Professional Networking

🌱 **Spring is calling… and so is IdentiBeer!** 🍻 We're back! **🌸**New season. 👀New edition. 🎤 New twist 📌 It's happening on 🗓️ **Tuesday, May 26th 6:00 PM** at 📍**Secret Rooftop By Warwick · Brussels** — located in the Warwick Grand-Place Brussels. Expect the usual great vibes with **meaningful conversations** 💬, **drinks** 🥂, and **connections** 🤝. The more, the merrier — and the richer the exchange! **Just turn up**! Don’t miss this spring edition! The IdentiBeer Belgium Chapter

**TechTalk - AI voor jouw KMO: van buzzword naar business case** → **Ferdinand Casier ([Agoria](https://www.agoria.be/nl))** licht het StartAI-traject toe: wat houdt het in, voor wie is het, en hoe schrijf je je in? → **Jonas Douwen van [Orakel Group](https://orakel.com/nl-be),** een toonaangevende internationale producent en leverancier van evenement materialen, deelt zijn ervaring met het StartAI-traject → **Ixor** toont aan de hand van een concrete use case welke vervolgstappen mogelijk zijn na het traject **Wat is Start AI?** [StartAI](https://www.ixor.be/start-ai) is een initiatief van het Vlaams Industriepartnerschap, gedragen door Agoria en VLAIO. Je krijgt als KMO een individueel begeleidingstraject van 3 dagen met een ervaren AI-expert. Samen identificeer je de meest haalbare AI- en data-opportuniteiten voor jouw bedrijf, en krijg je een concreet actieplan mee. Het traject wordt grotendeels gesubsidieerd door de Vlaamse overheid. ‍ **Wat neem je mee naar huis?** → Een helder beeld van wat AI concreet voor jouw KMO kan betekenen → Inzicht in het StartAI-traject en hoe je je kandidaat stelt → Een eerlijk verhaal van een KMO die het traject doorliep → Concrete handvaten om morgen mee aan de slag te gaan **Datum** Dinsdag 26/05/26 **Locatie** [Ixor, Schuttersvest 75, 2800 Mechelen](https://www.google.com/maps?sca_esv=3d16839f334d68f5&rlz=1C5CHFA_enBE1133BE1133&sxsrf=ANbL-n41HRp_bji2meG1ikVLAPIz93Cunw:1769513461367&kgmid=/g/1pxwt4kls&shem=bdsle,ptotple,shrtsdl&shndl=30&kgs=61800e9c5aeb0c1b&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=be&sa=X&geocode=KcOEjoHS5cNHMa9y5riKRn8U&daddr=Schuttersvest+75,+2800+Mechelen) **Timing** *Welkom vanaf* \- 18:00 *TechTalk* van 18:30 tot 19:30 *Netwerken en vragen* tot 20u30

Are you someone who is local (or a westerner who has lived in the city for a while, understand the local culture and speak the local language) and are confident when meeting new people of different backgrounds and cultures? We’re looking for a lively friendly host to manage some of our weekly Fastfriends meetups in your city. As a host, your role would be to: ✨ Welcome members and make them feel comfortable ✨ Encourage conversations and help people connect \- direct and manage our fastfriending socialising format ✨ Keep the energy positive and the fast friending event flowing smoothly \- manage the event relationship with the venue What is in it for you? \- this is a volunteer role but we give you an expense allowance to cover some of your expenses\. \- ⁠you get exposure to the local and international community and can make a positive contribution \- ⁠you get experience with meeting new people\,running social events and managing groups\. We would love to hear from you. Please write a quick message to Dan at ‪+44 7715705005‬ and let's chat.

