Networking in Portland: 7 Events to Expand Your Professional Circle

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• October 30, 2014
• By Kelley Gardiner
• 2 Comments

Don’t tell anyone, but Portland, Ore. is a fantastic place to live, with all of its natural beauty, good food and nice people. You only have a couple of problems (other than the rain) to deal with upon arrival or graduation.

The first problem is finding an apartment. The second? Getting a job that pays the rent. Especially in a smallish city, it pays to know some key people in your desired job sector. Even if you’re not a schmoozer at heart, here are some events on the Portland networking calendar that won’t make you squirm. (Click here to tweet this list.)

1. Creative Mornings

Here’s an opportunity for you graphic designing, Web developing, photographic arty types. Each month features a speaker on a topic of interest to creatives. Grab a name tag, get coffee and a doughnut, and chat up your fellow attendees before the program starts. Learn something new, and meet creative people like yourself.

Tickets are free, but they go fast, so join the mailing list for monthly reminders. Consider pre-caffeinating to make the most of small talk before 9 a.m.

2. Young Non-Profit Professionals Network

If the idea of the Young Non-Profit Professionals Network’s (YNPN) speed networking event makes you itch, sign up for a volunteer project instead. The task at hand will give you an easy topic to start a conversation, and you can easily segue into your career goals. Just wash your hands before handing over your business card.

3. Emerging Professionals of Portland: Last Tuesday

No cost, no required registration, no stress. The Portland Business Alliance (PBA) puts on monthly Last Tuesday events for the young (and youngish) business-minded people of Portland.

The PBA usually has “ambassadors” available for people new to their events. These ambassadors will answer any questions you might have, and if you’re nice, they might even initiate an introduction or two.

4. Partners in Diversity: Say Hey

Are you a person of color who’s new in town? Make yourself known! Get introduced as an honoree at one of the quarterly meetings of Say Hey if you’ve moved to the area within the last eighteen months. If you’re not new in town, mingle over hors d’oeuvres with this diverse group of professionals. All are welcome.

5. Portland Network After Work

There’s plenty of flesh to press at this monthly event, which advertises 100 to 1,000 people at each meeting. Come from work in your business casual and bring lots of business cards to introduce yourself to people from all walks of life and work.

The $12 entry fee (if you RSVP and pay ahead of time) will get you your first cocktail and some appetizers in addition to schmooze time.

6. pdxMindShare

pdxMindShare wants to meld minds with you. Well, not really, but they’re all about sharing and networking, and have the events to show it. Every month, they offer a career-focused workshop presented by a local business or organization at 4:30 p.m.

Check online ahead of time to see who’s doing the workshop that month, or just go for the networking hour at 5:30 p.m. It’s all free, though it’s held at Trader Vic’s if you’d like to treat yourself to an umbrella drink.

7. Portland Women Founder’s Forum

Get after it, ladies. Join the private LinkedIn group to learn about upcoming events. Whether you have a business or you’re an “aspiring entrepreneur,” these meetings offer opportunities to learn (recent topics have included visual storytelling and the importance of relationships in business) and get to know other local female founders.

Kelley Gardiner is the author of Roller Derby for Beginners. She writes and occasionally networks in Portland, Ore.

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