How to Spot Networking Events That Are Actually Worth Your Time

You’ve RSVP’d to more events than you can count, only to walk away with a pocketful of name tags and zero real connections. Sound familiar? Most “networking” feels like performative mingling: loud rooms, limp handshakes, and follow-up emails that lead nowhere. But occasionally, you stumble into a gathering where things click—where conversations are real, relevant, and catalytic. That kind of room isn’t found by accident. It’s chosen with intent, filtered with precision, and pursued like a real business investment.

Local legwork matters
Before you dive into sleek platforms and curated lists, look around your own ZIP code. The most fertile conversations often happen through low-key, hyper-local networks you’ve never thought to explore—small business meetups in the back room of a coffee shop, city council–adjacent trade talks, chamber events that aren’t even promoted online, or informal project management roundtables hosted by a local coworking space. These aren't polished; they’re potent. You’re not aiming to “scale” yet—you’re looking to root. And the people in these rooms are often the ones with discretionary power, not just business cards.

Curate your circles online
When the online world feels like a crowd yelling into itself, get ruthless about where you listen. Instead of joining every Slack channel, Facebook group, or MeetUp you stumble across, start by seeking out online communities for entrepreneurs that share both your industry and your stakes. Platforms like LinkedIn or remote business hubs now host highly specific, invite-only circles—think minority-owned e-commerce brands or GenX real estate investors with five years in. These aren’t just filter bubbles; they’re pressure cookers of momentum and generosity, if you pay attention and show up with value.

Seek depth, not breadth
Forget name-dropping marathons. The real goal is repeat contact with people solving similar problems. Instead of blowing a whole afternoon on a 200-person mixer, look for tight formats: recurring founder breakfasts, curated peer dinners, 10-person accountability groups, PMI Arizona Chapter events. The best event isn’t the biggest—it’s the one where you’ll be seen more than once. It’s where someone will remember that you’re pivoting your agency into the field focused on ensuring AI follows laws and ethical standards, and follow up unprompted when they meet a client struggling with that exact issue. That's not serendipity. That's structured proximity.

Bring a better resume
Along with prioritizing intentional networking opportunities, if you're attending an event where conversations might lead to job offers or collaborations, your resume shouldn’t be stale. Refresh it with context: emphasize relevant experience, trim the fluff, and sharpen your language around outcomes. Tools like an AI resume builder can help generate a clean, professional resume in minutes based on prompts you provide. Beyond formatting, they offer smart content suggestions tailored to your goals and answers—making it easier to tell a sharper story. A great resume doesn’t close the deal, but it opens a better door.

Cast a wide net with events platforms
Yes, Eventbrite is full of fluff. But hidden beneath the obvious webinars and crypto talk are access points you’ll miss if you stop scrolling. Use filters aggressively: by intent (learn, meet, pitch), by industry (not just "tech"—think tools and support that help sales teams sell business software more effectively), by host (ignore vague collectives, aim for verified orgs). Event platforms are not magic. They’re marketplaces. The trick is to treat them like supply chains: you’re sourcing formats that match your bandwidth and your style. Most importantly, don’t confuse high production value with high opportunity.

Be the conversation, not the passerby
If you’ve got opinions, frameworks, or even just lessons learned, stop waiting for an invitation and pitch yourself into the programming. Panels, workshops, roundtables—they’re not reserved for experts with TED talks. You become a gravity well when you’re on stage, because people now have a reason to approach you with intention. In fact, many conferences actively solicit new voices from regional or underrepresented groups. Follow the prompts that invite local speakers. Submit even if you're unsure. Once you shift from attendee to contributor, the hallway conversations start writing themselves.

Map your intent to event type
Before you say yes to the next ticketed mixer or trade expo, pause. What do you want this event to do for you—are you looking for prospective clients, operational referrals, or insight into pricing models? Each goal demands a different container. A panel discussion might help you scout collaborators, while a hands-on workshop creates momentum with peers. Picking at random wastes both time and attention—matching event format to your current strategic priority is what separates movement from noise.

