Business News and Politics

Come meet people and play new board games with the international members of the BFG Whatsapp group! [Link to join the chat is here](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JThEZv724MJ3hvnwBpfJA7). We’ll reserve a few tables at Vault 51 and then play games in smaller groups throughout the evening. **Note:** *Vault 51 requires that you pay a 600 Ft table fee per person at the bar.* Feel free to bring games you want to play or play something from the bar’s collection. Hot food and snacks are available from the bar until about 10pm Spots for this event are limited to not go too far over our table reservation, so please change your RSVP if you are not able to attend, also if you are on the waitlist, please wait to be in the "going" before attending! Also everyone can bring 1 guest only. Don't bring more, we wont have enough seats! Thanks you!

**Kedves Meetup Tagunk!** **Február 18-án, szerdán este** – az Art and Antique vásár előtti utolsó CCA alkalommal – kipakolunk mindent az asztalra. Nem lesz benne filozofálás, pláne nem lesz benne műkritika. **Csak tiszta válaszok azokra a kérdésekre, amik miatt eddig nem merted megvenni azt a képet, amire vágytál - mielőtt megveszi más.** ### Mit fogsz megtudni? * Mi a kortárs, mitől lesz valami műtárgy, és **mitől lesz jó befektetés?** * Mit, kit, hogyan, hol és **miért érdemes vásárolni?** * Mitől lesz híres egy művész – és mitől **nem?** * Hogy történik a műtárgyak árazása, és **mi mozgatja az árfolyamokat?** * **Befolyásolhatod-e** egy kortárs műtárgy árát – és ha igen, hogyan? * Melyek a **leggyakrabban elkövetett hibák** a műtárgyvásárlások során? * Mibe érdemes elsődlegesen fókuszálni, hogy **megtehesd az első lépéseket?** * Hogyan lehetsz e téren a lehető **leggyorsabban tájékozott és profi?** **📅 Dátum: 2026. február 18., szerda** **🕕 Időpont:** 18:00–20:00 (érkezés: 17:30-tól) **📍 Helyszín:** TAW (Tokaj Art Wine) Galéria, 1054 Budapest, Hold u. 21., I. em. ### Előadó: Gajzágó György (CCA) ### Vendég: Dr.Kacsuk Péter kortárs műgyűjtő **💰 Részvételi díj:** 15 000 Ft - [online rendezhető!](https://tokaj-art-wine-galeria.reservio.com/events/8d7b204a-900f-4753-b4f4-6215fc11df7f) **🎁 Ajándéksorsolás:** 1 értékes szakkönyv + 1 minőségi tokaji bor ### 😊 Miért érdemes részt venned? ✓ Praktikus, intenzív, trendi tudás ✓ Art&Business és Art&Finance szempontok ✓ Networking, igényes közösséggel ✓ Exkluzív élményprogram *(művészet + prémium borok)* **[>>JEGYVÁSÁRLÁS](https://tokaj-art-wine-galeria.reservio.com/events/8d7b204a-900f-4753-b4f4-6215fc11df7f)** \- foglald le a helyed\! **Kérdésed van? Tedd fel!** 📧 [gyorgy.gajzago@artcenter.hu](mailto:gyorgy.gajzago@artcenter.hu) 📞 (30) 944 6633 Szeretettel várunk a rendezvényünkön! **A CCA és a TAW Galéria csapata**

Szeretnél kötetlenül beszélgetni a mesterséges intelligenciáról, promptolásról és arról, hogyan lehet a legtöbbet kihozni az AI-eszközökből? Csatlakozz hozzánk egy baráti kocsmázásra, ahol nem előadás, hanem beszélgetés lesz a középpontban. Akár kezdő vagy, aki most ismerkedik a ChatGPT-vel és társaival, akár már napi szinten dolgozol AI-megoldásokkal, itt helyed van. **Mire számíthatsz:** * Kötetlen beszélgetés sör, bor vagy üdítő mellett * Tapasztalatcsere promptolási tippekről és AI-hackekről * Új ismeretségek hasonló érdeklődésű emberekkel * Barátságos, nyitott közeg – nincs buta kérdés **Időpont:** Minden hónap harmadik szerdája **Helyszín:** [Esetleg, Budapest] **Részvétel:** Ingyenes, de kérlek jelezd részvételi szándékod, hogy tudjuk, hány főre foglaljunk!

