By Thomas M. Murdock:
Buffalo Niagara 360 is excited to announce its 4th Annual Kickoff Celebration will take place on Tuesday, November 15th from 5:30 until 8:30 at the Larkin Center of Commerce at 701 Seneca Street in Buffalo. The Larkin Center of Commerce is undergoing a large-scale transformation and has recently been profiled on Buffalo Rising.
BN 360, the region's premier provider of professional leadership training, business networking, and community involvement opportunities was originally conceptualized to assist young professionals who actively choose to build their careers throughout the Buffalo Niagara region. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership launched the program in response to feedback from local employers who indicated that it was difficult to attract and retain younger talent to the area. Since that time, BN360 has played host to dozens of professional programming and events for young professionals, including numerous leadership programs, business networking opportunities and professional development seminars that have serviced over 2,000 young professionals. This year the 360 program calendar will feature two new additions, the Government Unplugged series which gives young professionals access to the region's young elected officials and the Game Changers series which will feature a sampling of the area's young and dynamic entrepreneurs. The BN360 program was launched in 2008 with a celebration at the Electric Tower, with additional annual celebrations being held at Shanghai Red's and the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery.
Now entering into its fourth year, BN360 is excited to once again utilize a building that is undergoing a significant transformation. "In 2008, we held the launch party event in the Electric Tower, which was still in the process of its renovations," said Christina Lopez, workforce development manager at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. "We like supporting buildings that are finding new life and the entrepreneurs that are making it happen. We're thrilled to be able to showcase our program at this location and that this will be the first opportunity for so many young people to see this building for the first time."
The largest of all of the Larkinville buildings, the Larkin Center of Commerce was completed in 1906 to provide manufacturing, retail and administrative support services for the Larkin Company. The complex has over 30 acres under roof and is comprised of eight contiguous buildings. Seneca Larkin Holdings, LLC was formed in October 2010 by partners Peter Krog, Gordon Reger and James Cornell to acquire and renovate the building. Interior and exterior work, in addition to nearby infrastructure improvements, are bringing the building to class-A office status.
This year's event will include food tastings provided by local restaurants and caterers, a cash bar, numerous door prizes, a rollout of BN360's 2011Spotlight Professionals and more!
This event is free to BN360 members, and newcomers are encouraged to join. Email for more information, or register online at http://www.thepartnership.org/HomeLinks/events
so much happening all over the city it's just amazing what is transpiring in rebuilding and renovation and leading to appreciative value on properties; I just hope the next foray will be into the east side where bountiful cheap land and some possible rehabs exist at still affordable prices; and this all during a national recession! Buffalo is rising!