About us
Ever discover a café, restaurant, or event that was so unexpected, in a good way, and wish you had people to talk about it with after?
That’s exactly why the RU Experience Collective exists.
We’re a community of thinkers & visionaries who enjoy discovering places, experiences, and moments that feel real and a little unexpected, while meeting genuine people along the way.
Through Real & Unexpected (RU), we aim to become something like a modern-day “StumbleUpon” for real-life experiences; helping people stumble upon hidden gems, meaningful spaces and connections, and memorable moments they may have never found on their own.
However, we don’t just discover experiences - we talk about them, analyze them, build community around industry trends and insights, and explore where experiences are headed next. So we like to discuss:
- Why did this experience feel good?
- What made people want to stay longer?
- Which trend(s) should this experience adapt to?
- What made this place memorable?
- How are experiences evolving right now?
- What do communities actually want more of?
So when we meet up, we’re not only exploring, we’re also learning and shaping better experiences together.
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SO... WHAT'S A "REAL & UNEXPECTED" EXPERIENCE?
It’s that moment when:
- A café feels instantly comfortable
- A conversation with strangers turns into connection
- You discover a spot you didn’t know you needed
- An experience surprises you in the best way
- You leave somewhere thinking, “I’m glad I came.”
- Wondering whether a new trend or idea would actually work in a space or experience we visit
RU Experience Collective is about creating more of those moments and understanding why they happen.
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WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY DO AT EVENTS?
We explore experiences together and then, we talk about them.
Our signature gatherings, including The Experience Exchange, mix social hangouts with thoughtful conversation. Events often include:
- Café and brunch meetups
- Exploring local restaurants and community spaces
- Chill hangouts with real conversation
- Discussions around experience trends and future shifts in hospitality, lifestyle, and community spaces
- Creator-friendly meetups for storytelling and content creation
- Discovering hidden gems around the city
- Using the RU Experience lens to reflect on spaces we visit
Oh, and we’ll bring in trends & insights from reports and articles about how experiences are evolving and talk about whether we actually see those trends happening in real life.
In many ways, we become a community think tank, sharing honest perspectives that can help businesses and brands better understand the communities they serve.
And don’t worry, every event has a host so you’re never walking into a room alone.
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WHO SHOULD JOIN?
You’ll probably love this group if you:
- Enjoy discovering cafés, restaurants, and new places
- Want to meet people in relaxed social settings
- Like conversations that go beyond small talk
- Are curious about how experiences and communities evolve
- Recently moved or want to expand your circle
- Love food, creative spaces, culture, wellness, and/or travel
- Are a creator, storyteller, photographer, filmmaker, writer, or someone who enjoys capturing experiences
- Want experiences that feel social and impactful
And you don’t need to bring friends (although highly encouraged), many people attend solo and leave knowing more people than when they arrived.
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WHY THIS GROUP EXISTS?
Because life is better when you:
- Explore more
- Meet new people
- Discover places worth returning to
- Understand why experiences matter
- Help shape better spaces and communities
- And have people to experience things with
We’re building a community where experiences feel more human and less transactional, and where conversations help shape what experiences look like in the future.
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FEES & EVENT COSTS
Joining the group is free.
For events, may include a small ticket cost, but everything will always be clear beforehand.
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WHO'S BEHIND THE GROUP?
RU Experience Collective is part of Real & Unexpected (RU) a community-driven brand and podcast focused on discovering and curating meaningful experiences across food, hospitality, lifestyle, entertainment, and travel.
But first and foremost, this group exists to help people meet, connect, explore, learn, and make an impact together. Members help shape what experiences and gatherings look like moving forward.
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FINAL NOTE
If you’ve ever thought:
“I want to get out more.”
“I want to meet new people.”
“I wish I knew more cool places around here.”
“I want conversations that go beyond small talk.”
You’re in the right place.
Come curious. Leave connected.
Upcoming events
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