Hey Everyone! 👋 **Location:** \- On\-site: INDUSTRIEMUSEUM Minnemeers 10 9000 Gent \- Online: TBA **Practicalities for the evening on Tuesday, May 26th:** \- 18:00: Doors Open\, snacks & drinks \- 19:00: Speaker Talks \- 20:30: Networking & Drinks **Transport:** * **Parking:** Paid parking at Dok Noord * **Arriving by Train:** Minnemeers 10 in Gent is an easy **10 minute walk** from Dampoort Gent Station. **Note:** As this is an invite‑only event, you may be asked to show your calendar invite upon arrival. **Welcome to edition 15 of the Generative AI Belgium Meetup! 🚀** This time, we look at how AI is changing the Way We Work. For a long time, work was built around a simple exchange: time for money. You showed up, spent hours on tasks, and value was measured by effort, output, and expertise. Generative AI is starting to question that model. AI agents are no longer just tools for writing better emails. They are entering workflows, taking over tasks, writing code, coordinating information, and becoming part of how teams operate. Tools like Claude Cowork & Microsoft Copilot are already omnipresent in our daily work and expectations to use them are rising quickly. At the same time, robotics is making the story physical again. Machines are not only thinking with us behind a screen. They are starting to move through factories, labs, hospitals, warehouses, and most importantly homes. This raises a new question: what happens when AI becomes both a colleague in your browser and a body in the room? In this edition, we are inviting: * Startups building the tools, agents, and workflows that make this future happen * Researchers exploring human-machine interfaces and robotics * A broader discussion on what a “union of the future” could look like when work is shared between people, software agents, and machines Let's see what meaningful work, when intelligence becomes abundant. Join us on May 26th! **Line-up:** 🤙 Tom Pluym (Wonderful) — on why cracking enterprise AI demands a new type of engineer 🤖 Ruben Janssens (Ghent University) — on socially interactive robots as the next frontier of human-machine collaboration 🛡️Jarno Goossens (Aikido Security) - on what happens when security becomes the default and software starts securing itself Big thanks to Stad Gent for hosting us and to our sponsors: In The Pocket, BruCON, Red Hat, Collibra, Plainsight & Volta Ventures for supporting the community.

Mansions of Madness is a cooperative game about horror and mystery. The rules are very simple, as it focuses mainly on atmosphere. Join this if you like: co-op games, story and app-driven games, Lovecraft. Location is at a private house in the city center (near St. Catherine) which will be communicated later.

Let's meet to write! Schedule : 18:30 - 18:45: Arrival & introduction tour. Share briefly with the group your project and the "goal of the day". 18:45 - 20:00 : Let's write! 20:00 : Closing tour. Did you achieve the "goal of the day" ? See you soon !

**Welcome to our May UX Beers in Mechelen!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 26th of May at [Buffl](https://buffl.be) in Mechelen. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talk 1: Research Reinvented** [Michiel Willekens](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michiel-willekens/), Productmanager @ BUFFL and [Seppe Stroo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seppe-stroo-843b82128/), Founding partner @ BUFFL In this presentation, BUFFL will demonstrate how rethinking research can drive real business results through a pragmatic case study. You’ll discover how to translate business objectives into the right customer questions and how to act on those insights immediately to accelerate growth and sales. By bringing the live voice of thousands of (potential) customers into the decision-making process, organizations can ask the right questions at the right time and turn insights into measurable business impact: from increased sales and customer loyalty/experience to stronger brand awareness and more effective activation strategies. **Talk 2: Synthetic Personas – real insights or digital illusions?** [Kate Foszcz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-foszcz/?locale=en), AI Product designer @ Ebay Can synthetic personas help us make better business decisions, or are we just interviewing very convincing imaginary friends? In this talk, Kate will explore where synthetic personas can actually bring value, from testing assumptions to speeding up research, and where they can quietly mislead us with biased, overconfident, or poorly grounded answers. Expect a practical look at how to design these systems responsibly, when to trust them, and when to go back to real humans. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:45 - Talk #1 19:45 -20:15 - BREAK 20:15 - 20:45 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

