The second Permian Basin Leadership Symposium will kick off at 8 a.m. with registration Sept. 12 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
The all-day event will feature keynote speakers 446th District Court Judge Sara Kate Billingsley and motivational speaker Sean Douglas.
Ramiro Salinas, Young Professionals of Odessa secretary, said Douglas was a breakout speaker last year.
“He made such a big impact that we brought him back as (a) keynote this year,” Salinas said.
Jacqueline Saucedo, marketing liaison, said the topics are centered on legacy, impact, courage and reflection.
Last year they had 100 people turn out and are hoping to double that this year, Chair Julie Prentice said. The summit last year attracted people from around the Permian Basin and even Utah.
“Our goal is to make it annual; make it bigger and better every year,” Prentice said.
She added that there are many benefits to attending the event, which is not just for people 40 and under.
“First we’re trying to improve everybody, and … kind of renew everybody’s spirit and get them back into a leadership mindset. … Then we also want to help everybody network. That’s one of the greatest things about the Permian Basin is when everybody networks and works together, anything is possible. We want people to come to this event and make those connections and leave with that mindset,” Prentice said.
They started planning for this year the day after the event ended last year.
Saucedo said she is most looking forward to the energy in the room.
“When you’re listening to someone tell their story or share their impact is really uplifting and motivating,” she added.
It’s a good time for the summit because it’s the end of summer. School has started and it’s a few months before the holidays so it’s a chance to give attendees a motivational boost, Blake Fosse, Permian Basin Leadership Symposium liaison said.
Fosse added that it’s inspiring to hear other people’s stories and he’s anticipating seeing Douglas as a keynote this year.
“I just think it’s really good towards the end of the year to start focusing on next year, reflecting on your goals for next year. I think this is a good place to start and get that motivation,” Salinas said.
Prentice added that a lot of businesses are on a different calendar year because of their fiscal years.
“When they’re looking forward to what they want their business to achieve next year, this was a good time for them to have it,” she said.
The event energized YPO and its board to make that kind of impact in the community and it also reinvigorated them for their regular jobs.
YPO has 187 members and Saucedo said their goal is to reach 200.
“It’s ongoing work to try to show young professionals the value of our organization and definitely once they get a taste of what is out there it really does kind of draw them in to become more active within our organization. It’s contagious,” Saucedo said.
They also have people who attend YPO events and then ask how they can help plan the next one, Salinas said.
Tickets are on sale for the summit and ticket information is available on the YPO Facebook page, facebook.com/YPOdessa and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce website, ypodessa.org
“It’s an amazing, empowering and uplifting event. The people last year I think were surprised at how much they got out of it, at least that was the feedback we got. If you’re on the fence, come give it a shot, because it’s going to be a lot of fun and a great time,” Prentice said.
