The Link
Winter 2016
Nominate your workplace for a Bubbler Award

Do you enjoy going to work every day because of the amazing atmosphere? If so, we want you to submit your workplace for the 2016 Bubbler Awards. 

These awards recognize the Wisconsin companies that make it a priority to retain and engage their young talent through a dynamic workplace. The following criteria will be taken into consideration by a juried panel that will evaluate: competitive salary and benefits, opportunity for advancement, work-life balance and employee engagement. 

The Bubbler Awards ceremony will take place in Appleton on Sat., April 23 to launch YPWeek, hosted April 23-30, 2016. YPWeek is a weeklong platform of events focusing on discovery, adventure and meaningful conversations about the issues that matter to young professionals in the area. 

NOMINATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2016.

YLink ramps up for YP Week
Rest up now because come April 23, communities around Wisconsin - including Kenosha - are kicking off YP Week (April 23-30) in an effort to highlight all this great state has to offer to Millennials.

YPWeek is a week-long platform for discovery, adventure and meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most among young professionals in Wisconsin. In Kenosha, YLink is hosting several unique opportunities for you to engage with the community and other YPs. 

Save the dates for Kenosha's YP Week line up of events:
  • April 23 - Volunteer at Dairy State Beer & Cheese Fest benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha
  • April 26 - Team Trivia Night at Public Craft Brewing Co.
  • April 27 - Behind the Scenes: Kenosha Creative Space in downtown Kenosha
  • April 28 - Style & Branding: Creating Professional Image through Fashion at Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets
More details and events to come in the next month. Stay connected to our social media channels and website for additional info and check out ypweek.com for what's happening around the state!

NOTE: This is a phenomenal opportunity for business sponsorship. If you have interest, please call 262-605-1100.

Now's your chance. Get involved. Be inspired. 

#YPWeek | #YPWeekKenosha | ypweek.com

To the brave souls to jumped (and raised close to $800) to benefit the Special Olympics of Southeast WI at the Polar Plunge on February 5. Pictured L to R: Katie Bovee, Madeline Carerra, Luke Houberg, Lucas Hoffenkamp.

To all our snow tubers who checked out Wilmot Mountain.



Name: Megan Bernardy-Wells
Occupation:  Degree Up & Community Relations Coordinator, Herzing University
How long have you lived and/or worked in Kenosha County?  I grew up in Kenosha and graduated from Bradford High School (Go Red Devils!) in 2001.  A basketball scholarship took me to Springfield, Missouri for college, where I stayed until 2011.  

What makes Kenosha County a great place to work and play?  For work, I would definitely say collaboration!  I love how eager organizations are to work together for the benefit of everyone in the community.

What about Kenosha are you really proud of?  A couple things actually!  As I mentioned before, I moved to Missouri for a few years, and one thing that drew me back was the Lakefront.  I think many can agree how beautiful and calming the downtown area is. 
What is your favorite Kenosha County event/activity?  As a sports fan, lately, I would say I really look forward to Kingfish games in the summer months.  It's nice to have something local that is family friendly, reasonably priced, and generally a great time.

My Only Competition Is the Person I Was Yesterday
With Lucas Hoffenkamp 
Millennials often times face the struggle of defining who they are, which in turn limits them from moving forward in the direction they desire.  What this means, is that you might sit and ponder questions like "what am I supposed to do in life?", or "what is my dream job?"
Although, when it comes down to it, the Millennials have an oversaturated wealth of knowledge due to the ease of obtaining information, but that can cause many biases in the thought process.
Step back; take a look at where you were the day before.  Ask yourself, have you moved forward from that point?  Are you happy with where you are? If not, WHY?  Sometimes the path of figuring out who you are and what you are meant to do in life is not that complicated when you choose to simplify it.
Give up these 10 things:
Lucas Hoffenkamp is a member of the YLink Professional Development Committee. He is also a Financial Analyst with Jockey International, Inc. You can connect with Lucas on LinkedIn or by emailing him at [email protected] 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendar
Unleash & Inspire Creativity in the Workplace
Wednesday, March 9 
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
KABA Training Center
5500 6th Ave, Suite 200, Kenosha 
Creative thinking is probably one of the most in-demand skill sets of the 21st Century - no matter what your role in the organization. Yet, up to 75% of people think they are not living up to their creative potential, according to a global-benchmark study by Adobe. 

Make no mistake, whether you're an accountant, web designer, or sales support - understanding how to tap into your creative potential can equate to breakthroughs that benefit satisfaction on the job - and your businesses bottom line.

Presented by Jennifer Dooley, principal of Kenosha-based Dooley & Associates. 
Art Crawl
Thursday, March 31
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Bus departs from Fusion
5014 7th Ave., Kenosha
 

Get an exclusive look at the local artist scene in Kenosha as we tour four local galleries. We'll enjoy live music, great art and conversation and libations. 

Bus transportation, gallery admissions and light fare included. 

Save the date. Registration details coming soon.

Questions? Contact [email protected]


Downtown Restaurant Week
February 20-28
 

Enjoy nine days of culinary adventure as you explore an array of restaurants offering delicious multi-course meals at tasty savings!Downtown Kenosha restaurants will offer special, fixed price menus for Breakfast ($10), Lunch ($10) and Dinner ($20 & $30) during Restaurant Week. No tickets, passes or coupons are required.

 


As Kenosha County's premier young professional organization, YLink exists to connect young professionals to each other and to our great community by offering highly unique experiences - curated specifically to the needs and wants of YPs.
Whether it be socializing on a sunset sail on Lake Michigan, volunteering at a community food drive, or examining the leadership journey of local leaders - we are changing the way people connect, embrace and engage with Kenosha. 
You can get involved by:
  • Signing up for our communications, including a quarterly eNewsletter and direct mail invites to events
  • Following us on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
  • Join us at one of our events - no membership required.
  • Share your thoughts. We want to hear what's relevant to you, so we can make good ideas come to life 
  • Connect with our volunteer leadership team and board of directors via our website to learn more
ylinkenosha.com

5500 6th Avenue, #200 | Kenosha, WI 53140 | 262-605-1100