Navigating Loss and Transition: A Reflective Workshop By David Sunderland Brussels, 27 May 2026 Register here: https://www.imaginationclub.org/brussels/navigating_loss_and_transition.php We all experience loss – of roles, relationships, identities, expectations, or direction – yet we rarely pause to reflect on it. This interactive workshop creates a calm, reflective space to explore how loss shapes our lives and decisions, both personally and professionally. Drawing on a simple but powerful format (including candles, silence, and guided questions), participants are invited to share, listen, and reflect at their own pace. The session blends elements of “death cafés” with a broader exploration of transition, helping participants better understand endings – and what they make possible. Participants will: \* Explore different types of loss (personal, professional, existential). \* Reflect on how transitions shape identity, decisions, and growth \* Practice listening and speaking in a structured, non-judgmental space \* Gain language and perspective for navigating change and uncertainty \* Identify insights they can carry into work and everyday life. Conclusion You will leave with a deeper understanding of loss as a source of clarity, connection, and possibility. About David Sunderland David is British and French since 2019. He also has strong Brazilian sympathies after being married to a Brazilian woman for nearly 20 years. A similar period of time working in the United Nations, along with various other voluntary and civil society work, has reinforced his idealism while granting him more pragmatic perspectives around planning, communication and human relations. He founded, and continues to be Chair of, www.plenna.org that encourages better preparation for death and dying, whatever one's age or situation. His personal website, including links to his writing (with details on his forthcoming book, ’The Punctuation of Loss’), is www.intermundia.org. **Practical Information** **When** Wednesday, 27 May 2026 from 18h45-21h00 **Where?** Timesmore Boulevard St Michel 47, 1040 Brussels **How much?** €15 to cover expenses including materials, drinks, snacks, etc. - payable at the door. **Event web page** https://www.imaginationclub.org/brussels/navigating_loss_and_transition.php **Please Share** If you feel your friends, family and/or colleagues may be interested in this workshop, please share it with them. The Imagination Club relies on new participants to cover our operational costs and maintain a diverse, perceptive and intelligent audience (in other words, people like you) for our events. **Might you be interested to give an experimental workshop at the Imagination Club?** Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, you are welcome to try out your workshop ideas at the club. We have dates available for this season.

Making the new Friends after work or in your vacation.

✨ **Meet new people in Brussels in a friendly, relaxed and international atmosphere.** The ambience is relatively quiet, calm and sober for easy-going casual conversation, with no chaos and loud party music in the background! 🍻 Large selection of **drinks and food** available 🌍 **Internationals, expats & locals** welcome 💪 Organized weekly **since early 2025** 🌳 We have a **private outdoor garden** at the back of the brasserie entirely reserved for our Meetup throughout the whole summer! 📱Please **join our WhatsApp community** via the following invite link for receiving all the latest updates regarding this and many other social events in Bruxelles: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 **Over 10,000 members** **overall in our multicultural and diverse Brussels community!** Many of our participants work in EU institutions, NGOs, tech and international organizations. The event was also covered in a recent article from Brussels Times: [https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network) 😀 Our events usually attract **30–40 attendees each week**, with an age average of around 35 years old (the event announcement is relayed across multiple social media, not just on this page). Many participants come with friends or colleagues, so feel free to bring someone along! 👩 Our events usually also attract a **balanced mix of men and women**, and many participants attend solo for the first time. The organizer and host of the event will help introduce you to other participants, in case you don't know anyone else yet when you first arrive at the event. Our events remain a relaxed international social meetup experience focused on friendship, conversation and community — **not a dating event.** 🩷 **Safe, respectful environment, and zero tolerance for any harassment!** The organizer is always present all evening in case of problems. You can also leave any anonymous feedback about the event here under this form: [https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form](https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form) **.** Looking to meet new people and expand your social circle in Brussels, as well as your network of professional contacts? Join us **every Friday evening anytime from 18:30** **and until at least 23h** **at** **the** **“Quartier Leopold”** **brasserie**, in the heart of the famous Place du Luxembourg in front of the European Parliament, for a fun, relaxed night of **drinks, food, spontaneous conversations, and great vibes**! 💛 . 📍 **Location**: “Quartier Leopold” brasserie, Pl. du Luxembourg 9, 1050 Ixelles 📌 **Google Maps**: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8) (don't worry if you see the bar marked as "closed" on Google Maps for the Friday nights, they will always be open for us!) **🌐 Website of the venue**: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en) 📸 **Pictures gallery from previous events:** [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing) . ✨ **Why you’ll love it**: ✅ **Everyone is welcome**, even if you don’t know anyone else yet—expats, locals, newcomers, solo adventurers, or groups! ✅ **Best time for newcomers:** 18:30–19:30, when it’s easier to meet people. ✅ Completely **free to attend**—just grab a drink and join the fun! Please ask the bartenders when you arrive if unsure where to find our meetup group and tables ✅ Possibility to make also useful **professional exchanges and networking** with other participants who work in similar domains, so remember to bring also your business card! ✅ Tons of **indoor and outdoor space available.** ✅ Possibility to have **dinner at the brasserie** during the meetup (until 22h), thanks to its comprehensive selection of dishes available in the menu: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0) ✅ **Want to keep the night going?** After the meetup, we often continue as a group to explore nightlife hotspots in the city center. . 💬 **Stay connected with our Community**: ▶️ Join our **Facebook/Messenger chat** to get updates and easily find the group on arrival:[ ](https://m.me/ch/Abaqvj9lxNT3_xh7/)[https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/](https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/) ▶️ Otherwise, if you prefer to use **WhatsApp**, please join this other group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) ▶️ And don’t forget to join our **EuroMeet Facebook group** for many more social events in Brussels: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet](https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet) ▶️ Finally, we also manage a **professional networking group on LinkedIn** as well, for more easily retrieving each other's LinkedIn profiles and identifying people who also work in similar domains: [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/) . Come alone or bring a friend—either way, you’ll leave with **new friends, great memories, and maybe even some ideas on how to develop further your professional career!** See you this Friday! 🍻✨😀 . 📧 **Got questions or comments?** Reach out to the **organizer Gabriele**: gabriele.mogni@gmail.com . **Our community values respect and inclusiveness**. If you ever feel uncomfortable, the organizer is present all evening to help. . 👉 Please **RSVP on Meetup** if you would like to attend our next event, so that we can plan accordingly. . *** #BrusselsEvents #BrusselsNightlife #BrusselsLife #MeetupBrussels #BrusselsMeetup #ThingsToDoBrussels #VisitBrussels #PlaceLuxembourg #EUdistrict #AfterWorkBrussels #FridayVibes #FridayInBrussels #BrusselsSocial #SocialInBrussels #MeetNewPeople #MakeNewFriends #InternationalBrussels #ExpatsInBrussels #ExpatLifeBrussels #BrusselsExpats #InternationalFriends #GlobalCommunity #BrusselsCommunity #EuroMeet #NetworkingBrussels #YoungProfessionalsBrussels #PartyInBrussels #BrusselsDrinks #BrusselsByNight #FunInBrussels

