Nov 28, 2018 | Staying on Top, Young Professionals in the Upstate
PIQUE: (verb) to stimulate (interest or curiosity)
As the millennial generation replaces the boomer generation in the workforce, it is important to give those young professionals their own millennial-style networking groups—and Ten at the Top has created the PIQUE, an annual event for personal and professional development opportunities.
In the spirit of collaboration, the PIQUE brings together existing young professional organizations in the Upstate. Organizations promote the event to members and in return $5 of each ticket sold to a partner organization is given back to help fund their programming and events. 2018 partner young professional organizations include: AFL Young Professionals, Clemson Young Professionals,Connect Young Professionals (Greenwood), PULSE (Greenville), Spartanburg Young Professionals, Young Professionals of Anderson County, and United Way of the Piedmont Young Leaders.
The annual event focuses on the collaboration and connection of young professionals (ages 21-40) in the ten county Upstate. The 2019 event, to be held in the spring at the Greenville One Center in Greenville, will feature four workshops, an opportunity to network with Upstate business and community leaders, a wrap-up panel hosted by the Upstate SC Alliance, and a networking reception.
The 2019 PIQUE planning committee has been hard at work planning the event for our Upstate young professionals. The committee is made up of young leaders from across the Upstate region. This year’s committee members include:
- Rebecca Albert, Anderson University
- Christina Auckland, Denny’s
- Rachel Baker, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
- Evan Carr, EC Media
- Virginia Cebe, Scansource
- Laura Cox, Anderson County Economic Development
- Michael McCarthy, Greenwood County Indicators Project
- Elizabeth Miller, SYNNEX Corp.
- Christopher Nicholas, Ethan Rivers, LLC
- Leigh Ann Puryear, Duke Energy
- Britton Rodgers, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce
- Sam Sloan, USC Upstate
- Mary Pat Smith, Anderson United Way
- Tiffany Tate, Upstate SC Alliance
If you represent a young professional organization and would like to become a partner, please contact Adelyn Nottingham (anottingham@tenatthetop.org or 864-283-2313). The event is being held from 1:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25th at the Greenville One Center (1 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29301). Registration opens in early 2019, so mark your calendars now! Click here for more information.
Dec 12, 2016 | Young Professionals in the Upstate
Upstate, SC [December 12, 2016] – Ten at the Top, a non-profit organization focused on promoting collaboration and strategic planning across the Upstate region, has promoted Tiffany Tate to the role of Assistant Director. She has served in the position of Program Manager since joining TATT in October 2014.
Since joining the organization, Tate has overseen the doubling of TATT committees and committee volunteers to more than 20 committees and 500 active committee participants. She has also led the development of regional inventories in a number of areas including child well-being, non-traditional entrepreneurial funders, senior issues and outdoor recreation activities. In her new role, Tate will continue to oversee TATT programs and committees while taking on additional responsibilities in administration and outreach.
“Tiffany has done an amazing job increasing the involvement and impact of Ten at the Top’s committees and task forces,” said TATT Executive Director Dean Hybl. “In her expanded role, I expect Tiffany to continue having a positive impact not just on this organization, but also the Upstate region.”
A graduate of Liberty High School and Clemson University, Tate currently resides near Inman, SC.
About Ten at the Top
Formed in 2009, Ten at the Top envisions an Upstate region where collaboration, coordination and cooperation across communities and business sectors are hallmarks. It fosters partnerships and cooperation amongst the ten counties that form South Carolina’s Upstate, and encourages these diverse communities and stakeholder groups to work together to enhance the Upstate’s economic vitality and quality of life. To date, Ten at the Top has hosted more than 600 meetings, programs, workshops and forums that have informed and engaged 30,000+ participants. To learn more, visit www.tenatthetop.org.
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![Get Involved!]()
May 6, 2016 | Staying on Top, Young Professionals in the Upstate
By: Ashley Downing
The PIQUE on March 7th brought together more than 300 young professionals from across the Upstate region and common theme to the day was GET INVOLVED!
That’s all well and good but… how?
The Upstate is full of opportunities for young professionals to get engaged now to use their talents to make a difference in their community and in our region – we just have to find them. Whether you want to volunteer, enter into local government, focus on economic development, or the arts, the opportunity to make an impact is yours for the taking. Chances are, what you are looking for is already out there, it may just take some homework and a willingness to step out.
Interested in boosting your career? Below are just a few ways to get started…
• Find out if your community already has a young professionals group. It’s an easy way to get plugged in to yps and professional opportunities in your area.
• Get your name out there and attend business networking events, it’s KEY. Make a point to meet the business leaders in your area, they won’t bite! They can also help mentor, guide, and give recommendations to help you in your career.
• Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the news. Both in your area and surrounding areas. Sign up for newsletters from reputable outlets and actually read them! It’s amazing what you’ll learn.
• Be willing to invest in yourself. Read books and articles, take courses that will provide you more information or qualifications, go to lunch with one of those leaders you connected with and pick their brain.
Want to give back? Some tips to get you thinking…
• Figure out how much time you have to dedicate to getting involved. This will vary and there is no set amount that you should aim for, it’s up to you.
