso by Mallozi's

 

CAYP attendees at Treviso by Mallozi's

CAYP attendees at Treviso by Mallozi's

If you thought Thanksgiving turkey with your family was going to be the highlight of November, you were wrong. Try Italian fare with the CAYP family instead. Over 90 young professionals attended this event at Treviso by Mallozzi’s inside the Italian American Community Center.

Treviso presented the crowd with a sampling of their finest appetizers – roasted mushroom satay in spicy marinara, fried calamari and clams casino, just to name a few. As if that weren’t enough, Treviso also donated two $50 gift certificates paired with a bottle of wine, which went to the lucky winners of our business card drawing.

CAYP attendees

CAYP members feeling like family

When you’re here, you’re family. Okay, wrong Italian restaurant. But if CAYP had to adopt a restaurant’s slogan that would likely be it. We want all members and non-members, new faces and familiar ones, to feel welcome at our events. After speaking with Dan Murphy, Vice President of Redsauce.com, we’re pretty confident we achieved that. He described his first CAYP experience:

“The event at Treviso was the first networking event I’ve attended in the capital region, having only moved here a week ago. The event was awesome! Everyone was very welcoming and I was given a lot of advice on different ways to grow my business in the Capital District. I can’t wait for the [Christmas party]!”

Neither can we, Dan. We’ll see you at The Pearl Street Pub on December 9th!

 

Filed Under: Past Events

CAYP’s October 2011 Event at Bombers

October 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Crowd at Bombers
bombers schenectady

Bombers in downtown Schenectady

Beach balls, palm trees, and (cardboard) hula dancers. No, CAYP didn’t take over the Caribbean (yet), but we did gather at Bombers Burrito Bar in downtown Schenectady. CAYP held its October 2011 networking event in the restaurant’s third floor beach-themed La Playa room. Capital Region professionals enjoyed the location’s comfortable atmosphere along with Bombers’ popular menu items, such as mini tacos and lemon-pepper garlic wings.

It had been three years since CAYP made its way to downtown Schenectady, and the revisit was a success. Schenectady professionals were excited to have CAYP in the area. Cathie Wright, account manager at Potratz Automotive Ad Agency in Schenectady, stated “There are a lot of initiatives to attract people and business to the area, and downtown Schenectady has changed a lot in the past few years. With Proctors, the GE Theater and Bowtie Cinema, along with some great restaurants, downtown Schenectady is a great place for networking events.”

October’s event was sponsored by new online classifieds website Movethatblock.com. The company spread the word about its free service and had a table full of complimentary t-shirts. Owner Carey Trappenburg was pleased with the location, claiming “ [Bomber’s] in Schenectady allowed for an intimate and inviting atmosphere. It was great exposure for us as sponsors and very nice to spend the evening with so many young professionals with ranging professions.”

CAYP Members

CAYP smiles for the Albany Alive camera

The evening held several chances for CAYP attendees to continue the fun. One winner of the business card drawing received a $25 gift certificate to Bombers, another winner received tickets to HippieFest at The Palace Theater and a third winner went home with three tickets to Exposed, a CAYP-sponsored event introducing Albany Barn’s endeavor to transform St. Joseph’s Academy into a unique art space.

Business contacts and burritos …what more could you have asked for?

 

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CAYP’s September 2011 Event at The Point

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

The Point

The Point Restaurant and Lounge

For CAYP’s September 2011 networking social, the Capital Region’s young professional crowd gathered at The Point Restaurant and Lounge in Albany. The restaurant’s ambient atmosphere housed a crowd of 125 attendees.

The evening was sponsored by Hartmann Financial Group, LLC in Delmar, NY.Carl Hasselbrath, the firm’s Financial Analyst, was enthusiastic about the opportunity to sponsor a CAYP event. He felt it was an automatic return oninvestment, claiming that it “has already paid for itself with the new leadsit generated for us.” He went on to add, “CAYP is full of energetic, enterprising professionals, so a sponsorship will provide anyone a considerate audience withenough influence to help them take their business to the next level.” The American Heart Association was also represented at the event with a table promoting awareness of cardiovascular health and their 2011 Capital Region Heart Walk.

crowd

CAYP's crowd fills the dining area at The Point

Unlike most other networking events, CAYP can guarantee you always meet new faces. September’s event attracted several newcomers,who relayed positive first experiences. Judi Henrikson, Director of Public Relations at Gramercy Communications, shared “This was my first CAYP event and it couldn’t have gone better. The Point provided a great networking atmosphere and I met many new faces. It was a fun night and I will definitely be attending another event soon.”

Ryan Busch of The New York State Small Business Development Center, another first-timer, shared that “Upon arrival, the CAYP [board] members were very friendly and informative. The crowd was very diverse and included professionals from almost every industry one would be interested in networking with.”

With a diverse industry representation and a mix of new faces with regulars, September was another networking success for CAYP.

 

CAYP Young Professionals

CAYP attendees enjoying the atmosphere at September's networking event.

