What is YPGL?

The 'YPGL' referenced in the title stands for 'Young Professionals of Greater Lowell' and it's a group for, well, young professionals (and if you're wondering, the 'young' part is defined very loosely) to get together and exchange business cards, talk about ideas, look for jobs, etc.

From the website, the mission is stated as being twofold:

• First - to position Greater Lowell as an alluring career destination-alternative to Boston or Rt. 128; targeting not only area natives, but also showcasing Lowell to potential new business leaders from outside the region.

• Second – to provide a networking forum for existing young people working in Greater Lowell in the areas of business, education, non-profits as well as government.

I've done the last two YPGL events -- a Devils game back in February and the Trivia Night at Major's last Thursday and had a great time at each. I thought the Trivia Night was great because it's a ow-cost event ($10 registration), it's right downtown, and it doesn't require much effort other than showing up.

The next event they're doing is a Boston Harbor Cruise on the Thursday before Memorial Day. I've heard great things about it, but at $68.50 x 2 tickets, the logistical effort of getting to and from Boston, and the effort to get into something other than my summer *uniform* of flip-flops, cargo shorts, and t-shirt, I'll probably pass.

The good news, however, is that most of the roughly once-a-month events are low-key and close to home.

If you're interested in this type of stuff, the group's website is: www.ypgl.org.