Atlanta’s Best Networking Opportunities
Estimated reading time: 3 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 plethora of networking events that cater to diverse industries and interests. Here are a few of our favorites!
Creative Mornings
We always run into people we know at this free monthly lecture series for the creative community. Creative Mornings has been around for more than a decade, with chapters in over 230 cities around the world. Fortunately for us, the Atlanta chapter is one of the longest-standing and most active groups. Events are held at unexpected venues. Past hosts have included Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Woodruff Arts Center, and Monday Night Brewing Garage. Each month, after some casual networking, a different speaker takes the stage to present an inspirational lecture about their work. Plus, get on their email list for virtual workshops and after-hours networking events!
Switchyards Neighborhood Work Club
Switchyards is our official coworking space! With locations across Atlanta (and growing), Switchyards has a polished yet laid-back vibe that strikes a satisfying balance between professional and quirky. A monthly membership fee gets you entry to their 24/7 locations, bottomless coffee, a comfy coworking space, and a network of unbelievably cool ATLiens.
Ladies, Wine & Design
Ladies, Wine & Design is another global networking community for creatives. Their goal is to empower women and non-binary creatives through meet-ups, mentoring, and more. The Atlanta chapter hosts intimate “salon” gatherings every other month. Due to the small size and cozy venue choices, this group feels more like a dinner with your work-savvy girlfriends than a networking event.
Freelancer’s Union
Membership in the Freelancer’s Union is free, and this organization offers a slew of resources for independent workers. Since it began in 1995, Freelancers Union has successfully fought for protections for freelance workers, including its Freelance Isn’t Free campaign, which helped pass laws in New York City giving freelancers unprecedented protection from nonpayment. The group attracts freelancers from all walks of life and a wide variety of age groups, giving conversations dimension and substance.
Association of Fundraising Professionals Atlanta
Because we work with a number of nonprofits in Atlanta – and our cofounder, Heather, is a former nonprofit Development Director – we have a sweet spot for nonprofit fundraising! We’ve found AFP Atlanta meetings to be incredibly helpful and well-attended. With expert speakers, volunteer philanthropy days, CFRE study courses, and more – this group is a great resource for anyone working in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, or related fields!
Above: the Switchyards Westside location; treats from metafour at a Ladies, Wine & Design event, and an early morning view at PCM en route to a networking meetup!