Bermuda's budding young professionals will be able to get ahead in business and in their social life thanks to a new organisation launched by the Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

The committee of Bermuda's Emerging Professionals (BEPRO) was officially unveiled at the Chamber and there will be a launch party held at the Newstead Hotel in Paget on Thursday in a bid to attract up-and-coming professionals, from those starting out to those in the first 15 years of their careers. More than 100 attendees are already confirmed for the event.

It will focus on providing career development and networking opportunities to professionals across the Island and aims to be all-inclusive, with Bermudians and expatriates from all industries welcome to join, as well as allowing them to give something back to the community.

Among the committee members are Zoe Roberts, a corporate lawyer at Mello Jones & Martin, Lindsay Davis, from ESC Ltd., Marie-Pier Belanger, a recruitment consultant at The James Partnership, Sylvia Ryan, managing director of Corporate Concierge Bermuda Ltd., Taaj Jamal, a pupil at Cox Hallett Wilkinson, Chiara Nanini, an associate at Conyers Dill & Pearman (CD&P), Alexandra Mosher, director of marketing at Newstead Belmont Hills, vice-president of Benedict Associates Ltd. and owner of Gemeaux Studio and Aziza Ahad, from Aardvark Communications.

Ms Ryan and Mr. Jamal sit on the executive board, Ms Belanger is the professional development director, Ms Nanini is the community development director, Ms Roberts and Ms Davis are the social committee co-directors and Ms Mosher and Ms Ahad are the marketing committee co-directors, assisted by Fiona Lines, Chamber of Commerce representative, and advisory committee members Dennis Fagundo and Nicole Warren.

The idea for the organisation came from the American Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda Chamber decided to set up its own group for young professionals drawing from a range of expertise, experience and backgrounds in order to get to know professionals across all sectors and at all levels.

"This was really to bring together people with different perspectives and backgrounds and expertise, which really points to the core of what BEPRO is all about," said Ms Ryan.

"We have both professional development and networking events planned for our first quarter, and based on the feedback we have received from new members already this promises to be a very successful new venture for emerging professionals here in Bermuda."

Mr. Jamal said: "Irrespective of the economic climate, it is going to be important for people at the beginning of their career to meet other people - that is the most difficult part and that is what we are here to help with.

"We are inclusive and we are trying to draw from all professions, whether Bermudian or expat."

Ms Mosher said it was equally important to put something back into the community and making a difference , at the same time as enabling professionals to enjoy the social scene.

Each of the committee members gave a presentation of their respective roles and outlined their visions for the future, such as a target membership of 750 people by the end of the year and listening to and implementing members' feedback.

Diane Gordon, executive vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the committee represented the new face of business in Bermuda and offering a wide variety of ideas and designs to bring to the table in the future.

"These are the key players that are extremely diverse in their way of thinking, presentation and types of careers that they are in," she said.

"This is a group that in a few weeks we have seen have really dug deep and are real movers and shakers and they are here to take over in the future.

"We have a group of dedicated, committed professionals here who really want to make a difference and are prepared to step up and want to make Bermuda's economy secure and want to put their time and effort into doing so."

BEPRO, which is a division of the Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a series of Lunch 'n' Learn sessions, which will be free to its members and based on a Chamber survey earlier this year with Young Professionals in Bermuda, with future discussions around feedback received directly from members.

The sessions kick off at the Chamber on May 21 (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.) with 'Advice on career planning, development and alternatives', with a talk given by Britt Reiss, president of The James Partnership.

This is followed by 'Purchasing a home: managing mortgages' on June 17 (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.), presented by Matthew Ringer, sales agent at Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty, Cynthia Millet, an associate in the property department at CD&P, and L'Tanya Tucker, mortgage manager at the Bank of Bermuda, HSBC Group.

Following sessions range from 'Investment opportunity: managing finances during difficult economic times' by Miguel DaPonte, investment manager at BF&M, on July 16, to 'How to start your own business' on September 17. Both run between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

The launch party, which is sponsored by the Newstead Hotel, Beau Rivage, Cox Hallett Wilkinson, Bacardi and Brown & Co., will take place at the Newstead Hotel on Thursday between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., subject to change to April 30 in the event of rain.

A water shuttle service will run between Hamilton Ferry Terminal and Newstead, starting at 5.15 p.m., with door prizes, including a top prize of two nights for two people in a room with a harbour view at the Newstead Belmont Hills Gold Resort & Spa, free BEPRO mojitos, entertainment by DJ Chubb featuring Taylor Rankin, a cash bar at happy hour prices and food provided.

New members can sign up at the party or via the BEPRO website at www.bepro.bm and annual membership costs $50 per person. For more information about the event, call 295-8932 or e-mail info@bepro.bm