 

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CAYP’s August 2011 Event at Shaker Ridge Country Club

August 12, 2011 By 1 Comment
professionals at shaker ridge
professionals at shaker ridge

CAYP'S young professionals at Shaker Ridge

On August 3, 2011 CAYP joined forces with the Colonie, Bethlehem and Guilderland Chambers of Commerce in a mega networking event at the Shaker Ridge Country Club in Loudonville. Members
of CAYP and the three chambers united  while overlooking spectacular views of green pasture and enjoying an assortment of abundant appetizers provided by 2 SheaCatering. The crowd totaled almost 120 attendees – proof of each organization’s eagerness to cross-network.

catered food by 2Shea
Appetizers provided by 2Shea Catering

 

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce was represented by Kathy Burbank, President and Erika Gauthier, Program and
Membership Manager. Gauthier claims the evening is “one of the [Guilderland Chamber’s] most well-attended events we put on during the year because of the
different mix.”

 Jennifer Kilcoyne, President of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce truly valued the unique networking opportunity. “[It was] a wonderful opportunity for Bethlehem Chamber members to connect with a broader audience of Capital District business leaders. Our members enjoyed the evening and made valuable contacts for their businesses.”

Tom Nolte of Colonie Chamber

Tome Nolte of Colonie Chamber addresses a crowd of CAYP and chamber members

Tom Nolte, President of the Colonie Chamber of Commerce was excited to participate in this event for the 3rd year because of the “professionalism, energy and enthusiasm that CAYP members bring.”  And that sure sounds like what
CAYP members are all about.

CAYP and the three chambers look forward to
getting together again for another collaborative networking event.

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CAYP’s July 2011 4th Anniversary Event at Taste Restaurant

August 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Taste Rooftop
Taste Rooftop

CAYP attendees mingling on the rooftop terrace at Taste

On July 22, 2011 CAYP celebrated its fourth anniversary on the rooftop terrace of Taste restaurant in downtown Albany. The evening amassed 104 guests – an even mix of familiar faces and networking novices. As Albany’s finest professionals entered the event’s penthouse location, they were greeted with a photo opportunity in front of Albany Alive’s signature red carpet. Photographers Dan VanWagenen and Stephen Calhoun kept busy all evening capturing guests against day and night views of Albany’s sparkling skyline. While mingling over eggplant crostini and seafood tacos, CAYP members and guests discovered new connections and caught up with former ones.

 As the sun began to set, CAYP President Theresa Petrone harnessed the crowd’s attention in order to thank sponsors The Business Review and The Food Pantries. Courtney Myers, Marketing & Circulation Director of The Business Review, and Benji Fox, Executive Director of The Food Pantries, took the stage to welcome the organizations’ members and guests.

Patrick Honda is presented with the CAYP Spirit Award

Petrone then presented the annual Friend of CAYP Awards to three members whose support for the organization helped fuel its success over the past year. The first recipient was Patrick Honda, owner of P&C Promotional Printing, who received the Spirit Award for his enthusiasm and dedication to CAYP’s mission. Ed Baker, CEO of Albany Alive, took home the Contribution Award in recognition of his generosity in capturing each event on film for members and guests to view and share. Jessica Collette, branch manager at Capital Bank and newly appointed CAYP Board member, took home the Advocate Award for her ongoing efforts to introduce business professionals to the organization.

The mood turned bittersweet as Petrone announced that Wesley Slyke, branch officer for Legacy Banks, would be stepping down from CAYP’s Board of Directors. Slyke was a founding board member and served as the organization’s treasurer for the four years since its inception. He was presented with the President’s Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to CAYP.

Albany's young professionals pose against the city's skyline.

Adding to the celebration, two guests in attendance were welcomed to the stage after being pulled in the business card drawing. Raffle prizes included box tickets to the Tri-City ValleyCats donated by W.B. Mason and a $50 gift certificate to Taste, the evening’s generous host.

The evening’s presentation came to a close with a look toward the future. Petrone announced that thanks to the support of its members, CAYP was ready to go beyond its original mission of enriching the lives of young professionals to enriching the community. Over the past year, the organization experienced an incredible growth in membership which will allow CAYP to begin giving back to the Capital Region. Starting with a campaign managed through its Facebook page, CAYP will provide up to $1,000 to the Northeast Parent & Child Society and their mission to protect children, preserve families, and strengthen communities. Through the combined efforts of their members, supporters, and volunteer Board of Director, CAYP plans to contribute $12,000 to community organizations in the Capital Region.

 

Attendees with Event Sponsor Benji Fox

CAYP guests smile for the camera alongside event sponsor Benji Fox of The Food Pantries (far right).

 

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Capital Alliance of Young Professionals Inc

September 17, 2009 By
JOIN-US

Enriching the lives of young and young-at-heart professionals living and working in New York’s Capital Region.”

CAYP is solely dedicated to providing its members with quality networking events highlighting the Capital Region’s premier social venues while maintaining a low-stress environment.

Our signature Networking Socials are held once a month and encourage a diverse group of young professionals to network comfortably and at their own pace.

It’s no secret that the more people you know, the more potential you have to grow professionally and socially.

CAYP is open to ALL professionals.  Our target age group is 21-39, but as long as you feel young, you are welcome to join us!CAYP Board 2011

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