Dear Austin Young Chamber Members, Sponsors, Partners, and Community Members:

My name is Billy Moyer and it is my honor to serve as the 2018 Chair of the Austin Young Chamber Board of Directors. I am following in the footsteps of some pretty great leaders, like our immediate past Chair Adam Flagg, who led us through an Executive Director transition. And Emmy Hill, who went above and beyond the call of duty by serving as Chair for 18 months.

We are entering our ninth year of existence as an organization and I know that this will be our best year ever.

I joined the Austin Young Chamber in 2009 when I was just 23-years-old. I did not know what to expect when I attended my first event. Luckily, I met Nathan Green at that event, who is one of the founders of the chamber. Nathan got me more involved as I helped him develop Apprentice Austin, a mentoring program for juniors and seniors in college. At that point, I was hooked on the Austin Young Chamber.

Looking back now, I would not be exaggerating in saying that being a member of the Austin Young Chamber played a significant role in the growth of my business and in my own personal growth. I would not be as successful had I not become a member. And here I am now, almost nine full years later, as Chair. It really is hard for me to believe.

Why will 2018 be our best year ever? Here are eight reasons:

• We continue to mature as an organization. Our mission is clear. We develop and connect young professionals in Austin to create business, community and individual success.
• Nothing we will do in 2018 will be more on mission than the LEAD Summit on February 16, 2018. The summit is a daylong workforce development summit that will be equal parts learning and action so that here in Austin we can continue to develop the most talented workforce in the country. I highly encourage you to attend this event. It will be the best investment you will make all year. Get your tickets today.
• Our Economic Development committee is different from most chambers. Its prime focus is to educate our members and young professionals on key issues facing the community. We believe having an informed and engaged citizen leads them to vote and act in ways that build Austin’s economy. If you have not joined a committee yet, I highly recommend this one.
• Our largest committee is Leadership Service. This is where our members go out into the community and do the work necessary to improve it. We love telling people that this is our largest committee because it shows the heart for service that our members and the Millennial generation has. As young professional leaders, we are called to serve. The Austin Young Chamber and its members continually answer that call.
• The Imagine committee connects members with the Austin arts and culture scene. This is an important part of our organization as the arts are really what put Austin on the map. We must appreciate and support them. Be sure to check out this committee this year.
• We have a tremendous staff. Our new Executive Director, Alyssia Woods has been with us for three months and we continue to be impressed with her leadership. Katherine Wheeler is the veteran member of the staff being with us for more than three years. Her passion for the organization is second to none and she always delivers as our Development Director (and much more). We are also excited to welcome Mel Martin to our team as the Event and Marketing Coordinator.
• We have great leadership at the Committee and Board level. These leaders support our staff and help us continue to grow and flourish as an organization. Check out our 2018 Board Members here.
• Lastly, I know 2018 will be our best year ever because I believe in all of you, the members of the Austin Young Chamber. We exist to serve you. To prepare you for future leadership roles and to connect you to those roles along with other important opportunities. With your continued support, this really will be our best year ever and you as members will benefit most from that.

Those are just some of the reasons this will be a great year for the Austin Young Chamber. Be on the lookout for more messages like this one from me every other month. I hope to meet all of you in person. If there is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to email me at Board@AustinYoungChamber.org. I am not just the Chair of the Board. I am your Chair. I am here to ensure that your experience with the Austin Young Chamber is spectacular.

The Austin Young Chamber is a great example of the unique Austin culture and workforce. We are a chamber for young professionals. We are run independent from any other chamber. We are a membership organization that represents a generation (mostly Millennials) that is now the largest living generation. By 2025, Millennials will account for 75 percent of the workforce. We are the voice for this generation in Austin. We must continue to use our voice to make a positive impact in this community.

I hope you will continue to engage with us in 2018 so that you can be a part of our best year ever. Thank you for your support.

Best,

Billy Moyer
2018 Chair, Board of Directors
Austin Young Chamber
Board@AustinYoungChamber.org