Register for upcoming events with Young Professionals of Knoxville
Get ready to unleash your creativity with YPK as we come together to paint the rock! This is your chance to make a bold statement, show off your artistic skills, and connect with the community.
Join the Young Professionals of Knoxville for a casual morning of coffee and networking! ☕ We’re teaming up with Blount County, Knox Area Urban League, Loudon, and West Young Professionals to bring together young professionals from across East Tennessee. This is a great opportunity to expand your network, exchange ideas, and connect with like-minded peers in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Don’t miss out—come sip, chat, and build valuable relationships!
Volunteer with YPK by removing invasive species with the Ijams Natural Resource Management team! You'll learn to identify invasive plant species and be trained in removal/control techniques. We'll learn at a lot about the plants around us while also getting to know your fellow YPK members!
PLEASE ALSO REGISTER VIA IJAMS GIVEPULSE: https://www.givepulse.com/event/563660
When prompted, the code to enter is PROFESSIONAL.
This is rain or shine, labor-intensive work, and volunteers typically get dirty, but the result is very rewarding. Gloves and tools will be provided. Please wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts (protection from thorns and poison ivy). Bring water and bug spray!
PARKING: Park at the Meads Quarry main or overflow parking lot. QR Code will be given to receive free parking while you are volunteering - To make things quicker, please register your vehicle at https://app.metropolis.io/sign-in
Welcome to YPK 101! If you're a young professional looking to grow your network, develop your skills, and make an impact in Knoxville, this event is for you! Whether you're new to the area or a longtime local, YPK 101 is the perfect opportunity to learn how Young Professionals of Knoxville can help you connect, develop, and serve in the community.
Meet current members, explore the benefits of membership, and discover how YPK can support your personal and professional journey. Don’t miss this chance to see if YPK is the right fit for you!
Get the weekend started with YPK! Join us for a delightful brunch experience filled with great food, amazing people, meaningful connections, and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're looking to network, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a fantastic meal, this is the perfect way to kick off your weekend!
RSVP now and let’s brunch together! Only 15 seats available.
Come join YPK for this month's Social from 5:30 - 7:30pm (and probably later). Feel free to swing by after work to have a drink, meet new friends, and network with other young professionals in the greater Knoxville area.
Whether you're coming to reconnect with friends, learn more about YPK, or experience a new scene in Knoxville, you've found the right place. We look forward to seeing you there!
Clean up YPK's dedicated mile with us! We'll meet in the middle at the Original Freezo and the split up into groups. Supplies for picking up trash will be provided. Please bring water and wear appropriate shoes for walking!
All members are welcome to join us for our first professional development workshop of the year, "Influencing for Impact." Everyone has influence, and knowing how to leverage it can have a significant impact on your organization and your career. Led by YPK member Emma Moran, we're going to explore practical strategies for increasing your influence and leadership at work — regardless of job title, department, or industry. This workshop will be interactive and discussion-oriented, so come prepared to engage with fellow YPK members as we up-level our influencing skills together! Open to all industries, seniority and skill levels.
About the Speaker: Emma's career spans several industries, including B2B SaaS/Tech, startups, small business & entrepreneurship, nonprofit organizations, agencies, and secondary & higher education. She has held multiple leadership positions over the years and currently works as the Senior Director of Revenue Operations for a tech company. Emma has been a member of YPK for five years and is a graduate of both the YPK Leadership Certificate (2020) and the Let Her Lead Established Leader program (2023). Connect with Emma on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmapmoran/
Join YPK, as we help with the 2025 Tennessee Science Bowl (TSB)! TSB is held annually for high school teams across the state, with the chance to move on to the national science bowl, held in Washington, D.C. TSB is seeking volunteers to run the event during the competition Saturday, February 22nd. Lunch and morning coffee/refreshments are provided to all volunteers, along with a swag bag of goodies.
If interested please register both with YPK AND TSB, as they will need a head count on volunteers. TSB registration can be found here (https://orausurvey.orau.org/TakeSurveyPage.aspx?s=0ba1846e9d124fe4972cda0217fff58d&tsid=6733d12199524ebc99a760921ff4c394&c=en-US).
