Using Local Events to Build a Professional Network

How I built my network after moving to NYC (without feeling like a walking LinkedIn request). Relocating to New York can feel like being dropped into a 24/7 networking simulation. But instead of trying to "conquer the city," I focused on integrating into it, with people, places, and conversations that felt real. Here's what worked for me: 🫶 Joined communities that actually fit me I found groups like FIF Collective - spaces where creativity and professional curiosity collide. Being surrounded by people who get it makes all the difference. 📅 Subscribed to local event drops (Luma is a gem) Luma became my go-to spot for niche events and curated meetups. No more doom-scrolling - just solid leads on where to be. 👋 Showed up. 1–3 times a week. Consistency is underrated. I made it a rule to attend 1–3 events a week - no matter how busy things got. It kept the momentum going and led to the best kind of accidental meetings. 📲 Booked coffee chats with locals I didn’t wait to “run into the right people.” I reached out early, introduced myself, and scheduled real conversations. These 1:1s have been where the real value happens. 🎯 Events again! Sought out weirdly specific events Think: private equity meetups, investor circles, or even stuff that might not be trending but definitely attracts the people I wanted to learn from. 🤝 Made intros a habit I’d ask, “Is there one more person you think I should meet?”. 🏛️ Private clubs (Yale, Harvard, etc.) One of the best investments you can make is to join a private club or know someone who can invite you as a guest. These clubs opened doors to new circles, and you can meet people who might not be around in any other events. Did I miss something? Add your recommendations below! #NewYork didn’t hand me a network - I built it, a few conversations at a time. And honestly? That’s what makes it feel like home. If you’re new here or starting fresh somewhere else: go where the people are, follow your curiosity, and don’t underestimate the power of showing up.

I used to drop $1,000 on big conferences, thinking that’s where all the action was happening. Now? Game-changing events > calendar fillers. Turns out, the best convos were always happening at small side events. Recently at TechWeek, I managed to get into a tiny, highly curated event for a Series B+ audience and it was so worth the hustle. This wasn’t a “buy ticket, show up” kind of event. It was more like: find the organizers → reach out directly → dig up mutual intros → prep a killer intro blurb → earn your spot Because even the best pitch means nothing if you’re in the wrong room. Here’s how I decide where to go now, and don’t waste my time (or budget) there: → Research the audience first Check last year’s attendees. Look at the speaker companies. If your ICP isn’t there, don’t go. → Prioritize curated over open-door Events with RSVP forms and shortlists are gold. They take more effort to get into, but the quality of conversation is 10x higher. → Hunt for the small stuff and side events I’ll skip the 2,000-person conference for a 20-person breakfast any day. No booths, no noise — just real people and real context. → Use event curation newsletters I love Supermomos newsletters for finding quality events. Way better than scrolling Eventbrite or Luma for hours. → Don’t stack your day One meaningful event > three mediocre ones. You’ll actually have energy to follow up. Result: I stopped collecting just LinkedIn connections and started landing real leads. And I couldn’t have pulled it off without my assistant — from outreach, to prep, to managing all the behind-the-scenes ops. Great networking starts with choosing the right rooms. And remember: not all events are created equal. Some open doors. Some just fill your calendar. What’s your approach to event strategy?

How to Find the Right Networking Events and Network Efficiently When I first came to the U.S. for my master’s, I kept hearing the same advice: "Networking is key." So, like many students, I started attending random events, meeting a few people, and—let’s be honest—enjoying the free food. But after a while, I realized that while I was showing up, I wasn’t really making progress. I was meeting people, but those connections weren’t leading anywhere. That’s when I changed my approach. Here’s what worked for me: ✅ Targeted Networking: Instead of attending just any event, I focused on those specific to the biotech and medical device industry. ✅ Pre-Event Research: Before going, I would look up the speakers, their companies, and what they were working on. This helped me move beyond small talk and have meaningful conversations. ✅ Follow-Ups That Matter: The real challenge isn’t meeting someone once—it’s staying in touch. After events, I would send a thank-you message mentioning something specific from our conversation. That made my outreach more personal and memorable. This shift in strategy helped me build long-term connections—people who eventually played a key role in my career. Now, when students ask me how to find the right networking opportunities, I recommend starting with events hosted by accelerators and innovation hubs. These are some of the best: 1. MassBio 2. Nucleate 3. Innovate@BU 4. MIT Biotech Group 5. MDG Boston 4. Venture Café Cambridge You can’t miss this event that is right around the corner! In June, the 'Festival of Genomics' is happening, and it’s a great opportunity to meet professionals and industry leaders. If you're serious about networking, make sure to check it out! If you found this helpful, follow me for more insights and share this with anyone who might benefit! #networkingevents #biotech #medicaldevices