This Friday night, St. Petersburg Young Professionals is hosting its biggest party of the year. The end-of-year celebration, open to members and non-members alike, will be an all-night celebration of food and drink, complete with live music from a five-piece band and live glass blowing demonstrations.

The annual SPYP party is being hosted at the celebrated Duncan McClellan Gallery in the Warehouse Arts District on Friday, November 4 from 6-9 pm. Tickets are available now for the evening at the glass blowing gallery, which include one free drink from the bar.

As part of the festivities, the live glass blowing demonstration will be followed by a raffle for the piece created by the gallery professional. As SPYP explains it, this isn’t a typical networking event. There are no name tags or business cards – just food, drink and fun with fellow young professionals. The evening acts as a celebration of the organization, and an opportunity for interested area residents to get involved.

SPYP is a force for good, and for making new connections

St. Petersburg Young Professionals hosts frequent events throughout the year, with a mix of community service opportunities, happy hours, interactive excursions, and networking meet-ups at area restaurants, bars, museums and more. The organization, which helps young professionals connect with each other and city leaders, operates on three basic pillars, as outlined by SPYP President John Harrison.

First, SPYP has a commitment to local advocacy. They work with city leaders on issues that most directly affect young professionals, ranging from items like scooters and the Cross-Bay Ferry service to input provided on the design of the St. Pete Pier.

In a similar vein, community service is a huge chunk of the SPYP ethos. Every month they organize at least one community service event for local non-profits and organizations. All told, SPYP has been responsible for thousands of man hours of community service in recent years.

And of course, one of the big draws for members is the opportunity to meet new people in the city. ‘Connect’ is a monthly meet-up that takes place at different venues around town and serves as an opportunity for both personal and professional networking, giving young professionals a common ground to meet their peers and make new friends and connections.

Those interested in joining SPYP can do so here, and for those with an eye toward diving in even more, anyone interested in becoming an SPYP board member can email incoming Chairperson Jess Duxstad at jhduxstad(at)gmail.com.

“I think it’s the premier young professional organization in al of Tampa Bay,” Harrison said. “Our organization gives access to different community leaders and businesses that you won’t find anywhere else.”