A training will be offered on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, at the J.L. Goins Administration Building, Pellissippi State’s Hardin Valley Campus, and online via Zoom. The training is required for Moderators, Question Judges, and Rules Judges and is strongly recommended for Scorekeepers and Timekeepers with less than 3 years of experience. Details on roles for volunteers can be found here (https://www.orau.gov/sciencebowl/volunteers/index.html).
Winter General Membership Meeting: Committee Circuit Challenge
Come join us for our first general membership meeting for 2025! We will be highlighting all of the wonderful opportunities to get involved in YPK this year, for new members and returning members. We also have some exciting updates and our strategic plan to share with all members.
Join us for YPK's first Community Outreach event of 2025 as we serve at Second Harvest Food Bank! We will meet at their distribution center at 136 Harvest Lane in Maryville, TN at 1:00 PM, and will support with needs such as organizing donations and packing food.
Please come dressed for working in a warehouse environment, noting the following:
- Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty
- Open toed shoes are prohibited
- Jewelry must be limited to rings only (you may be asked to remove rings prior to entering the warehouse)
- You may be required to wear a mask, gloves, and hairnet depending on your work project. ALL hair must fit into hairnet - bring a hair band if you have long hair.
Join YPK’s trivia team at Maple Hall as we look to start the 2025 season with another W! Whether you’re a rookie or seasoned trivia player, everyone possesses knowledge that could potentially lead us to victory!
Trivia starts at 7 PM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early to secure seating and form team(s).
Thank you all for contributing to an incredible year of YPK! We are so excited to celebrate with each of you at our Annual Not New Year’s Eve New Year's party!
Below, please review a few important details to keep in mind prior to arriving:
Attire: Treat this party as if it were New Year’s Eve! Feel free to dress up, wear sparkles, bow ties, and all things festive!
Parking Suggestions: Parking will be free after 6:00 p.m. at all meters and most parking garages downtown. We recommend using the Market St. garage at 406 Walnut St., as it is closest to the venue and will be free. If you are concerned about driving after the event, please use good judgment before driving yourself. Uber and Lyft are all over our city for your benefit. Safety first!
Location: The Emporium
Entry: Check-in will open at 6:00 p.m. and the event will officially kick off by 6:30 p.m. The party runs until 8:30 p.m. We will have a brief word from our YPK President and a special surprise for our members around 7:45 p.m. You don't want to miss out on this! :)
Check-In: Similar to our monthly socials, we will set up our check-in table near the entrance to our event space.
Food: We will have light bites available but please note, these items are not intended to serve as a full meal. We recommend having dinner after the event or beforehand.
Drinks: Each registrant (including plus ones) will receive TWO drink tickets. Make sure to visit our check-in table before coming upstairs so you receive your tickets.
Members - if you have your magnetic name tag, don't forget to wear it!
Join YPK for some holiday gift wrapping with Emerald Youth Foundation! The gifts wrapped will go out to children and families in need this holiday season. We look forward to seeing you there!
Our final GMM of the year will be held on Sunday Nov. 17th from 2:30 - 5:00 pm at Marble Hall in Lakeshore Park: Main Events Lawn, Orchard Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919
Once inside the park, follow signs to Marble Hall - there is dedicated parking right next to our location (see attached map).
We're also hosting our Friendsgiving celebration in conjunction with this GMM! Please review our potluck sign-up sheet and consider bringing a dish to share with everyone.
We can't wait to see you soon!
Join YPK, AMA (The American Marketing Association), TNT (The Total Networking Team) and other organizations around Knoxville in a speed-dating style networking event!
Come prepared to spend an hour hopping from conversation to conversation as we ring the bell or hit the gong every few minutes. This is a great way to connect your business with others and for YPK members to interact with other organizations around town.
Your ticket includes admission and a drink ticket to start!
All sign-ups will be through the link provided through the AMA Eventbrite site. YPK members will have first call on tickets till the end of October before we open them up to the public. Non-Member tickets will be $5.