Keep your name in their inbox
Networking doesn’t end at the event—it matures in your follow-ups. Three times a year is all it takes: a holiday message, an interesting read, a relevant invite. If you’re generous with signals, you stay in their periphery without being annoying. The professionals who maintain the connections they make are the ones people remember when a referral or opportunity shows up. It’s not about being everywhere—it’s about showing up just enough to be felt.

The best networking event isn’t the one with the highest attendance—it’s the one where people remember your name the next day. You’re not there to collect contacts; you’re there to build resonance. That means sharpening your tools, showing up prepared, and staying connected long after the chairs are folded. If you choose your rooms like you choose your clients, you’ll spend less time hoping something clicks and more time deepening what already works. Good networking is never a sprint—it’s a rhythm, and you’re allowed to set the tempo.

Join the PMI Phoenix Chapter to connect with Arizona’s largest project management community, enhance your skills, and lead with confidence in your career!

We are honored to recognize Sonia Kissel, Social Impact Program Manager, as an Exceptional Chapter Volunteer for her remarkable dedication and leadership within the PMI Phoenix Chapter.

Since joining the Chapter in August 2024, Sonia has consistently demonstrated a passion for service and community engagement. Her initiative in organizing the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen Prep event not only brought volunteers together but also showcased how project management skills can be applied to real-world challenges. Thanks to her coordination, the team exceeded expectations—preparing a second meal ahead of schedule due to their efficiency. Sonia also contributed her time and energy to Pat’s Run, further reinforcing her commitment to making a meaningful impact through volunteerism.

Sonia’s contributions extend beyond logistics and planning—she brings a thoughtful, inclusive approach to everything she does. Passionate about writing and public health, she believes in seeing the world through multiple perspectives and using her talents to drive change. Her proudest career moment, becoming an entrepreneur and publishing a book, reflects her creativity and determination. With a Korean name that means “bringing people together,” Sonia truly embodies the spirit of unity and collaboration that defines our Chapter. Her colleagues describe her as inclusive and collaborative, and her advocacy for causes like children’s welfare and education makes her a role model for all. Congratulations, Sonia, and thank you for inspiring us with your leadership, heart, and impact!

We are thrilled to recognize Jessica Moure as an Exceptional Chapter Volunteer!

Since joining the PMI Phoenix Chapter just 10 months ago, Jessica has made a remarkable impact through her role as the Women in Project Management Lead within the DEI Committee. Her journey into volunteering began at the Los Angeles PMI Global Summit, where a chance encounter with passionate volunteers sparked a desire to get involved. That moment of connection stayed with her, and she knew she wanted to be part of a community that shared her values and drive. Since then, Jessica has taken on key roles, including recruiting speakers for our Breakfast Meetings, supporting the Board Elections Nominations Committee, and championing initiatives that empower women in project management.

Jessica’s dedication stems from a deep desire to bring the “human touch” back into her professional life—something she missed while working remotely. Volunteering has allowed her to build meaningful relationships and blend her personal warmth with professional excellence. A former university professor in Venezuela, Jessica fondly recalls teaching her younger brother with white chalk on their closet door—an early sign of her natural gift for making complex ideas easy to understand. Her multicultural journey through Venezuela, Mexico, and the U.S., along with her experience working for a Chinese company, has given her a rich global perspective and an ability to connect across cultures. Her motto, “Where there’s a challenge, there’s an opportunity,” perfectly captures her fearless approach to problem-solving and her passion for taking on the seemingly impossible.

Please join us in celebrating Jessica’s outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to our chapter’s mission. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one volunteer can make—and an inspiration to all who are considering getting involved. As Jessica says, “Don’t wait any longer. Go for it. Make the difference. Showcase your talents.” Whether she’s sneaking chocolate away from her kids or building her own project management firm, Jessica brings heart, humor, and hustle to everything she does.