Digital products are evolving from “screens” to intelligent partners—services that notice context, anticipate intent, and adapt in real time. That shift is exciting… and risky. How do we design experiences that feel helpful without becoming creepy, confusing, or out of control? Join us at Product Design Talks by Ergomania for: Beyond UX: How Digital Products Become Intelligent Partners **📍 Rudas Bistro, 1013 Budapest, Döbrentei tér 9.** **📅 18 February 2026 \| 🕔 17:00** ⏱ Practical, inspiring knowledge in 2 hours We’ll unpack **Sentient Design** (popularised by Josh Clark): moving beyond rigid self-service flows toward **products** that **respond** **dynamically** to **real-life situations. Think: your banking app surfaces the right action the moment you land in Tokyo** \- currency exchange\, nearby ATMs\, relevant insights\, without you hunting for them\. Programme: **17:00 Welcome reception** **17:20 Talk: When Banking Apps Stop Being Static and Start Noticing Context — [Adam Dragus](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdragus/)** **17:45 Panel: [Dr Andras Rung - UX Strategist](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drandrasrung/), [Adam Gyökhegyi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgy/), [Adam Dragus](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdragus/), [Gábor Lukács](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbr-lukacs/)** **18:45 Networking** In the panel we’ll compare approaches teams use today, **discuss when anticipation helps vs. hurts, and how to balance adaptability with clarity**, **trust**, and **user** **control**, especially in regulated products. Bring your questions—there’ll be time for discussion, and you’ll meet like-minded peers over drinks. 🎟 Seats are limited. Register here: [https://productdesigntalks.ergomania.eu/en/events/beyond-ux-how-digital-products-become-intelligent-partners/](https://productdesigntalks.ergomania.eu/en/events/beyond-ux-how-digital-products-become-intelligent-partners/)

Join us for a fun evening of beer tasting and networking with fellow Budapest ex-pats at our next meetup event! Whether you're new in town or a long-time resident, this is the perfect opportunity to connect. Our event will feature a variety of local and international brews for you to sample and discuss, while enjoying great conversations. Don't miss out on the chance to make new friends and discover new favorite beers at Beer People at Lázár utca 7. Come raise a glass with us at the Ex-Pat & English Language Meetup!

Ez nem előadás, nem panelbeszélgetés és nem agilis best practice-ekről szól. Ez egy kötetlen este, ahol **minden résztvevő hoz egy elcseszett helyzetet – és egy tanulást belőle**. Nincs cégnév, nincs hibáztatás, nincs okoskodás. Csak őszinte történetek, közös nevetés és az a megnyugtató felismerés, hogy nem vagyunk egyedül ezekkel a dilemmákkal. És sör. *Helyszín:* A Grund - Bazsesz terem (az emeleten a csocsó asztal után jobbra) *Időtartam:* 17:30-tól kifulladásig

Haladó argentin tangó óra heti rendszerességgel januártól! Várunk szeretettel! **Időpont**: Szerda, 20:15 - 21:30 (első alkalom 2026-ban: **január 6.)** **Helyszín**: Shift Stúdió, Andrássy út 35., 2. em., 12-es kapucsengő **Oktatók** Serbán Andrea és Szeghalmi Endre Órarend: [https://tangolibre.hu/orarend/](https://tangolibre.hu/orarend/) ✦✦✦ Advanced Argentine tango class held on a **weekly basis**. **🕒 Time** Wednesday, 8:15–9:30 PM **📍 Location** Shift Studio, Andrássy út 35., 2nd floor **Teachers** Andrea Serban & Endre Szeghalmi Prices: [https://tangolibre.hu/en/prices/](https://tangolibre.hu/en/prices/)

