Online Video Marketing

If you’re trying to grow in marketing right now, guessing isn’t a great strategy. This event gives you direct access to how marketing leaders actually think. Join DC Marketing Tech Talks on May 19th in Tysons for a live **CMO Ask Me Anything** — a candid, open conversation with experienced marketing leaders who have built teams, driven revenue, and led at the highest levels. This is your chance to ask: * What skills actually matter right now? * What gets someone promoted vs. passed over? * What does it take to become a CMO today? * How are marketing teams and roles changing? * How do you connect brand to real business growth? Just real answers from people who have done the work. Whether you’re looking to move up, switch roles, or sharpen your edge, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what to focus on next. As always, this event is free and open to the public thanks to our sponsors, SalesIntel. Food, drinks, networking, and a room full of marketers who care about getting better at what they do. Come with questions. Leave with direction.

**Step into a night where connection meets play!** Join us for a unique **Speed Dating Game Night**! A relaxed, fun evening, facilitated by a **[relationship coach](https://lovedandfulfilled.com/)** and designed to help you meet local singles *without the pressure.* **[Buy Your Ticket HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987703066379?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Set inside a *spacious entertainment center* filled with bowling lanes, arcade games, pool tables and more, this isn’t your typical speed dating event — it’s an experience. You’ll enjoy a series of *easy-flowing speed dating rounds with prepared ice-breakers* on each table to spark conversation and chemistry. Then, the night is yours — get your dinner, challenge someone to a game of pool, team up for bowling, or let your playful side loose in the arcade. No awkward moments. No pressure to ask for numbers. *Matches are curated and communicated to you after the event by a host, so you can stay present & have fun.* Whether you find a spark, new friends, or just a night full of fun… this is one evening you won’t forget. Cost: $30 (covers speed dating rounds) Payment Options: **[Buy Your Ticket HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987703066379?aff=oddtdtcreator) (Eventbrite)** Venmo (no fees): @Irena-Polyakova (1469) I am looking forward to seeing you at my event! \~ Irena

For May's game of the month we are playing the French RPG "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33." From the devs: *Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.* It is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox. Play through it and we will discuss it on May 17th! You do not need to play all or even any of the game to attend but please be prepared to be spoiled at the meeting :-) p.s. Here is a link to our discord, pop in to meet folks ahead of the meetup: https://discord.gg/6KqnHxJWsf

**ProductTank NoVA is back!** After a brief hiatus, we are relaunching the chapter with a format that cuts out the fluff and gets straight to the reality of building. Every product feed is flooded with AI hype right now, but what does it actually look like on the ground? Instead of a polished keynote, we are hosting **0 to 1 with AI: Real Product Talks**—a "Show & Tell" featuring 3–4 lightning talks focused on the intersection of AI and product. The framing for the talks is simple: *"Here is what I'm building, and here is what I'm stuck on."* We want to look at the messy, 0-to-1 reality of integrating AI into your workflows and products. *(Want to share what you are working on? Reach out! The bar is low-pressure, just 10–12 minutes to talk about a real AI problem you are trying to solve.)* **Agenda:** * **5:30 PM - 6:00 PM:** Doors open, networking, & name tags * **6:00 PM - 6:10 PM:** Welcome + Chapter Relaunch Intro * **6:10 PM - 7:30 PM:** Lightning Talks (Three 12-min talks + 5 mins Q&A each, with a 5-min stretch break) * **7:30 PM - 8:00 PM:** Open networking * **8:00 PM:** Soft close **Location & Logistics:** Herndon Fortnightly Library (Extended Hours Meeting Room) 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170 * **Parking:** We'll meet at the library, located just behind the Herndon Municipal Center. There is plenty of free public parking available around the municipal center. * **Metro & Bus:** Take the Silver Line to Herndon Metro Station, then connect via Fairfax Connector Route 921 or 950 to Historic Downtown Herndon. * **Driving (via VA-267/Dulles Toll Rd):** Take Exit 10 North (Centreville Rd, which becomes Elden St). Turn left onto Station St or Lynn St. * **Driving (via VA-286/Fairfax Co Pkwy):** Take the Elden St West exit. Turn right onto Lynn St. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and getting back to building!