Purchase your tickets or host a table at the 12th Annual Impact Awards. The Young Professionals of Knoxville look forward to honoring local organizations, businesses, and individuals who impact local young professionals on Friday, November 8. This semi-formal event provides an opportunity to recognize leaders in the Knoxville community, network with other professionals, and celebrate all things Knoxville. A cocktail hour will precede dinner and the awards ceremony. YPK members receive a $50 discount on tickets. Not a YPK member? Become one today.
By purchasing tickets and tables, you not only support this event but also invest in the future of Knoxville, ensuring that the spirit of personal connection, professional development, and community service continues to thrive among its young professionals. Don't miss this chance to be part of an unforgettable evening, reserve your seats before we sell out!
Come join us to clean up our adopted mile of North Central Street! We will meet in front of The Original Freezo on Sunday, November 3rd at 10:00am, located at 1305 North Central Street. All work gloves, trash bags, and litter pickers will be provided.
All YPK members are welcome to join the Arts & Culture Affinity group at The Pirates of Penzance presented by the Knoxville Opera!
Set sail for laughter and adventure with Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance."
Fall in love with the whimsical world of "The Pirates of Penzance," where pirates roam the high seas and maidens swoon at the sight of a handsome young hero. With its delightful melodies and clever wordplay, this classic operetta tells the story of love at first sight, mistaken identities, and daring escapes. Join this colorful cast of characters as they navigate the rocky shores of romance with charm and humor.
Tickets are available at a special YPK member rate of $25. We’ll enjoy the show as a group, and you're encouraged to bring the fun by dressing as a pirate (optional, but always a good time!). Don’t miss out—be sure to purchase your ticket by October 24!
Come in your Halloween costume and join YPK for this month's sp00ky social from 5:30-7:30 (and probably later). Instead of being randomized, this month's raffle awards will be given away to the best costumes, so bring a pet, a friend, and your best outfit.
For those new to YPK socials, whether you're coming to reconnect with friends, learn more about YPK, or experience a new scene in Knoxville, you've found the right place. Feel free to swing by after work to have a drink, meet new friends, and network with other young professionals in the greater Knoxville area.
We look forward to seeing you there!
You're invited to After Work with ETEC & YPK at the American Museum of Science & Energy (AMSE) in Oak Ridge!
Enjoy networking, an engaging program, hors d'oeuvres, beer & wine, and exploring AMSE's exhibits and its unique gift shop! Local entrepreneur Brandon Bruce will lead a forward-looking discussion on tech business growth in the Knoxville region, followed by an interactive science show from AMSE's Marketing & Communications Director Matt Mullins.
After Work is an East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) event series focused on connecting emerging and established professionals.
ETEC is collaborating with YPK for this special edition of After Work, sponsored by Bank of America, to create an even broader platform for professional growth and connection.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Join us for another YPK 101, a crash course on Young Professionals of Knoxville. Our recruitment event is the best time to learn more about YPK and enjoy a discounted membership for your first year.
We look forward to seeing you there, introducing you to some new friends, and answering your questions about what it means to be a member.
Join us for an action-packed event filled with classic and modern arcade games, friendly competitions, and plenty of nostalgia.
This event will feature:
- 2 hours of unlimited access to all activities (laser tag, bowling, billiards, gravity ropes, and shuffleboard)
- 1 hour time card (1 hour of video games/ arcade games)
- Unlimited sodas, bottled water, tea, and coffee
Bring your competitive spirit and get ready for an unforgettable arcade adventure!
After the event, a few of us plan to continue the fun at a bar nearby to grab a bite and watch the UT vs. Arkansas game (depending on what time it’s at)!
Come join YPK for this month's Social from 5:30 - 7:30pm (and probably later). Feel free to swing by after work to have a drink, meet new friends, and network with other young professionals in the greater Knoxville area.
Whether you're coming to reconnect with friends, learn more about YPK, or experience a new scene in Knoxville, you've found the right place. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join the YPK Trivia team as we return to Yee-Haw again for their weekly trivia! We have gift cards from the last time we won, so if you were on the winning team then we will split the winnings!
