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San Antonio has been recognized as one of the fastest growing cities, yet many young professionals who move here flounder to find their niche in the city. As a small solution to a larger problem, five years ago the Leadership Organization of Professionals (LOOP) launched the first Mega Mixer to bring together young professionals.
Starting as a handful of young professional groups seeking new members, fraternization, and establishment in the community, LOOP’s Mega Mixer has now grown to include more than 20 organizations. Last year’s event sold out at the venue’s capacity with more than 500 attendees; plans are to exceed that number this year.
The Fifth Annual Mega Mixer, which will take place on May 10 at the McNay Art Museum from 5:30-8:30 p.m., intends to connect young professionals to one another and the city in meaningful ways.
“San Antonio is an exciting place to live for young professionals, with so many initiatives going on that we can be a part of,” said Ruth Morris, Chair of LOOP Mega Mixer. “The Mega Mixer is more than another event to meet new friends and business connections, it is an opportunity to get plugged into the San Antonio community in significant ways. By learning about where you can put your fingerprints on the city through these various organizations, we hope that people who attend the Mega Mixer are inspired by the synergy at the event and get involved – in whatever capacity suits them best.”
This year’s Mega Mixer will offer even more engaging activities through LOOP’s partnership with SA2020, which is returning as the community partner for the second year. One of the many activities attendees can partake in is speed networking, which combines pop-up talks from experts and SA2020 partners on local issues, in addition to networking in a smaller, more intimate group.
“We love that the Mega Mixer continually brings together young professionals from so many fields and different areas of the city,” SA2020 CEO and President Molly Cox said. “By partnering with LOOP on this event, SA2020 tries to also connect attendees with more knowledge about our community, its challenges, and specific opportunities to get involved.”
Individuals who bring a jar of peanut butter to benefit Snack Pak 4 Kids at the Mega Mixer can enter to win a party bike tour donated by CycloFiesta. LOOP’s goal is to collect 1,500 jars of peanut butter, representing the safety net dollar amount that distinguishes those who fall into poverty. The evening will conclude with the official Mega Mixer After Party, sponsored by Hornberger Fuller & Garza Inc., which will take place immediately following the Mega Mixer at Silo Alamo Heights.
Tickets are free for young professional members of participating organizations and available for purchase for $25 for non-members. All attendees must register in advance. Tickets sold out last year and expect to sell out again quickly!
LOOP would like to recognize its generous sponsors who make the Mega Mixer possible: The McNay Art Museum, SA2020, San Antonio Current, Silver Eagle, Cinco Vodka, Seersucker Southern Style Gin, LOOP Board Alumni, Live Oak Photo Booth, Texas Star Documents, Rivard Report, Hornberger Fuller & Garza Inc., VIA, Centro San Antonio, and CycloFiesta.
LOOP is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to equip young professionals to transform San Antonio. The organization’s work builds on the momentum of making San Antonio the place for young professionals to thrive in. From its inception in 2012, LOOP’s focus has been to provide an opportunity for young professionals to engage and impact San Antonio.
LOOP’s mission goes beyond social networking – it’s changing the way young professionals impact our city, with an amazing outlook in 2017. LOOP’s positive impact in San Antonio was even highlighted in Forbes Magazine in 2016. LOOP events feature relevant issues to increase knowledge and awareness of local young professionals.
“Every LOOP event has a call to action – now that you have new awareness of issues and resources, our goal is to help young professionals connect the dots to create impact and transformation,” LOOP Chair Taylor Allen said.
Previously, such events have focused on local municipal government 101, leadership development, mentoring relationships, food culture issues, and cyber security, among other issues. Within the last couple of months alone, LOOP partnered with VIA Metropolitan Transit to engage members on regional transportation issues, and worked alongside Choose SA to market San Antonio as a destination for young professionals at SXSW 2017. LOOP will also continue collaboration with the San Antonio Area Foundation to build on success with Get on Board, an open house for local nonprofits seeking new, young board members.
Among the distinguishing programs that LOOP has to offer is its Ambassador Program. LOOP Ambassador Committee members serve as city ambassadors for young people evaluating the city of San Antonio as a place to work, live, and play, as well as to organizations looking to attract outside talent or start its business.
The Ambassador Program helps promote and provide informational resources to young professionals looking to make San Antonio their home. The program works to build resources that connect young professionals with current residents to experience the amenities that San Antonio has to offer. The network of local ambassadors provides prospective residents with insight into the city and local offerings. Individuals can sign up for the Ambassador program here.
To learn more about LOOP or view the calendar of events, please visit our website.
