Atlanta’s Best Networking Opportunities
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In Atlanta, opportunities for professional growth and connection abound!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to expand your horizons, a newbie to the field or the city, or a budding entrepreneur looking to make connections, Atlanta offers a variety of networking events and groups that cater to diverse industries and interests. Here are a few of our favorites.
We always run into people we know (and meet new friends!) at this free monthly lecture series for the creative community. Creative Mornings has been around for 15+ years, with chapters in over 240 cities around the world.
Fortunately for us, the Atlanta chapter is one of the longest-standing and most active groups. Events are held at fun, unique venues: past hosts have included Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Plywood People, and the Woodruff Arts Center.
Each month, after some casual networking, a different speaker takes the stage to present an inspirational lecture about their work. Plus, get on then Creative Mornings email list for virtual “Field Trips” and after-hours networking events!
Dubbing itself “the world’s largest face-to-face creative community,” Creative Mornings is a can’t-miss event for anyone in the creative world.
Pictured: The two of us (Emma & Heather) volunteering at a Creative Mornings event at Monday Night Brewing Garage.
Society for Human Resources Management (Shrm) Atlanta
For Human Resources professionals, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Atlanta is the place to be! This membership organization includes 2,000+ professionals and hosts regular meet-up events.
Sign up for a workshop, seminar, summit, conference, or another event. At the time of writing, upcoming SHRM Atlanta events include a SHRM Certification “Boot Camp” Prep Study Session, a webinar on leveraging your SHRM Atlanta membership, a one-day virtual symposium on payroll processing, a workshop on HR Data Storytelling, and more.
Join SHRM Atlanta with a monthly or annual membership for benefits such as an online HR community, mentor program, access to scholarship applications, an HR Compliance Center, volunteer opportunities, and more.
Technically not an “event,” but a space: Switchyards 24/7 work club is near and dear to our hearts! With locations across Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, Switchyards is poised to be the spot for co-working in the South.
Switchyards has a polished yet laid-back vibe that strikes a balance between professional and quirky. A monthly membership fee gets you entry to their 10 Atlanta-area locations, bottomless coffee, a comfy co-working space, and a network of unbelievably cool ATLiens. Some people love Switchyards so much, they’ve gotten tattoos honoring it!
Pictured: The Westside Switchyards location, in West Midtown.
The Lola
Similar to Switchyards, The Lola is a networking space rather than an event. That said, The Lola is unique in that it’s a space created intentionally for women.
Join The Lola for a variety of wellness and networking events, including Friday tours for prospective members and happy hours for current members. At The Lola, Atlanta women can connect with each other amidst a peaceful backdrop.
The Lola offers in-person and digital co-working annual memberships with access to a Member Platform, mobile app, online community, virtual workshops and replays, and (for in-person members), a variety of co-working and in-person networking benefits.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Atlanta (AFP Atlanta) is a networking and education group for nonprofit fundraising and development professionals. Morning meetings alternate between an in-person and virtual format and are typically well-attended.
Because our Writer & Co-Founder, Heather, is a former nonprofit Development Director, we help many nonprofits with their fundraising and marketing efforts. We’ve found AFP Atlanta meetings to be incredibly helpful, inclusive, and welcoming of newcomers. In fact, we even sponsored an AFP meeting earlier this year!
With expert speakers, volunteer “Philanthropy in the Classroom” days, Atlanta CFRE study courses, and more – this group is a great resource for anyone working in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, or related fields.
Become an AFP member to get access to resource such as exclusive webinars, an online forum, groundbreaking research, an annual compensation & benefits report, and more.
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Atlanta
Also for the nonprofit crew – Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Atlanta is a fantastic group for those newer in the field to meet new people and build your skills.
YNPN is a grassroots network with local chapters in 39 cities and metro areas across North America. The Atlanta chapter regularly hosts networking end educational events, as well as an annual “Next Gen” Breakfast in April. You can also sign up for volunteer opportunities to help the chapter with membership recruitment, fundraising, networking events, volunteer projects, and more.
Become a YNPN Atlanta member to access discounted and free professional development opportunities, networking events, resources, partner discounts, and more.
American Marketing Association (AMA) – Atlanta
The American Marketing Association (AMA) – Atlanta helps marketers find inspiration and connection through an ongoing lineup of workshops and networking events.
AMA Atlanta is the largest marketing organization in Atlanta as well as one of the largest chapters of the American Marketing Association across the U.S. The group offers lunch meetups, open-format networking events, and volunteer opportunities. You can also join AMA Atlanta “Special Interest Groups” to explore topics in more depth.
Join AMA Atlanta for members-only AMA Marketer’s Toolkits, members-only webinars and DEI resources, discounts on training and conferences, the best pricing on Professional Certified Marketer® exams, and more.