Discover the joys of golf and expand your professional circle at Golf 101: Learn, Play, and Network on the Green. Whether you're a complete novice or looking to polish your skills, this event offers the perfect blend of learning, playing, and networking.
Join LPGA professional, Allie Knight, for a hands-on clinic that will cover essential skills, including proper grip, stance, swing techniques, and putting basics. This hands-on lesson is perfect for those who want to learn the fundamentals and gain confidence on the course.
Feel free to bring your own clubs. Golf balls will be provided.
YPK has partnered with The Knoxville Chamber and The Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals to invite all local young professionals to come together and learn about the importance and logistics of voting.
Chris Davis, the Administrator for the Knox County Election Commission, and Amy Nolan, the Vice President of Regional Enhancement for the Knoxville Chamber, will lead the discussion. They will share with young professionals the mechanics behind an election, why it's important to vote and be engaged with local government, as well as all the "to knows" when it comes to Knox County and Knoxville government. There will also be an opportunity to register to vote on site!
Refreshments will be available.
Please register here!
Join the Impact Awards Planning Committee as we shift gears from the nomination process to the exciting voting phase! In this meeting, we'll focus on refining our outreach strategies to engage our members and the community, ensuring a smooth transition into the voting period. This is a critical time to spotlight the incredible nominees and rally support for the awards.
Join us for a relaxing day floating at the picturesque Meads Quarry at Ijams! We’ll spend time floating, swimming, sunbathing, and socializing.
Be sure to bring a float (no larger than 5 feet wide), water safe footwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a water bottle. There are designated changing and restroom facilities, and plenty of parking available near the quarry. Please be aware that Ijams does NOT offer tubes for rent. YPK will have a few extra available for those who need one.
After the event, you’re invited to join us for lunch at 71 South!
Join YPK as we volunteer at BattleField Farms! We will be working at one of BattleField Farms' locations in Knoxville, assisting with cleanup, harvesting, weeding, and more. Please bring appropriate attire for cleaning, that you won't mind getting dirty. We look forward to seeing you there!
We are proud to announce the 3rd annual YPK Giving Event, Harvesting Hope: A Fundraising Dinner for Battlefield Farms. Battlefield Farm's mission is to transform the relationship between land and food in East Knoxville’s underserved communities, ending food insecurity through education, workforce development, and accessible fresh food.
Please join us at the beautiful Mabry-Hazen house for an evening of dinner, drinks, and music.
We are offering a tiered ticketing system. Each ticket level includes dinner, two drink tickets, and a tour of the historic Mabry Hazen house during the event. Our Harvest Hero ticket level includes special event recognition, a local goods gift, and, of course, additional donations to Battlefield Farms.
Join the Arts & Culture Affinity Group for one of Knoxville's favorite festivals, the Asian Festival! Meet Grace, the group lead, at the amphitheater at Noon to enjoy performances on the main stage. Mingle with friends and explore authentic food and traditional activities that represent the Asian cultures of Japan, Indonesia, China, The Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Nepal & Pakistan. For more information and to purchase your $3 admissions ticket, please visit https://www.knoxasianfestival.com/
Join YPKs monthly trivia team as we take on the groups at Hi-Wire Brewing. Everyone is welcome, everyone has a secret talent, or just come to socialize!
Are you looking to gain leadership or management experience outside of your workplace? Mark your calendars for YPK's Leadership Interest Meeting. Hear from current YPK leaders at every level of the organization about the leadership opportunities available when serving on the YPK Board. Hold your seat at the Interest Meeting by registering below and bring your questions as Board nominations for 2025 are open!
Join YPK at Young-Williams Animal Center for this exciting volunteer opportunity! We will be getting kennels cleaned and set up, sweeping and mopping floors, wiping down windows and doors, cleaning up the runs after the dogs finish playgroups, and so on. Please bring appropriate attire for cleaning, that you won't mind getting dirty. We look forward to seeing you there!
