Perhaps a YPO could help scare up an IPO (or two) and seed the region for a fresh crop of business leaders.

A new young professionals organization emerged into public view Wednesday at a gathering in downtown Roanoke. Earnest discussion about the need to attract and retain the implied demographic for the "innovation economy" accompanied the formal launch of newvaConnects.

As described by co-founder Nicole Hall, 31, newvaConnects' mission is many-faceted -- despite its name sounding vaguely like a dating service. One goal will be to educate business and government leaders about the cultural, social and recreational amenities and professional opportunities attractive to people in their 20s and 30s.

Which does not mean beer won't be involved on occasion.

"I think it's important to include a social aspect, but we don't want it [newvaConnects] to be solely social," Hall said. "We're not trying to compete with existing social organizations already in existence."

Hall said research suggests many cities are struggling to attract young professionals during an era of baby-boomer retirements and an economy increasingly tied to innovation.

"We want the region to remain a great place to retire and raise a family, but there needs to be a younger generation to take the jobs left by retiring baby boomers, to create new businesses and business growth," she said.

The innovation economy relies heavily on young professionals, she said. They are the same people who can become entrepreneurs and build wealth and companies that might someday offer enough promise to investors to brave an "initial public offering" of stock, she added.

U.S. Census data from 2000 reveal that the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area has not yet become a magnet for young professionals. For the 25-to-34 age group, the Roanoke MSA ranks 207th out of 280 MSAs nationwide when the members of this demographic are calculated as a percentage of the total population.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce spawned the idea of creating a regional YPO -- a step taken in many other communities, including Lynchburg, competing to attract and retain young workers. Beth Doughty, chamber president, said her organization worked with Hall, who is a project director for an architectural firm in Roanoke, Stuart Mease, a special projects coordinator for the city of Roanoke, John Griessmayer, vice president and creative director for Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, and other young professionals to get the group off the ground.

Doughty said members of the chamber have consistently described concerns about the need to recruit and retain more young people to the region.

Hall said the group chose the name newvaConnects to support the NewVa regional brand and to demonstrate that the organization is not geared only to young professionals in the Roanoke Valley. The NewVa region includes the Roanoke Valley, the New River Valley, the Alleghany Highlands and Franklin County.

So far, about 90 people have expressed interest in participating in newvaConnects. The organization's first event will be a mixer scheduled for June 15 at 5:35 p.m. at Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill in downtown Roanoke. Hall said the Web site www.ypcommons.org helped guide the group's formation. The site reports that most YPOs loosely interpret the term "professional" and strive to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham attended Wednesday's press conference and expressed support for the fledgling newvaConnects.

"I decided I'm too old to go to the mixer but young enough to come to the press conference," Burcham said.

She said the city and region need young workers and that consideration must be given to the kinds of amenities and professional opportunities that help attract them to Roanoke and keep them here. A recent "quality of life" study completed by Roanoke College President Sabine O'Hara and an economics colleague determined that the Roanoke Valley lacks certain amenities that might appeal to young workers. Related findings suggested the region needs more bars of a certain type, a better music scene and more diverse restaurant offerings.

Bob Lawson, president and chief executive officer of SunTrust Bank of Western Virginia, also expressed support Wednesday for newvaConnects. He said he can see the potential for the region's growth but also the perils that could constrain the region's economy. A YPO could help regional businesses introduce new employees to their peers and also position the community as being open and friendly to young talent, he said.

"I would challenge other businesses to lend their support," Lawson said.

For more information about newvaConnects, call 983-0700, ext. 231.