Improvisation is not just for comedians. It is a practical skill you use whenever life does not follow the script: during a meeting, a job interview, a difficult conversation, a presentation, a Q&A session or an unexpected challenge at work. On **Saturday 30 May**, Atomic Toastmasters invites you to a practical workshop designed to help you **think on your feet, stay calm under pressure and respond with more confidence**. The workshop will be hosted by **Nayara**, an aviation expert who knows from professional experience what it means to adapt quickly, communicate clearly and make decisions when circumstances change. During this two-hour session, you will practise simple and effective techniques to: * respond more naturally when you are put on the spot * structure your thoughts quickly * speak with clarity even when you have little time to prepare * become more comfortable with uncertainty * use improvisation as a communication skill, not as a performance trick This is a hands-on workshop. You will not only listen. You will practise, experiment and learn in a supportive environment. No previous Toastmasters experience is required. Guests, beginners and experienced speakers are all welcome. ## Practical information **Date:** Saturday 30 May **Doors open:** 09:45 **Workshop:** 10:00 – 12:00 **Location:** Shopping Linthout **Address:** Rue Bâtonnier Braffort 2, 1200 Brussels **Public transport:** Close to metro Merode **Parking:** Paid on-site parking available **Price:** 10 € ## Agenda **09:45 – 10:00 \| Arrival and welcome** Participants arrive, check in and meet the group. **10:00 – 10:10 \| Opening** Welcome by Atomic Toastmasters and introduction to the workshop. **10:10 – 10:25 \| Why improvisation matters** A short introduction to improvisation as a practical communication skill, with insights from aviation and real-life situations. **10:25 – 10:55 \| Thinking on your feet** Exercises to practise quick thinking, active listening and spontaneous responses. **10:55 – 11:10 \| Short break** **11:10 – 11:40 \| Speaking under pressure** Practical activities to help you stay calm, structure your message and respond with confidence. **11:40 – 11:55 \| Applying improvisation in daily life** How to use these techniques in meetings, interviews, presentations, conversations and Toastmasters sessions. **11:55 – 12:00 \| Closing** Final takeaways and next steps.

