Community Meet + Greet
- Date
- 2026-05-07
- Host
- Women Defining AI: Community Calendar
About this event
Start your Thursday by putting real faces to familiar names and making a few new connections that actually stick. Community Meet + Greet is a simple, in-person gathering designed to help people in the same orbit find each other, start good conversations, and leave feeling more connected than when they arrived. If you like events that are welcoming without being overly structured, social without being awkward, and useful without feeling transactional, this is that kind of morning. Come by, say hello, and spend time with people who care about community, conversation, and building stronger networks in person. What Is This? Community Meet + Greet is an in-person community meetup built around introductions, casual networking, and easy conversation. The goal is straightforward: create a space where people can meet one another, learn who is in the room, and build familiarity in a low-pressure setting. This is not a formal conference, a sales event, or a session where you are expected to perform. It is a social, community-centered gathering where the format supports natural connection. You can show up ready to mingle, listen, introduce yourself, and find the people you want to keep talking to after the event. Because the focus is on community, the event works whether you already know a few people or you are walking in for the first time. The structure is light enough to feel relaxed, but intentional enough to help conversations get started quickly. Expect a mix of open conversation, informal introductions, and space to meet people across different backgrounds, interests, and levels of involvement. The emphasis is on making the room feel approachable and useful from the moment you arrive. What to Expect The event starts in the morning, which gives it a fresh, focused energy. Rather than waiting until the end of a long day to network, you will be meeting people when attention is high and conversations are easier to carry into the rest of your day. You can expect a flow that feels social and easy to navigate, including: Arrival and settling in, with time to get oriented and start casual conversation Introductions and early icebreakers that make it easier to move beyond small talk Open networking time to meet new people at your own pace Community conversation around shared interests, projects, or goals Natural follow-up moments to exchange contact details and continue promising conversations The emphasis is on interaction, not presentation. You are not coming to sit quietly through a long program. You are coming to take part, speak with people directly, and discover who is in the room. That also means you can shape the value of the event around what you need. You might spend your time broadening your network, reconnecting with familiar faces, hearing what others are working on, or simply getting more plugged into the community in a tangible way. Why Attend The best reason to attend is simple: in-person connection still matters. Digital communities, group chats, and online introductions are useful, but they rarely replace the clarity and momentum that come from meeting someone face-to-face. This event gives you a practical way to strengthen your local network without committing to a high-pressure format. You can have real conversations, get a better sense of who is active in the community, and identify people you may want to collaborate with, learn from, or stay in touch with. You may leave with: New connections you would not have made online A clearer sense of the community and who is involved Potential collaborators, peers, or friends with shared interests Fresh perspective from conversations outside your usual circles A stronger feeling of belonging within the broader network Even if you are not attending with a specific goal, the event is worth showing up for. Sometimes the most valuable outcome of a meetup is not a formal result but a useful introduction, a timely conversation, or the confidence that comes from feeling more connected to the people around you. Practical Details This is an in-person event taking place on Thursday, May 7 at 9:00 AM PDT. Since the focus is meet-and-greet conversation, arriving on time is the best way to get the most out of it. Early minutes matter at events like this because they help set the tone and make introductions easier. Because the format is social and community-oriented, it helps to come prepared to introduce yourself in a clear, relaxed way. Think about a few basics you may want to share, such as what brings you to the event, what kinds of people you hope to meet, or what you are currently focused on. A few helpful ways to prepare: Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in comfortably Bring an open mindset and be ready to start a conversation first Have a quick self-introduction ready to make networking easier Leave space after the event if you can in case conversations continue naturally Whether you are a regular at community gatherings or trying one for the first time, this event is built to be accessible, useful, and genuinely social. If you want a better sense of the people around you and a stronger connection to your community, this is a good place to start.
Who should attend
This is for you if you want to meet people in person, expand your circle in a natural way, and feel more connected to the community around you. - You enjoy **community-driven gatherings** where conversation matters more than formal programming. - You want to **meet new people without the pressure** of a highly structured networking event. - You are new to the community, the area, or the broader network and want an easy entry point to start building relationships. - You already know a few people and would like to **deepen existing connections** while making new ones. - You are looking for **peers, collaborators, friendly faces, or local connections** and prefer doing that in person. - You appreciate morning events that are **focused, social, and easy to fit into your day**. If you have been meaning to get more involved, reconnect with people, or simply spend time around others who value community, you will likely feel at home here.
Speakers
- Nadia Eran
- Sara Hathaway
- Melaina Chambers
- Casey Smirniotopoulos (she/her)
- Kashfia Khan
- Vanessa Thomas
- Skye King
- Lynn Prowitt
- Carren Jao
- Lauren Irving
- Tanjina Shapiro
- Nic Amos
- Stephanie Florence
- Jeba Ponni Kannan
- Carol Grant
- Lidia De La Cruz
- Hansneet Randhawa
- Susan Appel
- Katrina Mata
- Maninder
- Christine Rimer
- Anna
- Adamma
- Karen Johanson
- Sukhi Grewal
- Kat G
- Lucy Ellis
- Maria Basanta