Want to talk to like-minded people who are interested in sustainability? Sounds good to me. But is networking anything really more than an excuse to have a few drinks at a new bar? GreenYour.com, “your guide to green anything,” has a good primer on how to find green networking events and offers this if you’re wondering if green networking is for you:
On the prowl for an eco-job? Looking to make sparks fly with an eligible green god or goddess? Recruiting for a conservation project in the community? Simply looking to connect and converse with like-minded folk? If you responded “yes” to any of the above queries, attending a green networking event may be the solution.
When thinking about green networking events, the first that usually comes to mind is Green Drinks, the happy hour network that started in a London pub almost 20(!) years ago. Green Drinks gatherings now meet in 402 cities across the globe and are unstructured and ad hoc. I have heard they are a lot of fun and the crowds can get pretty big.
Another national green networking event that I just became involved with is Eco-Tuesday, a monthly networking event that brings together sustainable minded people after work. It started February of 2007 in San Francisco and has grown it’s way across the country. It too is a place where information, contacts and ideas are passed in a casual atmosphere, but Eco-Tuesdays also feature informal (no power points, please!) 15-minute presentations on eco-topics. Past speakers have included Randy Paynter, founder of Care2.com and Ellen Grady of Patagonia.
Want to find other eco-events in your town? GreenYour.com suggests checking Ecopalooza Green Events Network or Zerofootprint. Also, check local/regional green blogs to see if any good events are coming to your city.
Have you been to any green networking events? Found a new venture partner? Met a new prospect? What did you like best? Please share!
Photo by Patty Nason, Gåvaphoto.
About Jennifer Kaplan
Thank you for the post!
I had previously heard of and signed up for Green Drinks, but Eco-Tuesday is a new one. Now I can look forward to attending their October event here in DC!
Eco-Tuesday sounds really interesting. I plan to attend. Thanks
Excellent! I can’t wait to meet all of you who come to the DC event. I know the folks in other cities would love to meet you as well.
In Houston, we host monthly Green Mixers. They are fun, casual, 3rd Friday get-togethers. We encourage green-minded, green-friendly and green-curious folks to attend and always have a great time, make good connections and laugh a lot!
After 30 years of entreneurship, I have officially changed that to ecopreneurship! Cheers to you and your group. We are hosting Nov. 30th our 1st Eco – Friendly gathering in our own 120,000sq/ft sustainable building. office space brampton
Green Cheers! Karen