Why We Network So Much (Can you spell PARTY? ((But that's really not the only reason)))

Even a casual out-of-towner who notices the Wilmington, North Carolina area on social media (especially Twitter and Facebook) will likely notice we have many of festivals, numerous outdoor concerts and events, and a never-ending steam of in person business networking events. People who live here notice that, too, and while we sometimes wonder why networking events are unusually common here, we don't question it too much - we just go and eat, drink and meet people. You can, too, if you wish - very few of these events are restricted to members only, in fact in every case I can think of, the more the merrier!

If you add up all the local area networking events (like the Downtowner's Meet & Greet), Business After Hours sponsored by area chamber of commerce (Wilmington, North Brunswick, Southport/Oak Island, Brunswick, and North Myrtle Beach) - not to mention all the ribbon-cuttings where food is usually served, social media specific meetings (such as the Wilmington Bloggers and Wilmington Tweetup), the business expo's also held by chambers of commerce, business groups such as the Wilmington Professional Group, a whole load of local and regional Meetups, you likely never need eat at home. Most of these networking events are monthly! There are also weekly farmers' markets in many areas, and especially during the summer, loads of free outdoor concerts, including the awesome Downtown Sundown concert series in downtown Wilmington on the riverwalk every Friday night during the summer.

Here are three networking events in the Wilmington area during August:


August 5th, Downtowner's Meet & Mingle at Front Street Brewery from 5-6:30PM - 9 North Front Street in Wilmington. Free appetizers and at 6PM, free beer tasting and a tour of the brewery. This meeting is always held the first Wednesday of the month and each time 2 or 3 downtown businesses are showcased (each has a small display). (Amazing appetizers). A fairly new group, combines local residents and business people - each month some newcomers show up and are amazed!


Wilmington Tweetup at Chris' Cosmic Kitchen on Eastwood Road in Wilmington. Monday August 17 from 5-7PM. I don't know what they're serving, but since Chris makes the area's best omelets, the state's best cheesecake, and the world's best shrimp bisque, you can pretty much count on the food being incredible. This is a fresh, young enthusiastic group. Meets at a different location each month.


Wilmington Professional Group - meets one Wednesday each month, each time at a different location with a different host and sponsor. This month it's meeting at Wilmington Kitchens in the Galleria Mall at 6766 Wrightsville Ave. Wednesday August 12th from 6-8.