Hundreds of Dayton’s young talent will join together as community advocates to improve and strengthen the Dayton region during UpDayton’s 2013 Summit. This year’s event takes place on Friday, April 19th at the Dayton Art Institute from 2:00-6:00 PM.

For the past five years, UpDayton has hosted this high-energy event, bringing together young professionals and students to engage in discussions addressing viable and creative solutions to regional problems.

At this year’s Summit, attendees will have the option to take on one of three “challenges” that focuses on key issues in Dayton: the “Livability Challenge,” “Campus Challenge,” and “Entrepreneurship Challenge.” The solutions to these Challenges, which will evolve out of the creative process at the Summit, aim to build the region’s vibrancy, catalyze off-campus student involvement, and encourage local entrepreneurs. These Challenge teams will then embark on a year-long journey to implement their vision with the ultimate goal of spurring economic growth by attracting and retaining young talent.

“The format of this year’s Summit will look a bit differently than it has in the past,” explained Laura Estandia, executive director of UpDayton. “We are really trying to foster the creation of meaningful, sustainable projects that will specifically address some of the issues that we believe UpDayton can impact.”

In addition to a adopting a new structure to facilitate the creative process, UpDayton is presenting a keynote speaker, Mayor John Fetterman. Fetterman is a pioneer in the field of rust-belt revitalization after becoming the mayor of Braddock, PA. Despite the town being economically ravaged by a collapse in the steel industry, he mobilized a revitalization effort that has helped create a safer, more creative Braddock. His ideas on urban renewal and economic development are at the forefront for community building. Fetterman will speak on leadership and community development.

“We are so honored that Mayor Fetterman is our keynote speaker at this Summit. I think his perspective will be pertinent and inspirational to all the Summit attendees,” said Estandia.

Tickets to the Summit are $15 and $5 for students. Attendees are encouraged to ask their employers to sponsor their tickets to the Summit. Tickets can be purchased through the UpDayton website at http://updayton.com/summit. Best of all, the Summit will be followed by an after-party, at Therapy Cafe offering networking opportunities, food, drink, and the chance to earn a free gifts from local businesses!

Sponsors for this event include SOCHE, CareSource, Vectren, Dayton City Paper, Dayton Business Journal, CreativeFuse, DaytonMostMetro, Pepsico, Dayton Development Coalition, RTA, Brixx Ice Company, the University of Dayton, Wright State University, Strayer University, Five Rivers MetroParks, The Business of Ohio, Essex Electric Company, and 91.3 WYSO.