YEP and the Erie Reader to Take Over the Avalon for the 40 Under 40 Experience
For more than a half decade, the Erie Reader's annual announcement of its "40 Under 40" has been a key highlight of Erie's calendar year. The list, which released its seventh edition in June, celebrates the young adults working to raise Erie's profile and help the city reach its full potential.
That celebration continues this fall when Young Erie Professionals (YEP) and the Erie Reader take over the Avalon Hotel & Conference Center for the second-annual 40 Under 40 Experience.
Scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4, this unique cocktail-chic celebration will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Avalon, 16 W. 10th St. The event is designed to showcase Erie's brightest young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists and leaders in the heart of the City at a long-standing venue that will be transformed for the event.
"For us, holding the event at the Avalon is a natural fit because the transformation taking place within those walls is almost a microcosm of what we're seeing in Erie," said Kristi Bailey, president of YEP. "You might think you know the Avalon, but I promise that this event will showcase the Avalon like you have never seen it before."
The event, which is presented by Marquette Savings Bank, will highlight the talents of past and present 40 Under 40 recipients, and more than 300 attendees are expected. Just like last year, these talents will be highlighted in special ways, too.
Live tattooing will return. Live art demonstrations will be back, too. Several local breweries, distilleries, musicians, restaurants will also be in attendance.
"We've taken the feedback that we received from last year, and we've finetuned this year's event to emphasize what everyone loved most about the inaugural 40 Under 40 Experience," said Adam Welsh, editor in chief of the Erie Reader. "With this year's event, attendees can expect more of what made last year so special: more great local food; awesome live music; beer, wine and spirits made here in the region; and a gathering of great people who share a commitment to this city."
Tickets for the 40 Under 40 Experience are available now and can be purchased at 40u40.eriepa.com. General admission tickets cost $40 per person or $75 for couples. Tickets will be $50 per person at the door.
Founded in 2002, YEP is a program of the Erie Regional Chamber. YEP is dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging leaders and career minded peers to develop professionally, while actively participating in their community to connect, attract and retain young talent in the local workforce.
The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, arts and culture, and is Erie's only independent, alternative newspaper. Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly become the region's award-winning source for arts coverage, a strong cultural compass, and a dynamic resource for news and opinion.
For more information on Erie's 40 Under 40 Experience, contact Bailey at kbailey@yeperie.org.
