Celebrating 20 Years of Growth, Leadership & Connection

Please join us for our Dubuque Area Chamber’s Young Professionals Dubuque Symposium 2026 on Wed., October 21st from 11:30 am - 4:30 pm at Holiday Inn Dubuque.

For 20 years, Young Professionals Dubuque has been bringing together talented, motivated individuals who are building their careers, growing their networks and making an impact on our community. This year's YP Symposium celebrates that legacy—and looks ahead to what's next.

The YP Symposium is an opportunity to invest in the people who are shaping the future of our workplaces, our community and our region.

Designed for young professionals at every stage of their career, this energizing event brings together emerging leaders, employers and community members for an experience focused on personal and professional growth, leadership, connection and inspiration. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives, practical takeaways and meaningful connections they can carry back to their careers and everyday lives.

Whether you're a young professional looking to grow, connect and find your next opportunity—or an employer investing in the development and retention of your emerging talent—the YP Symposium is a day designed to deliver lasting value.

For 20 years, Young Professionals Dubuque has been helping attract and retain talent, develop leaders and create meaningful connections throughout our community. Join us as we celebrate where we've been, invest in where we're going and continue building the next generation of leaders.

The YPD Symposium 2026 will be held on Wed., October 21, 2026 at Holiday Inn Dubuque. Registration closes October 14th. 

AGENDA

11:30 AM - NOON | Registration and Lunch buffet

Noon - 12:10 PM | Welcome, Brien Nugent, YP Chair

12:10 - 1:00 PM | Opening keynote, Luke Soderling | "Thrive in the Unknown: Lessons from the Wilderness on Discovery Channel's The Wheel" | Having survived 60 days in the wilderness across six vastly different environments in South America, Luke brings a powerful and unique perspective on resilience, gratitude, purpose and overcoming challenges—lessons that resonate far beyond survival.

1:00 - 1:15 PM | Share Breakout information

1:15 - 1:25 PM | Break

1:25 - 2:25 PM | Breakouts 1A & 1B

• 1A) Luke Soderling | "Overcoming Aversity: How to keep going with times get tough"

• 1B) Tom Barton & Danny Moore, Barton Wealth Management | “Investing fundamentals: Understanding the basics to help achieve your goals”

2:25 - 2:35 PM | Break

2:35 – 3:35 PM | Breakouts 2A & 2B

• 2A) Lauren Minert, Kunkel & Associates | "What People See Before They Meet You: Your Digital First Impression" | If a recruiter looked you up today, what would they learn about you before you ever walked into an interview? Your first impression often happens long before you meet someone in person. Your LinkedIn profile, social media activity, emails, online interactions, and even the way you use AI can all contribute to the story people begin building about you. In this interactive session, Lauren will share a recruiter’s perspective on what employers actually notice, what can help or hurt your first impression, and why your online presence does not need to be perfect to be powerful. You’ll learn how to make your LinkedIn more searchable, show evidence of your skills and involvement, use AI without losing your personality, and build a professional reputation that still feels like you. Expect real examples, red flag versus green flag scenarios, practical LinkedIn tips, and simple changes you can make immediately as you prepare for internships, your first job, and the beginning of your career.

• 2B) Kyle Kumpf, Stacey Hines, Derek Olberding, and Nicole Sutton | "YP Past Chairs panel" | For 20 years, Young Professionals Dubuque has helped young professionals grow their careers, build lasting relationships and become leaders in our community. Hear directly from a panel of YPD Past Chairs as they reflect on their experiences—from the opportunities that shaped their careers to the relationships that became lifelong connections. They'll share the lessons they learned, the ways YPD helped them navigate work and life, and why getting involved can make a difference at every stage of your career. Whether you're brand new to YPD or you've been involved for years, you'll leave with a better understanding of what can happen when you choose to show up, get involved and say yes. 20 years of stories. Countless connections. A legacy that continues with you.

3:35 – 3:45 PM | Break

3:45 - 4:15 PM | Meghan Hackett award presentation

4:15 – 4:30 PM | Closing

4:30 – 6:30 PM | After Hours Reception, Blue Moon Room, Holiday Inn Dubuque | Thank you to our libations sponsor, Barton Wealth Management! The After Hours Reception is open to all YP members, not just YP Symposium attendees.

YPD Symposium is a half-day, conference-style experience designed to provide area young professionals with tools to accelerate their careers and access out-of-the-box development. This dynamic event will feature the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and peers, gain insights from experts, and amass actionable takeaways covering essential skills like leadership, networking, and productivity.

Whether it be professional or personal, we strive to present attendees with information and connections to help them thrive in both the Dubuque community and today's competitive workforce. This conference is a must-attend for anyone focused on professional growth and personal success.

Questions? Call Justine at the Chamber for details, 563.557.9200.