ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
Networking, skills-sharing and professional development was at the top of the agenda for the young professionals who met at an annual event at Stamford Plaza organised by the Auckland Young Professionals.
AYP was founded in 2012 by Navtej Randhawa, Sid Sharma, Sid Bhandari, Gawan Bakshi, Dev Dhingra and Sonu Luthera, all young professionals themselves, to respond to a changing world that is powered by the ambitious and motivated. Through a series of business and social events, like the one held recently, AYP hopes to foster a sense of enterprise, innovation and connect like-minded professionals.
The turnout has been improving year on year with almost 150 young professionals attending the annual event this year. The speed networking segment was fun, fast and useful.
The gathering had a mix of professionals from diverse industries and there was plenty of time for taking mutually beneficial conversations forward over the later part of the evening. Experienced speakers shared tips to succeed.
“Staying clear focused and not giving up is most important if you want to become successful as a professional,” said Dr. Pawan Kalra, an Auckland based dentist. Dr. Kalra spoke about his journey from first migrating to New Zealand in 1995 and re-qualifying in a new country to setting up the Lumino Dental Group, a thriving practice.
Similarly, Sarvajith D.R. founder of Krew, a web-based recruitment start-up where employers find you, shared his mantra for success. “It is better to have 50 per cent of a successful venture, rather than a 100 per cent of a failed one,” he said, a tip that potentially could mean the difference between success and failure.
“By coordinating networking events we not only want to foster professional relationship building and celebrate our achievements but also provide a platform to empower young professionals to become better leaders to enhance the communities in which we work and live,” said Sid Bhandari. “Our members are undeniably our greatest resource.” The core committee is also looking to involve more women from next year onwards.
Networking, skills-sharing and professional development was at the top of the agenda for the young professionals who met at an annual event at Stamford Plaza organised by the Auckland Young Professionals. AYP was founded in 2012 by Navtej Randhawa, Sid Sharma, Sid Bhandari, Gawan Bakshi, Dev...
Networking, skills-sharing and professional development was at the top of the agenda for the young professionals who met at an annual event at Stamford Plaza organised by the Auckland Young Professionals.
AYP was founded in 2012 by Navtej Randhawa, Sid Sharma, Sid Bhandari, Gawan Bakshi, Dev Dhingra and Sonu Luthera, all young professionals themselves, to respond to a changing world that is powered by the ambitious and motivated. Through a series of business and social events, like the one held recently, AYP hopes to foster a sense of enterprise, innovation and connect like-minded professionals.
The turnout has been improving year on year with almost 150 young professionals attending the annual event this year. The speed networking segment was fun, fast and useful.
The gathering had a mix of professionals from diverse industries and there was plenty of time for taking mutually beneficial conversations forward over the later part of the evening. Experienced speakers shared tips to succeed.
“Staying clear focused and not giving up is most important if you want to become successful as a professional,” said Dr. Pawan Kalra, an Auckland based dentist. Dr. Kalra spoke about his journey from first migrating to New Zealand in 1995 and re-qualifying in a new country to setting up the Lumino Dental Group, a thriving practice.
Similarly, Sarvajith D.R. founder of Krew, a web-based recruitment start-up where employers find you, shared his mantra for success. “It is better to have 50 per cent of a successful venture, rather than a 100 per cent of a failed one,” he said, a tip that potentially could mean the difference between success and failure.
“By coordinating networking events we not only want to foster professional relationship building and celebrate our achievements but also provide a platform to empower young professionals to become better leaders to enhance the communities in which we work and live,” said Sid Bhandari. “Our members are undeniably our greatest resource.” The core committee is also looking to involve more women from next year onwards.
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