**We are back. And by popular demand: We are finally doing this on a Friday!** For Event #4, we’re flipping the script. Forget the best practices. This time, we're focusing on **worst practices.** We’ll dissect real business failures through three lenses: legal, psychological, and marketing. Decisions that looked smart on paper, passed approval, and still detonated. We’ll revisit familiar disasters like **Theranos** and **Fyre Festival**, then go deeper into lesser-known, more uncomfortable cases and even scandals including global brand implosions and local examples like **Shrooly**. **This isn’t about laughing at failure.** It’s about understanding how smart teams convince themselves bad ideas are good ones, and learning how to spot the moment everything starts going wrong. **The Agenda & What You'll Learn** Three angles, one goal: Make sure you don't end up on this list next year. * **17:45:** Arrive, grab a drink (it's Friday!), and connect. * **18:00 – 18:15: How NOT to run your business (legal angle).** We look at the structural red flags that sink ships. From the valuation hallucinations of **WeWork** to the **Honey scam** and local hardware flops like **Shrooly**. We’ll cover how to mismanage cash, ignore the law, and implode your company from the inside out. * **18:15 – 18:30: How NOT to gain customers (marketing angle).** “There’s no such thing as bad publicity” is how this always starts. Then the backlash hits. We’ll break down campaigns that went viral for all the wrong reasons - from **Pepsi and Bumble** to **Bud Light and Apple** \- unpacking how rebrands\, stunts\, and culture\-driven ads cross the line from attention to alienation\, and how brands lose their audience because of some 'viral' ideas\. * **18:30 – 18:35:** **🎁** A super secret surprise * **18:35 – 18:50: How NOT to handle customers (psychological angle).** Users don’t leave when something breaks, instead they leave when something feels off. We’ll explore dark UX patterns, manipulative design, and behavioral shortcuts that quietly cross ethical lines from **friend.com** to platforms that optimized engagement until users turned hostile. This is how loyal users become your loudest critics. * **18:50 – 19:00:** A very special announcement * **19:00 – 20:00:** Genuine networking & conversations with quality food and drinks. * **20:00 onwards:** We are heading to a nearby bar. Since **nobody** has work tomorrow, we expect the conversation to go late. **Who Is This For?** This is for freelancers, digital nomads, and founders in Budapest who want to disaster-proof their work. Join a community of curious, open-minded people for an honest conversation. No corporate fluff, just genuine connections. If you want actionable takeaways on what *not* to do, this is for you. **Location** We'll be hosting at the fantastic **KLUSTER Coworking** space. **The Legal Bit** Our imaginary lawyers (who are currently panicking about this event topic) wanted us to mention that we'll be taking some photos. By attending, you consent to this. Thanks for reading, see you on **the 20th**! Bence & Marguerite & Nándi

**Looking to connect with other business-minded people in Budapest?** Join us for a laid-back evening at **Beer People**, a craft beer bar owned and run by digital nomads who turned their Budapest dream into a local business. It is the perfect spot to share stories over a drink, whether that is one of their many craft beers, a cider, a spirit, a glass of wine, or something nonalcoholic. There is no formal agenda, just good vibes, real conversations, and a few tables reserved for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives who understand the ups and downs of building your own path. We look forward to meeting you.

