Annual Young Professionals' Forum
Forum for the Future Press Release
By
Jul 23, 2007 - 11:26:34 AM

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

Contact: Melissa Byrd

             Mbyrd0321@msn.com

             704.995.3232

VALLEY FORWARD TO HOST ‘FORUM FOR THE FUTURE’

September 13 event offers Valley’s next generation of leaders a voice;

Tiki Barber to give keynote address

ROANOKE, Va., (July 23, 2007) – Young professionals will have a chance to voice their opinions and ideas about the future of the region Sept. 13 at Valley Forward’s first annual Forum for the Future presented by WSLS 10 .

Valley Forward, a group formed by young professionals in the Roanoke Valley that unveiled plans to rebuild the historic Rockledge Inn on Mill Mountain and recently raised more than $35,000 at a 5K run to benefit greenways, expects hundreds of area people to attend in what is being billed as a broad dialogue about living and working in the Roanoke Valley.

          Valley Forward’s Forum for the Future is scheduled from 5-9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Roanoke Civic Center . Football great and Roanoke native Tiki Barber will be the keynote speaker.

          Platinum Star sponsors for the event are the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership and Carilion Clinic. First Citizens Bank is a Bronze Star sponsor.

          “As a continuation of our commitment to improving and energizing our community, we are planning a large, high-energy, interactive event that will give young and like-minded professionals the opportunity to voice their opinions about various community issues, stimulate dialogue and action, and bring community members and civic leaders together to discuss a common future for our region,” said John Lugar, chairman of Valley Forward.

          The event will include the keynote address, intimate round-table discussions, and interactive question-and-answer panels where those attending can have direct access to community leaders. In addition, local businesses and organizations will have the opportunity to display their services.

                Valley Forward will also survey participants during the Forum to determine areas of interest and hot-button issues, and will publish their findings on their website.

                “We’re planning a fun, engaging gathering that will use multiple channels of communication to inspire and motivate the audience to care about the future of Roanoke and become an active participant in whatever their passion is – from the arts to greenways, politics to volunteerism,”  said Melissa Byrd, Forum chairwoman of Valley Forward’s Forum for the Future.  

      ABOUT VALLEY FORWARD

      Valley Forward was founded by a group of young professionals to foster, advocate and promote initiatives and ideas with the simple mission of improving the Roanoke Valley ’s quality of life for generations to come.   Valley Forward members have chosen to make the Roanoke Valley their home and want to see progress and a view towards the future, while being respectful of our past. Valley Forward takes an integrated approach to progress by focusing on economic development, cultural enhancement and community involvement. For more information, visit http://www.valleyforward.net/.

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