Implementing young ideas: marketing associates feels the value of fusion.
After attending the young professional's track of the Mackinac Policy Conference this year, Jenn Sanborn of Marketing Associates was compelled to join Fusion Detroit, the Chamber's young professional's organization, in order to be an advocate for the city of Detroit.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
"I was completely blown away by the passion the other people at the conference had for Detroit," Sanborn said of the conference, "It was eye opening for so many things I was blind to." A big conflict with the city of Detroit is the fact many people who work here, don't live here. From 9 to 5, Detroit is the place to be, but after 5 p.m. the commuters head back into suburbia. Sanborn and the other participants in the conference have become active in fixing this problem by motivating other young professionals to stay in the D after hours.
How her company benefited
While Sanborn is able to grow professionally as a result of participation in Fusion--she noted that the conference provided her an opportunity to build an extensive social and business network--her company is also able to benefit. The Fusion track at the Mackinac Policy Conference partially focused on regional cooperation and talent retention. "Along with Marketing Associates' Executive Team," Sanborn noted, "we are working to foster an environment at Marketing Associates that is attractive to young professionals. With the aid of After, Inside Detroit and the Parade Company. Marketing Associates is advocating to connect our young professionals to events and opportunities to reach out in the community. We hope to continue to drive membership into Fusion and continue to establish Marketing Associates' place in the downtown community and among young professionals."
Marketing Associates' CEO Mark Petroff said, "One of Marketing Associates' goals in moving to Detroit centered on our engagement with the community through both business and social activities. Jenn's involvement with Fusion is a perfect example of how we are achieving this objective." He continued, "Her participation at the Mackinac Policy Conference and active engagement with other young professionals since has given her better insight into the complex issues facing our region and, ultimately, Marketing Associates."
Attracting and retaining young professionals
Another challenge Detroit and the companies located here face is acquiring young professionals before they head off to other cities, like Chicago. After a recent trip to Chicago, Sanborn said there is nothing there Detroit doesn't have. The multicultural background and history of Detroit make this city just as, if not, more special to the people who live and work here.
In order to facilitate the change needed in Detroit, Sanborn has taken the initiative gained at the conference to encourage other young professionals at Marketing Associates and other companies to stay in Detroit after hours, attending sporting events and eating in the restaurants here, supporting the economy of the entire region, instead of their local community.
So far, the interest is high. However, it is a challenge to have people stay in the city when they have been here working all day. This is a challenge Sanborn is ready to overcome with the help of other inspired young professionals who want to see a change in Detroit.
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Sanborn, who was nominated by Petroff to attend the conference, plans to be active in planning next year's conference by joining the 2009 planning committee.
Amanda Crabtree is a freelance writer from Wixom, Michigan.
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| Title Annotation: | INFUSED |
|---|---|
| Author: | Crabtree, Amanda |
| Publication: | Detroiter |
| Date: | Nov 1, 2008 |
| Words: | 562 |
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