Young Professionals of Dubuque began with approximately 60 members in the spring of 2006 and has grown to over 1400 members. The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce discovered that Dubuque-area young professionals were looking for an organization that would do things differently. Young professionals were asking for a group that addressed their needs with a dash of creativity and a focus on professional development, networking, and community involvement. Those needs coincided with the Chamber's desire to acquaint the area's young professionals with each other; knowing that relationship is a powerful retention tool. YPD has evolved to a dynamic group that the Dubuque Chamber and community as a whole look to as up-and-coming leaders in Tri-State area.