• Find your passion. Sometimes this is easier said than done but think about it; what you are interested in? What did you love to do as a kid/teen/student? Start there, then branch out. If you know your passion, seek out individuals and organizations that support that. Guaranteed, nonprofits will always welcome your interest and readiness to help out.
• Where do you want to give back? In your direct community or maybe a neighboring city?
• How do you want to serve? What about mentoring or working within a group, children or adults, animals, natural resources, etc. – how can your unique set of skills be best used?
The above is by no means a comprehensive list on how to get engaged, just a few things that I’ve picked up along the way. To get your wheels turning. Know that it is possible, people are generally nice and easy to talk to, and you have the wherewithal to do something that matters; for your career and/or your community.
Ashley is the Communications Manager for Ten at the Top and an Upstate native.
Mar 9, 2016 | Young Professionals in the Upstate
Greenville, SC [March 8, 2016] – Ten at the Top (TATT) hosted the PIQUE: Young Leaders Elevating the Upstate on March 7th. More than 300 young professionals and executives from across the Upstate participated in this inaugural event that focused on the collaboration and connection of young professionals in the ten county Upstate. The March 7th program, was held in downtown Greenville and featured both personal and professional development workshops and panel discussions.
The millennial generation (ages 21-39) is quickly surpassing the Baby-Boomer generation and they will soon be our leaders. The PIQUE opened the doors of opportunity for future leaders of the Upstate to gather in one place to share ideas and discuss how to work collaboratively for the future.
The “Executive Networking” workshop allowed attendees to gain valuable knowledge and wisdom to better their personal careers from more than thirty (30) of the Upstate’s most well-known executives. The “How to Market Yourself on Social Media” workshop, led by the team at Engenius, taught attendees the importance of creating a personal brand and sticking to it. “How to Serve on a Board of Directors,” led by Chris Steed, Executive Director of the Fullerton Foundation, shared with attendees the value they could bring to a board of directors for an Upstate nonprofit organization. To close out the day, the Elevating the Upstate Panel Discussion allowed for an interactive look into where the Upstate region has been, where it is going, and how young professionals can make a difference by getting involved now.
Following the workshops and panel discussion, attendees were invited to stay for a reception that featured an exceptional craft beer tasting, provided by the Growler Haus featuring five of the Upstate’s breweries, Brewery 85, Birds Fly South, RJ Rockers, Thomas Creek Brewery, and Quest Brewing Co. A whiskey tasting provided by Dark Corner Distillery featured four of their most popular whiskey’s. Hors d’oeuvres were catered by Feed & Seed, a local organization dedicated to providing the Upstate with fresh and local goods. Papi’s Tacos also provided traveling tacos. The reception allowed for continued networking and collaboration for the future leaders of the Upstate.
The PIQUE would not have been successful without the dedication and hard work of many individuals and businesses. Ten at the Top would like to extend a grateful thank you to our sponsors, Piedmont Natural Gas, Greenville Technical College, The Fullerton Foundation, Engenius, The Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Seamon Whiteside & Associates, Baptist Easley Hospital, WGTK-FM, Growler Haus, and Feed & Seed.
The event is planned to be annual and in different counties across the Upstate.
About Ten at the Top
Comprised of public, private and civic leaders from across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina Region, Ten at the Top was created to connect and encourage regional collaboration through data-driven research and regular convening of leaders and citizens to address key issues facing the region. Ten at the Top works with regional partners to foster collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow. For more information, visit www.tenatthetop.org.
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Feb 8, 2016 | Young Professionals in the Upstate
Greenville, SC [January 8, 2016] – Ten at the Top (TATT) will host the PIQUE, an event focusing on the collaboration and connection of young professionals in the ten county Upstate, which includes Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union counties. The March 7th program, to be held in downtown Greenville and will feature three workshops, a panel discussion on regionalism and community involvement, and several networking opportunities.
The millennial generation (ages 21-39) is quickly surpassing the Baby-Boomer generation and they will soon be our leaders. By offering valuable career and personal development opportunities, the PIQUE will open the doors of opportunity for future leaders of the Upstate to gather in one place to share ideas and discuss how to work collaboratively for the future.
For many young leaders who want to make an impact on their local community, one major barrier is having access to current decision makers who are helping shape the region. The PIQUE hopes to foster collaboration and bridge the gaps between young professionals and the Upstates top executives.
Workshops such as “How to Market Yourself on Social Media” “Executive Networking,” and “How to Serve on a Board” will each be led by experts on the respective topics. Executives from a variety of fields across the Upstate including but not limited to Small Business, Education, Finance, Nonprofit, Government, and Community are participating in the PIQUE to answer questions and make connections with the future leaders of the Upstate.
The event is being held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7th at the Clemson One Building (1 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601) with a reception to immediately follow that will include craft beer tastings, local food, and the opportunity to network. The cost to attend is $26 and space is limited. Register at www.thepique.org. For more information, contact Ashley Downing at 864-283-2317 or adowning@tenatthetop.org.
About Ten at the Top
Comprised of public, private and civic leaders from across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina Region, Ten at the Top was created to connect and encourage regional collaboration through data-driven research and regular convening of leaders and citizens to address key issues facing the region. Ten at the Top works with regional partners to foster collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow. For more information, visit www.tenatthetop.org.
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