“*Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.*” ― John Locke, Second Treatise of Government *“There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. (Cambridge University Press (September 29, 1989)”* ― Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws *“The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.”* ― John Stuart Mill, On Liberty ## The Birth of Liberalism Liberalism emerges as a response to **absolute power**, religious conflict, and arbitrary authority. In this session, we explore the foundations of liberal democracies through three key thinkers, each addressing a different dimension of political power: **legitimacy, institutions, and liberty**. ## Core Thinkers ### **John Locke** * Natural rights: life, liberty, property * Government by consent * Political power as conditional * Right to resist illegitimate authority ### **Montesquieu** * Separation of powers * Liberty as protection from arbitrary rule * Checks and balances * Institutional restraint ### **John Stuart Mill** * Individual liberty * Harm principle * Freedom of speech * Tyranny of the majority **Introduction (15 minutes)** We start with a short introduction of the guests. **Questions to discuss: (1 hour and 45 minutes)** **Locke related:** * If rights are “natural,” who decides today when they conflict? * Does property still legitimize political power in a world of inherited wealth and financial abstraction? * Would Locke recognize modern taxation, surveillance, or emergency powers as legitimate? * Do we still believe in a real “right to resistance,” or only in theory? **Montesquieu related:** * Are separation of powers and checks still effective in today's estates? * What is the difference between institutions and bureaucracies? * Can power shift from institutions, to bureaucracies, to algorithms? * How can liberal institutions survive permanent states of exception (crises, wars, pandemics)? * Is slow decision-making a safeguard or a liability in the 21st century? * Where does power concentrate today despite formal separation? **John Stuart Mill related:** * Is social pressure more coercive today than the state itself? * How does “harm” according to Stuart Mill fit in an age of social media outrage? * Can free speech survive when offense is treated as violence? * Are we still willing to defend individuality or is moral conformity more important? * Would Mill see oppression in our democratic times? **General critical questions:** * Is modern liberalism still about limiting power, or mainly about managing society? * Can liberal democracies survive when large parts of the population no longer believe institutions are neutral? * Is today’s crisis of liberalism a moral failure, an economic one, or an institutional one? * Can liberal democracy exist outside Western historical conditions? * Can liberalism tolerate movements that openly oppose it? * Is liberalism too slow for the speed of modern politics and technology? **Critical questions from the right:** * Why do populist movements reject liberalism? * If liberalism weakens borders and traditions, can it still demand loyalty? * Has liberalism underestimated the political force of identity, culture, and belonging? * Can liberal democracy defend itself without becoming illiberal? * Is liberalism an external cultural imposition? **Critical questions from the left:** * When equality conflicts with liberty, which does liberalism choose? * Should equality come from public institutions or activist movements? * Is economic inequality undermining liberal legitimacy? * Can liberal values be separated from US influence and power? * Are anti-Western movements rejecting liberalism, or Western hypocrisy? **RSVP:** Please confirm your attendance here on Meetup to save your space and if you cannot assist, yield your space to another person in the waiting list. Open to donations from 400 HUF to keep the costs of the meetup (cash or Revolut)

Ready for an intentional Sunday morning to anchor your week? **Women's Coffee Network** is a female networking community with the mission to create a *soft landing* for local and expat professionals. We believe that in a world of digital noise and "mass networking," we all need a steady anchor, a place where we can skip the small talk and build genuine, meaningful relationships that fuel our collective growth. Whether you are a corporate professional, a creative freelancer or currently navigating a career transition, you have a seat at our table. **Why join the Connection Circle?** Moving beyond standard networking, this is a thoughtfully designed experience. As your facilitator, my goal is to ensure every woman in the circle is introduced and heard, so you leave the morning with full batteries and a fresh network of professional bridges in the city. **WHAT TO EXPECT** * **Intimate Connection:** We keep our groups small to ensure high-quality, focused conversation. * **Meaningful Dialogue:** A space to share insights on career, balance and growth without the pressure of an elevator pitch. * **Curated Atmosphere:** We meet at Budapest's most charming hidden gems—places with soul that provide the perfect backdrop for deep talk. * **Included Perk:** Your ticket includes your **first coffee or tea**. Simply arrive, settle in and start connecting. **THE DETAILS** **When:** Sunday\, February 22nd\, 2026 \| 10:00 AM \(CET\) **Where:** A hand-picked secret cozy location (to be revealed to ticket holders 3 days before the event). **Support Fee:** Your ticket includes your first coffee or tea. This contribution supports the design of our materials, the organization of the community, and helps us ensure an intimate, high-quality experience for everyone. Seats are limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere. If you feel called to start your year with connection, we can’t wait to welcome you! 👉 To secure your spot, please **[grab your ticket here.](https://luma.com/0km88ch9)** \-\-\- **🛡️ Our Private Circle** To maintain a safe and transparent environment for our members, this is a dedicated space for women and those identifying as female. We kindly require all participants to have a full name and a clear face photo on their profile. Requests that do not meet these criteria will be declined to ensure our members' privacy and comfort.