Join us for a full day of collaborative work at HSBXL! This event is open to everyone who enjoys working in a community environment, whether you're advancing on business ventures, freelance projects, or creative endeavors. Bring your laptops, your enthusiasm, and your projects to collaborate, learn, and share in the main room of our spacious hackerspace. During this **8-hour co-working event**, you'll have the opportunity to work on your project, ask for feedback, offer help to others, and if you wish, share your achievements at the end of the day. **Please Note**: While HSBXL has multiple rooms for various purposes, this coworking event is taking place in the main room. It's important to note that online meetings should be avoided during this event to prevent noise disturbance and to maintain a conducive work environment for everyone. \#\#\# What the day will look like: 1\. Introduction and setting up: Find a comfortable spot in the main room\, set up your workspace and grab a Club Mate\, soft drink\, or a coffee to get your day started\. 2\. Work Session: Dive into your project\, seek assistance\, and collaborate with others\. 3\. Sharing Session: Optional\, but encouraged\! Share what you've worked on\, your challenges\, and triumphs\. \#\#\# How to get to HSBXL: HSBXL is located in Brussels. For detailed instructions on how to get to the hackerspace, please visit [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). If you encounter any issues while trying to get in, you can contact us at +32 28804004. Please note that the phone is inside the space. Alternatively, you can also reach out to us in our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). \#\#\# Requirements Please bring your laptop, and if you have, an extension cord. The space has WiFi, but having your own internet backup solution can also be useful. Join us at this **8-hour co-working day** in the main room of HSBXL, and we hope you'll have made progress on your projects, learned something new, and most importantly, enjoyed the power of community collaboration. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or creative, we welcome you to this day of productivity, sharing, and collaboration.

**Vous souhaitez améliorer votre prise de parole en public et développer vos compétences en communication et en leadership ?** ✨ Le **Club des Orateurs**, club officiel de Toastmasters International à **Bruxelles**, vous invite à une soirée d’apprentissage dans une ambiance conviviale et bienveillante. **Prochaine réunion** : **4ème jeudi du mois** **19h15 – 21h30** **Villa François Gay (salle au 1er étage)** **326 Rue François Gay, 1150 Bruxelles** Le bâtiment est situé dans un petit parc. **Pourquoi participer ?** ✔️ **Améliorez votre aisance à l’oral** grâce à des discours préparés et des interventions improvisées. ✔️ **Développez votre leadership** en prenant des rôles lors des réunions. ✔️ **Rejoignez une communauté dynamique** qui vous aidera à progresser à votre rythme. ✔️ **Une expérience immersive** avec des retours bienveillants pour évoluer rapidement. **Déroulement d’une réunion Toastmasters** : Nos réunions incluent des discours préparés, des exercices d’improvisation et des évaluations constructives pour vous aider à progresser. **Qui peut participer ?** Tout le monde est bienvenu, que vous soyez débutant ou expérimenté ! **L’entrée est gratuite pour les invités.** **Intéressé•e ?** Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant sur Meetup et rejoignez-nous pour une soirée enrichissante !

Socializing and Networking 🛜🆕 at PLUX on Thursday. Making new friends and drinking 🚰🎈🎉🚿🌊. Everybody Welocme, locals, expats or new 🆕 in town.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Get ready to connect, collaborate, and grow your community at the ***Smashing Your Sales Goals (SYSG) Spring Meet-N-Greet!*** *Smash Nation*— a vibrant and welcoming community for creative consultants, social innovators, professional service providers, entrepreneur support professionals, and the small business ecosystem builders —invites you to join in welcoming the Spring 2026 Cohort of dedicated business owners ready to take their venture to the next level. Join ***SYSG*** cohort members, trainers, sponsors, and partners for an engaging and interactive networking experience. This isn't just another meet-and-greet; it's a dynamic opportunity to gather, strengthen relationships, and actively brainstorm business development opportunities in a relaxed and supportive environment. Come ready to: * ***Connect*** with key players and potential collaborators in the small business community. * ***Share*** your successes, challenges, and insights with peers. * ***Brainstorm*** innovative strategies for sales and business growth. * ***Discover*** new partnerships and future partners. Let's amplify our collective impact and smash those sales goals together! **Who Should Attend:** Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025 Cohort Members, Spring 2026 Cohort members, Trainers, Facilitators, Program Sponsors, Future Sponsors, Velocity Applicants, and Program Partners. **When**: Tuesday, May 26, 2926 **Where**: Warner Wood Park and Pavilion [4747 Central College Road, Columbus, OH 43081](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Warner+Woods+Park+%26+Pavilion/@40.0999435,-82.8601323,839m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x88385f0025d4381b:0xc15eb51285691f4f!8m2!3d40.1002108!4d-82.8612015!16s%2Fg%2F11wb2pg50g?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwNS4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) **Time**: 4pm-6pm [To Officially Register Go To --> https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/W0CGLL8jvz4EkLNK5jav?notrack=true](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/W0CGLL8jvz4EkLNK5jav?notrack=true) Meet ***Smashing Your Sales Goals*** expert trainers, sales coaches, community supporters and partners. Learn more about upcoming SYSG events, trainings coaching opportunities to help take your business from surviving to thriving today! This event is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC!

