Published on Saturday 26 November 2011 09:00 in Sheffield Telegraph

THE country's future business leaders will be in Sheffield this weekend.

Two hundred young business professionals are attending the national convention of the Junior Chamber International, which starts tomorrow (Friday) at the Royal Victoria Holiday Inn.

A gala dinner and national awards ceremony will take place at Kelham Island Museum as part of the event.

JCI specialises in the personal development of young business people and professionals in their twenties and thirties by providing networking opportunities, training and social events.

Groups based in Sheffield, Barnsley Bradford, Doncaster and Leeds joined forces to bring the national convention to Yorkshire, presenting their bid to the national JCI board.

Kate Senter, president of JCI Sheffield, said: "Bringing this event to Sheffield is all thanks to the Yorkshire business community working together for the same cause.

"The three JCI Chambers have been working collaboratively as JCI Yorkshire, meaning that together, we can host a bigger a better event and deliver a fantastic annual convention."

The convention programme includes presentations, workshops and training that aids leadership and development of young business professionals.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said the convention "provides Sheffield and Yorkshire with a great opportunity to show people from across the UK how amazing it is here, and we look forward to welcoming them back for their holidays and short breaks".