**A 2026-os meetup évadot egy AI SEO workshoppal indítjuk: valós projekten, lépésről lépésre vesszük végig az AI Search és SEO folyamatát, gyakorlati, kevésbé ismert tippekkel. Előadó: Papp Gábor (The Pitch).** **Program:** * 17:45 – 18:00: érkezés * 18:05 – 19:30: AI SEO workshop * 19:30 – 19:45: Q&A * 20:00-ig esemény zárás, kötetlen beszélgetés **Regisztráció:** Az eseményen való részvétel ingyenes, de a létszámkorlát miatt regisztrációhoz kötött. Regisztrálni a Meetup felületén tudsz. Az eseményre csak akkor tudjuk biztosítani a belépésed, ha ezt legkésőbb az eseményt megelőző napon éjfélig megteszed. **Egyéb információk:** A terem befogadóképessége 50 fő. Aki RSVP-zik, de nem tud jönni, az legkésőbb 24 órával a meetup kezdése előtt mondja le a részvételi szándékát. Mások elől ne vegyük el a helyet! A meetupot követően az előadások slide-jait mindig a Meetup rendszerén keresztül küldjük ki, így automatikusan megkapja az, aki valóban ott is volt az eseményen. Ez akkor működik, ha nem iratkozol le a hírlevelekről (Meetup szolgálati közlemények). A workshopról és az élő kódolásról nem készül felvétel és nem kerül streamelésre sem. Köszönjük!

Mit csinál egy IT vállalatnál egy energetikai mérnök és építész-, építő-, villamosmérnökökből álló csapat? Többek között energetikai, út- és vasútépítési projekteket valósít meg innovatív, digitalizációra épülő megoldásokkal. Gyertek el az Accenture ICP csapatának második Meetupjára, melynek fő témája a németországi infrastruktúra- és nagyberuházási projektek lesznek. 📅 **Dátum:** 2026\. február 19\.\, csütörtök\, 18:00 📍 **Helyszín:** Accenture, 1095 Budapest, Lechner Ödön fasor 10/B ✏️ **Regisztráció:** http://bit.ly/4r28Blw 📋 **Program:** 17:30: Érkezés, regisztráció 18:00: Előadások: 🎤 Infrastructure & Capital Projects Insights *(presentation in English)* 🎤 Távközlési állomások költöztetése 🎤 Digitális ütemezés a vasúti infrastruktúrafejlesztésben 🎤 Hogyan támogatja a térinformatika az építőipari és energetikai nagyberuházásokat? 19:00: Networking

Join us for a fun and creative workshop where we’ll explore the vibrant combination of oil pastels and watercolor to create stunning floral paintings! 🌸🎨 In this 1.5-hour session, you’ll learn how to blend these two mediums to create expressive textures and lively compositions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop will offer a relaxing and inspiring space to experiment with color and form. You will go home with your very own art creation, ready to be framed and displayed! **💰 Price: 5500 Ft** All materials are provided—just bring your creativity! 🌿✨

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

Have a small business? Ever wish you could just ask some questions around how to grow your business, get more customers or just know what the freak you are doing with sales? Now is your chance!! Every month we are hosting the "Ask an Expert" at the Columbus Metro Library, Main campus. I will be there to answer your Sales related questions. Drop-in for sales coaching designed to help small business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals sharpen their sales approach. Whether you have questions on how to refine your pitch, are looking to close deals more quickly, or are working on building better client relationships, Smashing Your Sales Goals Coaches are here to help. Drop-in to get expert insights, actionable strategies and real-time solutions to grow your business and generate higher profits. Drop-In Sales Coaching is FREE + OPEN to the public. No appointment needed. First come, first served. EPIC Learning created. Accelerate Columbus supported.

Come and grow your business by meeting these other business professionals. We can help you expand your customers.

Thursdays just got smarter (and sassier). 🧠🍻 Join us at TownHall Short North for Trivia Night with Marquis—where the questions are fun, the competition is friendly, and the vibes are immaculate. Grab your crew, sip something good, and prove you know random facts you absolutely shouldn’t.

Our next much-awaited **COLUMBUS** meetup is **Tuesday February 24 from 7-10 pm at ACE OF CUPS**. Meet patients, cultivators, processors, dispensary managers/staff, physicians, home growers, educators, activists, nonprofits, artists, attorneys, business owners, writers, students, and supporters to network, share our knowledge, collaborate, support each other and make new friends! WE HOPE TO BE COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO OVERTURN SB56. BRING YOUR FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO JOIN US AND SIGN! Hope you will be there too! Save the date and pass the word. **Please RSVP** so we know who is coming and how many to expect. Find us to say hi and we will introduce you to others. We should be easy to spot. (The happy-looking group wearing cool nametags! See photos from our past events.) Sign in, grab a name tag, start your own bar/food tab, meet old friends and make new ones! Everyone is welcome. SEE YOU THERE!