The voices were consistent: Professional networking yields more than just business contacts and partnerships; social networks are also formed. That’s why Jason Watts, pictured, founded the Connecticut Urban Professionals Network (UPN).
“I started this in the fall of ‘05 because i was frustrated with the lack of urban activites, mixers, for professionals in downtown New Haven,” he said.
The Urban Professionals Network hosted its monthly Business After Hours on Thursday at Quattro’s in New Haven. The network has 160 members across the state and hosts networking events in all of the state’s major cities: Stamford, Hartford, New London, Bridgeport and New Haven.
Why get involved with these groups? For fun and for work.
“I wanted to meet like-minded people,” said Linda Lee, a youth probation officer. “I’ve met people from New Haven that I never would have met before.”
Robin Waite, pictured with Watts, was a guest at the event and not a member of UPN — yet. She said her friend is a member and wanted her to come.
“Everyone at these things are facing the same issues,” she said. “Sometimes people can end up working together. I love this stuff.”
Watts said that lucrative relationships can be formed through networking events. “One member offered free training to anyone who wanted to do mortages,” he said. “One of our other members went down, got trained and got a job.”
Nadja Caleb, pictured, came all the way from Westchester County, N.Y. “I met Jason and he told me about his dream to help others,” she said. “And I believed in it.”
For Watts, it’s all about the business. “Connections,” he said. “That’s the really big part of it. And there’s a certain power when people come together.”
To get involved call Watts at 203 – 506-4649 or visit here.