Young Professionals of Meridian

03/02/2026

🚨 FINAL MONTH TO APPLY! 🚨

High school seniors, this is your chance! We’re offering three $2,000 scholarships to a future leader with big career dreams and a heart for our community.

Deadline: March 31 — don't wait!

Scan the QR code to apply now, or email [email protected] with questions.

02/28/2026

Inspired. Unstoppable. Together.

Last week, Young Professionals of Meridian elevated the standard once again at our Annual Meeting at Weidmann’s — where the first YPM meeting was held nearly two decades ago.

We hosted nearly 50 of Meridian’s brightest young professionals and converged to chart an extraordinary course for 2026 and beyond.

In addition to introducing our new board, we unveiled an updated strategic alignment across our teams: Civic Impact, Culture & Connections, Champion Growth, and the NYE Bash Team. Meridian’s future is being built by the best, and we’re leading the charge.

Thank you to Weidmann's, Crooked Letter, and Threefoot Hotel A Tribute By Marriott for partnering with us to elevate the evening with exceptional raffle prizes, including a complimentary night stay in downtown Meridian!

The future is ours to shape, and we’re just getting started.

02/19/2026

🔥 TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! 🔥

🏆 YPM ANNUAL MEETING 🏆

📍 Weidmann’s - (Upstairs)
📅 TONIGHT – Thursday, Feb. 19
⏰ 6:00 PM

Come celebrate our 2025 wins, hear our vision for 2026 and beyond, enjoy food & drinks, and connect with the best young professionals in Meridian.

🎟️ Pro Tip: Bring a new prospective member and you’re automatically entered to win multiple raffle prizes! Grab a friend and join the momentum!

We’ll see you there!

02/16/2026

Reminder to join us this Thursday for our YPM Annual Meeting and bring a friend!

We can’t wait to see you there!

🏆 YPM ANNUAL MEETING 🏆

📍 Weidmann’s – Felix Room (Upstairs)
📅 Thursday, Feb. 19 | ⏰ 6:00 PM

Don’t miss YPM’s first big event of the year!

Join us for food, drinks, and time to connect as we celebrate our 2025 wins and share an exciting vision for 2026 and beyond.

🎟️ Bring a NEW member and you’ll be entered to win multiple raffle prizes! Grab a friend and be in the room where it happens.

Let’s show up strong, Young Professionals of Meridian — see you there!

Tag who you’re bringing 👇

02/10/2026

Established in 1860, officially turns 166 today. From our railroad roots to the downtown revitalization happening right now, we’re proud to celebrate the history and the future of the place we call home.

02/06/2026

Young Professionals of Meridian proudly reintroduces and advances its prestigious scholarship opportunity: three $2,000 grants to nurture the futures of students in our area.

The YPM Scholarship will be awarded to three exceptional high school seniors — one from Lauderdale County School District, one from Meridian High School and one from the homeschool and private school community.

See additional details below. Scan the QR code and apply by March 31!

02/05/2026

Pet Mayor Registration Is Now Open! (https://app.seemylegacy.com/preview?itemId=59385)

Pet Mayor is a fun, community-driven fundraiser that gives local pets the chance to represent our community while supporting the work of Downtown Meridian.

Pet owners are invited to register their pets as official candidates by submitting a photo, name, and short bio. Once registration closes, the community will be able to view all participating pets and vote for their favorite during the voting period, with each dollar donated counting as one vote.

This event is more than a popularity contest—it is a mission to enhance our downtown. Every nomination and vote acts as a donation toward our future:

90% of proceeds will fund Downtown Meridian Design Projects, including murals, landscaping, and revitalization efforts to keep our heart of the city vibrant.
10% of proceeds will be donated to City of Meridian Animal Control to support the care and rehoming of local animals in need.

Election Timeline
February 5th – February 20th | Nominations & Registration Open: Submit your pet’s photo and their "campaign platform" (Why do they deserve to lead?).

February 25th – March 4th | The Main Election: It’s time to hit the pavement! Friends, family, and neighbors can cast their votes ($1 per vote).

Late March | Official Press Conference: We will host a formal announcement naming the winner and "swearing in" our new Pet Mayor.

The Grand Prize
The winning Pet Mayor will serve an honorary term as the face of Downtown Meridian, appearing at local events and leading the way for community progress. Plus treats

All registration fees directly support local programming and are non-refundable.

02/04/2026

🏆 YPM ANNUAL MEETING 🏆

📍 Weidmann’s – Felix Room (Upstairs)
📅 Thursday, Feb. 19 | ⏰ 6:00 PM

Don’t miss YPM’s first big event of the year!

Join us for food, drinks, and time to connect as we celebrate our 2025 wins and share an exciting vision for 2026 and beyond.

🎟️ Bring a NEW member and you’ll be entered to win multiple raffle prizes! Grab a friend and be in the room where it happens.

Let’s show up strong, Young Professionals of Meridian — see you there!

Tag who you’re bringing 👇

01/10/2026

Mayor Percy Bland,

Thank you for your heartfelt message and for recognizing the spirit of our first New Year’s Eve Bash! This milestone event would not have been possible without the City’s partnership and shared vision.

This community celebration came to life through amazing teamwork, generous partners and the energy of Meridian’s people. Your words capture exactly why we led this effort — to build pride and show our community’s bright future.

We’re deeply grateful for the City’s support and encouragement. Here’s to growing this tradition together in the years ahead!

Sincerely,

Young Professionals of Meridian’s NYE Bash Team

Dear Young Professionals of Meridian,

On behalf of the City of Meridian, Mississippi, thank you for an outstanding New Year’s Eve event and for the leadership it took to bring it to life. What you created was more than a celebration. It was a moment that brought people together, energized our city and downtown, and reminded us of the power of vision, teamwork, and fresh ideas.

Your willingness to step forward, collaborate with partners, and deliver something new speaks volumes about the strength of Meridian’s next generation of leaders. The professionalism, creativity, and care you demonstrated reflect the best of who we are as a city and where we are headed.

Please know how grateful we are for your hard work and commitment. Events like this matter. They build pride, create connection, and help define the character of a city that believes in its future.

The City of Meridian deeply values this event and is committed to standing alongside you as it takes its place on our city’s calendar.

We are inspired by the leadership and vision that made it possible and confident in what it will become in the years ahead.

With sincere appreciation,

Percy Bland
Mayor, City of Meridian