BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The inaugural meeting of the Young Professionals Forum Thursday resulted in participant interest and a desire for event involvement in and around Bay Minette.

Approximately 25 business people attend the meeting held at Bay Minette City Hall and decided to continue group meetings and to aid the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Career Expo at Baldwin County High School Oct. 13 for the first project.

Chamber Board Chairman Brandon Simpson listened to feedback at the end of the meeting and concluded that in addition to the career expo, members would like to bring back the Belles and Beaux program (Chamber ambassadors at Baldwin County High School) and to bring back the community Corn Boil.

The group remains in its initial stages at this point, and Simpson told those present that  he would like potential-member and project-idea information emailed to him or sent to the Chamber, he said.

But Simpson wasn’t the only one to address the group. Bay Minette Police Chief Michael Rowland and Baldwin County Field Representative for Congressman Jo Bonner Brian Parker did so, as well, offering ideas for the Forum’s future and personal goals for members.

“Your success depends on ideas and leadership and your ability to come together and put those ideas into action,” Rowland told the group. “No one person has all the best ideas, and you’ll be the leaders of this community tomorrow.”

Simpson added that he hopes the Forum will help “bridge the gap between current and future leaders.”

According to Chamber Executive Director Margo Allen, young leaders are needed.

“Baby boomers are tapping out, and it’s important to get your age group involved,” she told the group. “We need to create venues to revive networking and business after hours, but with you guys. We want to uplift you guys.”

For more information about the Young Professionals Forum, call 937-5665.