New IYP President Bets on Southland
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Invercargill Young Professionals has a new president, and she wants young people to stop quietly leaving Southland.
Breea Scully has been appointed president of Invercargill Young Professionals (IYP), with the committee's focus squarely on making the region somewhere people actually want to stay.
"There is a lot of discussion at the moment around regional growth, attracting talent, and the perception of Southland," Scully said. "If we want talented people to choose Southland, we need to create a place that not only offers great career opportunities, but also provides opportunities for people to connect and enjoy life outside of their 9-to-5."
It is a practical pitch. Not a rebrand campaign or a glossy recruitment video — just people meeting people, across industries that might never otherwise share a room.
"IYP brings together people from different industries and workplaces who might not otherwise cross paths," Scully said. "By creating opportunities to connect and build relationships, we help strengthen both professional networks and the wider community."
Scully sees IYP as quietly doing something local government and employers cannot easily manufacture: genuine social infrastructure for people in their twenties and thirties who are still deciding where to plant themselves.
"IYP plays an important role in that. Our aim is to create events for young professionals to connect and socialise with others who are building their careers here. Being part of IYP helps people feel connected to the community. By creating those connections, we're doing our part to help make Southland a place where talented people choose to stay and build their future."
The calendar already has a centrepiece. The IYP Ball is set for Friday July 4 at the Kelvin Hotel, and Scully is not underselling it.
"The Ball is set to be our biggest event of the year and a fantastic opportunity for young professionals across Southland to come together and celebrate," she said. "We'd like to extend a special thank you to ILT for their support in helping us bring this event to life and for hosting us on Level 6 of the Kelvin Hotel."
For some attendees, the occasion carries a certain novelty. "For some, the IYP Ball will be the first time they've had the chance to dress up for a formal occasion since their high school ball 5, 10 or even 15 years ago!"
Sponsors backing the organisation include ILT, AWS Legal, SBS Bank, Finance Now, Naked Creative, Craigs Investment Partners, McCulloch & Partners, Blue River Dairy and Bayleys Southland Real Estate.
"Their investment in young professionals demonstrates their commitment to building the future of Southland and helps us create experiences that bring people together," Scully said.
Tickets for the IYP Ball are available now.