**🪷 Live Online Gay Speed Dating with Washington DC Gay Locals Real Rounds — Personality Matched** In each session, you'll connect via focused short video rounds with Washington DC gay singles matched by age and personality, while everything stays on track thanks to a live host. When booking your spot, a short matching quiz is included in the process — we use those answers to identify compatible Washington DC gay singles for your rounds, making every round feel more natural from the first minute. When it is all over, we reveal your mutual connections — only when both people made the same choice — and from that point you call the shots. **Register by age group:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=507.0&productType=onlineSpeedDatingGay&city=Washington%20DC&groupurlname=sparking-genuine-friendships-among-gay-men&ar=18-32&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=507.0&productType=onlineSpeedDatingGay&city=Washington%20DC&groupurlname=sparking-genuine-friendships-among-gay-men&ar=30-46&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=507.0&productType=onlineSpeedDatingGay&city=Washington%20DC&groupurlname=sparking-genuine-friendships-among-gay-men&ar=40-58&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=507.0&productType=onlineSpeedDatingGay&city=Washington%20DC&groupurlname=sparking-genuine-friendships-among-gay-men&ar=55+&face_v=3.0) **⚠️ Important:** This rsvp does not equal a reserved seat, so click your age group link, complete the form, and take the short personality questionnaire — places are capped so do this promptly, and only a completed registration locks in your seat. --- **Made for:** - Gay locals in Washington DC moving beyond profiles instead of real people and want real chemistry over profile photos. - Anyone from Washington DC who have given up on gay app treadmills that go in circles and are serious about meeting someone. - Gay locals who live in Washington DC who are tired of shallow connections that never lead anywhere and value real conversation over curated profiles. - Queer individuals in the Washington DC area ready to move past the exhausting loop of apps that waste evenings and are serious about meeting someone. - Queer people living in Washington DC who have had enough of gay app treadmills that go in circles and need a better way to meet gay people locally. **At a Glance** - **Format:** Professionally hosted through a Zoom session with short one-on-one gay video rounds, personality-first and age-grouped at every stage. - **Where:** Completely online — from any device you are comfortable with, just a webcam and a good internet connection, and you can join from your couch or anywhere else that works. - **Host:** A dedicated host handles round management so conversations feel natural, leaving you free to just connect — you arrive, they run it — that is the arrangement. - **Vibe:** Warm video speed dating rounds with Washington DC gay people who are ready for something real, and every round is more enjoyable than the last. - **Duration:** Usually an hour give or take all told, and time moves fast when you are in it. **The format** 1. **Lock in your place** – via the age group link that applies to you, then finish the compatibility quiz, since that is what confirms your place. 2. **Join Zoom** – by opening the session link at the right time, browser-based so no special app is required, and the host starts the session and guides you through it all. 3. **Chat** – timed one-on-one speed dates with Washington DC gay singles curated for you by age and personality, as the host signals round starts and ends, as every round is with someone selected for you by the quiz. 4. **See your mutual connections** – we reveal mutual matches once the session ends, as your data only goes to someone who matched you back, and there is no deadline on when you reach out. ⭐ *"One of the best evenings I have had — ended up having proper conversations"* – Washington DC gay local 💡 **Heads up:** prepare one or two opening questions, so the rounds feel natural from the very start, and the best rounds always come from the most relaxed setups. --- ✨ No more swiping — lock in your spot above and we will do the rest for this event. See you on the other side. 🪷 ✨

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Resource Presentation** **What You Really Need to Know from an HR Professional** **Presented by Donna Giarratana** **Wednesday\, May 27 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a practical and insightful resource presentation designed to help small business owners navigate one of the most critical — and often overlooked — areas of growth: **Human Resources**. *** ## **About the Session** As your business grows, so do the complexities of managing people, processes, and compliance. Many entrepreneurs wait too long to think about HR — and by the time they do, they’re already reacting instead of planning. In this session, **Donna Giarratana** will break down what small business owners *really* need to know about HR — in a way that is clear, actionable, and relevant to your stage of growth. This conversation is designed to help you move from uncertainty to confidence when it comes to building and managing your team. *** ## **What You’ll Learn** * When it’s the right time to hire * How to set your business up for success before bringing on employees * Why HR matters — even for small businesses * Common pitfalls and how to avoid them * The foundational HR knowledge every business owner should have *** ## **Who Should Attend** * Entrepreneurs preparing to hire their first employee * Small business owners currently managing a team * Founders looking to strengthen operations and compliance * Anyone who wants to build a business with a strong, scalable foundation *** ## **Why Attend?** * Gain clarity on one of the most important aspects of business growth * Learn how to avoid costly mistakes before they happen * Ask questions and get real-world insight from an HR professional * Walk away with practical knowledge you can apply immediately *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **May 27** for coffee, connection, and a conversation that will help you build your business the right way from the inside out. We look forward to seeing you there.