My Favorite Events

updated 12/13/19

"Creative Mornings is a breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Our free, monthly events feature a short talk and breakfast!"

Events happen all over the world. I am a volunteer in the Chicago Chapter. Feel free to reach out to me before or at the next event.

I think of it like going to a one-off TED speaker session. These talks are recorded but are more meant to be seen live.

Make sure you RSVP at 11 am sharp the Monday before the event for your free ticket.

I am a core volunteer for this cause so please ask if you want to learn more.

ChiTribe helps Jewish young adults find their tribe-within-a-tribe by making it easier to meaningfully connect with each other at Jewish experiences in the Chicagoland area. ChiTribe makes it simple to discover and navigate Jewish events and organizations with a unified community calendar and directory.

This event is a hidden gem with a free lunch session on hot tech topics affecting nonprofits. I learned a ton about SEO from one of their speakers. They have had sessions on databasing, PR, social media, podcasting, and more.

RSVP early via Eventbrite.

Whether you're launching a new startup or trying to grow an existing business, nothing beats the advice from founders who have paved the way before you.

Hosted by two-time B2B SAAS entrepreneur and Chicago Ventures chairman Pat Ryan, Chicago Founders' TV showcases interesting conversations with some of the top founders in the startup ecosystem today."

He has brought in the guy who started Siri, someone who sold a company to TD Ameritrade for 750 million dollars, and just recently the guy who started SpotHero.

This event feels like a mini friendly Shark Tank. Investors have shown up and have asked tough questions.

"CAFFEINATING An entrepreneurial nation - Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups in 2012—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has grown to more than 180 communities."

The local chapter brings in two booming startups to pitch for 6 minutes each and the audience gets to ask them questions to help beef up their pitch. The companies and the attendees are super cool. There is always free coffee too.

***NOTE: I have shown up 3 times to this event where I was informed on location that the event was canceled. The reply was "we posted it on our FB page." The events schedule is sometimes unreliable. It makes me really mad. Despite that, if the event does happen, it's well worth it. It's an interesting mix of people that come.

"Since 2011, General Assembly has transformed tens of thousands of careers through pioneering, experiential education in today’s most in-demand skills."

GA has paid courses in career areas with high demand. They host lots of events with incredible speakers that are amazing for people looking to transition between careers. They also have an HR track as well.

I also just had the most amazing group of UX students work on my website as part of their final project. They were amazing!

"This Chicago HR Mastermind is for anyone who is convinced that there are better ways to attract, onboard, retain, recognize, reward, and develop the people who matter most to our businesses.

Members includes company-based HR practitioners of all levels and specialties, as well as consultants, service providers, business owners, students, and pros in transition who desire to stay on top of current HR trends, strategies, best practices, and resources."

My friend Erich runs this group. Sometimes more than 70+ people show up to this free event. People come to the group with HR related challenges and attendees offer them a chance to brainstorm solutions.

Having been a speaker for this event and an avid participant, I have learned so much about business from the kickass women in this group. I find this to be a supportive community to check in with regularly. This group has helped me boost my confidence professionally. I have made some incredible friends through this group.

Structure: 15 minutes to network, short group intros, an hour of a skill-building presentation, and 15 minutes to check in and share updates with the group.

Free coffee and contacts brought to you by the Lakeview & Lincoln Park chambers of commerce and the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC).

Structure:

-20 minutes of networking and coffee - people are really open to talking to each other

-Group gathers in the other room
-5 minutes of event sharing from the sponsoring groups

-20 minute go around where everyone briefly pitches their business to the group

-Business card exchange and more networking