Couldn't make Knowledge? Or want to debrief the dancing robots or Autonomous Workforce? Join us for a Knowledge '26 recap, insights sharing, a couple rounds of golf, and fun at Topgolf. As always, drinks and food will be provided. More details to come — mark your calendar, RSVP, and save your spot today!

Free monthly networking for Columbus business owners. Real conversations, real connections, no forced formats. Space is limited. RSVP now. Most owners leave networking events with a stack of business cards and no plan. The best leads quietly slip through the cracks. Networking Night is a monthly meetup for Columbus business owners who want to build real local relationships, not just trade contact info. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no awkward speed-networking. **This month** We are focused on referral relationships. Walk in with a clear idea of who refers people like you. Walk out having met a few owners whose work fits next to yours. **What to expect** Doors open at 6 PM. You get real conversation with other local owners, time to actually connect, and a short marketing lesson woven in. The room is reserved through 7:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants to grow through relationships, not just paid ads. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community. **Not the right fit if** You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM. **Details** * Last Thursday of every month * 6:00 to 7:30 PM * COhatch Easton * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing, including tracking the referral relationships built in rooms like this one. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-marketing-networking-night-tickets-1988510112275)

**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*

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!

[ECDI Pop-Up Market Official Registration Site --> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecdi-pop-up-market-tickets-1986071755083](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecdi-pop-up-market-tickets-1986071755083) Celebrate Small Business Month by shopping local for food, drinks, and handcrafted gifts! Join us for the ECDI Pop‑Up Market, a celebration of local entrepreneurs during Small Business Month. Explore delicious food and drinks, discover handcrafted goods, and shop unique items from small businesses in your community. Whether you’re looking to support local makers, discover new favorites, or pick up a thoughtful gift, this market has something for everyone. **What you’ll find at the market:** * Local food and beverage vendors * Handcrafted goods and unique gifts * A chance to meet and support small business owners in your community * An easy, fun way to discover new local favorites [SCORE Central Ohio](https://www.score.org/ "https://www.score.org/") will also be on site to talk about their small business mentorship program. **Market Vendors:** Baked Goods * Shante Makes Body Care * [Bellas Natural Beauty Products](https://www.facebook.com/Bellasnaturalbeautyprod/ "https://www.facebook.com/Bellasnaturalbeautyprod/") Clothing & Accessories * [The Krafted Kollection](https://www.thekraftedkollection.com/ "https://www.thekraftedkollection.com") * [Loayza Elegant Jewelry](https://www.loayzaelegantjewelry.com/ "https://www.loayzaelegantjewelry.com/") * [Swahili House 254](https://www.swahilihouse254.com/ "https://www.swahilihouse254.com") Food/Beverage * [Aqua Pure Central Ohio](https://aquapurecentralohio.com/ "https://aquapurecentralohio.com") * [Better Beverage](https://betterbevshop.com/ "https://betterbevshop.com") * [Cherays Banana Pudding](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567527322952 "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567527322952") * [Dr. May's Thai Kitchen](https://www.drmaysthaikitchen.com/menu "https://www.drmaysthaikitchen.com/menu") * [Kronchy LLC](https://www.kronchys.com/ "https://www.kronchys.com") * [Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill](https://terra%20mezcal%20mexican%20grill/ "https://Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill") Packaged Food * [Grow to Eat, Eat to Live](https://growtoeattolive.com/ "https://growtoeattolive.com/") * [Underworld Feast](https://underworldfeast.com/ "https://underworldfeast.com/")  Since 2004, ECDI has assisted Ohio’s entrepreneurs through their one-stop-shop business services model, suited to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs, regardless of what business stage they’re in. From providing capital to entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses, to providing focused, business-specific educational opportunities to enhance entrepreneurial skill sets, ECDI works with their clients to meet their specific needs. Whether you merely have a business idea or are opening up your fifth location, we have helped more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to take advantage of the services we provide.