Careers & Connections :: A Charlotte Professional Networking Social

This event is designed for experienced professionals in the Charlotte area to foster high-value connections and informal mentorship opportunities in a relaxed environment.

Target Audience & Invitation:
This event is tailored for experienced professionals with a minimum of 5 years of industry experience. We aim to create a space for meaningful connections, leadership development, and peer networking.

We specifically encourage CXOs, Managers, and Headhunters to join us. This is an excellent opportunity for decision-makers to share insights, find quality talent for their teams, and engage in rewarding mentorship pairings with accomplished professionals.

Dress Code: Business casuals.

Agenda:

• Registration on Arrival.
• 6:30 PM: "Connect the Dots" Networking Snapshots
• Attendees arrive, grab a local brew, and fill out their "Connect the Dots" Networking Snapshot cards (prepared in advance by the organizer).
• Participants then go around sharing their cards at a glance to quickly learn about others' backgrounds and find people with common experiences, industries, and interests.
• The cards will cover:
• Professions/Titles: Doctor, Software Engineer, Solutions Architect, Designer, Nurse, Sales/Marketing, Auditor, Risk/Investment, Product Design, Operations, Artist, Procurement, Headhunter etc.
• Industries/Sectors: Healthcare, Banking, IT, Automobiles, Energy, Tech Security, Investments, Retail, Insurance, Construction, Arts, Food and Beverage etc.
• Specific Highlights: "Has managed a team of 5+ people," "Successfully launched a new tech product," "Is looking for a skill swap," "Is a current mentor or looking for a mentee."
• 7:00 PM: "The Leadership Lens" Open Mic
• A fun, 60-second "golden rule" sharing segment where anyone (especially CXOs/Managers) can quickly offer one key piece of career advice.
• This provides diverse perspectives and highlights key leaders in the room.
• 7:30 PM onwards: Social Networking & Mentorship Mixer
• Continue meeting people and connecting.
• A designated "Mentorship Sign-Up" table is available to facilitate connections for those actively seeking or offering mentorship.

Additional Icebreaking & Engagement Ideas, some of which we shall setup once everyone is present.
To keep the conversation flowing smoothly among experienced professionals:

• "Two Truths and a Lie" (Professional Edition): Encourage attendees to share two true professional accomplishments and one lie to their small groups to guess the fabrication.
• Speed Networking: A structured format similar to speed dating, where participants have brief, one-on-one conversations for a set time before moving on to the next person. This is efficient for meeting many new contacts quickly.
• Colored Markers/Stickers: Use different colored stickers on name tags to indicate interests:
• Green: "Open to mentorship"
• Blue: "Looking for new opportunities/clients"
• Red: "Hiring/Recruiting"
• Yellow: "Just networking with Professionals"