Buffalo’s Old Home Week is a more elaborate version of Roanoke’s Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair held in late December in each of the last two years. The purpose of both events are to re-connect native sons and daughters to the region by identifying job opportunities and new lifestyle amenities.

Buffalo had a fantastic spokesperson for their event in the above video - the late Tim Russert. Roanoke needs a similar spokesperson for its modest event. Who shall that celebrity be? NBC news and former New York Giant and Roanoke native Tiki Barber? Oprah Big Give contestant Cameron Johnson? Who is the most famous Roanoker who can be the posterchild of our campaign to attract and retain young adults?

Buffalo which has come up with some pretty creative events in the past to recruit and retain young adults, such as Old Home Week, has integrated the YP movement into their new strategy. Our own Roanoke Valley Economic Partnership is also changing its focus to better attract and retain young professionals. Kudos to both for being proactive in doing this…