Ken has been a dedicated member of PMI for over 13 years and began his volunteer journey in 2021 after retiring. Driven by a desire to stay engaged and give back to the project management, STEM, and greater Phoenix communities, Ken took on the role of Director of our new Mentorship Program and was instrumental in the program’s growth and maturation. Particularly rewarding for him is seeing Mentor-Mentee progress highlighted during our Mentorship Graduations, where members celebrate successful connections and progress made by both mentees and mentors during each cohort. Additionally, Ken has found a rewarding role in the Chapter’s Social Impact initiatives, such as collecting coats and donations for the One-Warm-Coat drive and helping at our local food banks. He encourages new members and those considering volunteer work to take advantage of the numerous opportunities offered by our Chapter and grow with us on this journey.

Ken emphasizes the importance of networking with top project managers in the state and improving one's skills and knowledge. He believes in the power of giving back and supporting the profession, quoting, "What we have done for ourselves alone goes with us when we leave this life; what we have done for others, and the world, remains and is immortal." His passion for STEM, leadership, social justice, giving back and personal interests such as cycling, swimming, hiking, and handyman projects on his historic home in mid-town Phoenix, further exemplify his commitment to continuous learning and community involvement. Ken's hidden talent lies in his enthusiasm for STEM, where he has presented science concepts and live demos to middle-school and elementary school classes, judged science fair entries, and attended lectures at Cal-Tech, Mount Wilson Observatory, and the NASA-Jet Propulsion Labs.

Ken's dedication extends beyond his volunteer work. He is passionate about family, faith, leadership, and social justice. During his time off, he enjoys visiting destinations like Bellagio, Italy, Southern Germany, and family in Colorado and on the East Coast. His guilty pleasure is Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream from Tillamook Creamery. Ken's business philosophy revolves around developing a long-term strategy, focusing on quality results, and continuous learning and improvement. He is inspired by his heroes, including his parents, grandparents, and family members who supported him throughout his career and particularly after a near fatal cycling-triathlon accident in 2014. Ken's proudest career moments include saving lives through key pharmaceutical and medical product developments along with manufacturing process developments for biological therapies. He is especially proud of his team winning the United Kingdoms’ - Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement. His personal motto, "Noblesse Oblige," reflects his belief in the responsibility to give back and help others.

At the PMI Phoenix Chapter, outreach is a key contributor to how we enhance the experience and network of our local profession. It all starts with molding future project professionals through Academic Outreach, which supports programs for students from middle school through the collegiate level. One such program that engages directly with students early on in middle school is the Future City Competition.

Every year, the competition provides students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade the opportunity to envision a “city of the future” by submitting various deliverables to be judged. This past year, over 70 teams of 3 students each competed in the Arizona Regional Finals on January 18, 2025. This culminated in the selection of one team to represent the region in the National Finals located in Washington D.C. in mid-February. This year’s theme was entitled “Above the Current,” which called for students to “design a floating city and provide two innovative examples of how [their] floating city works and keeps its citizens healthy and safe.”

PMI Phoenix Chapter contributes to the regional competition in several ways. First, volunteer judges from active chapter members are called upon to review and provide feedback on the team’s Project Plan deliverable. Our judges are currently led by our Co-Directors under Academic Outreach for the chapter, Christopher Downey and Robin Watkins. The chapter also shares volunteer opportunities to judge other deliverables and provide logistical support to the region’s Executive Committee. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Co-Directors if you are interested in supporting upcoming Future City Competitions and the various ways in which chapter members or non-members can support. Project Plan judging typically kicks off in early fall and has split parts to review in November and December that is entirely remote. The regional competition always occurs on a Saturday in mid-January at a pre-selected venue in the valley. We would like to thank Mark Plihcik, Edwina-Sampler Wright, Ronnie Watley, Erica Husted, Taylor Nielson, and Danile Merahbi from within the chapter for their support in this past year’s competition.

The Phoenix Chapter also recognizes students at the Regional Finals with awards that exemplify outstanding use of project management principles. The first is the Outstanding Project Plan Award, which is sponsored by the PMI Educational Foundation. This is for the team our judges determined best capture a basic understanding of project planning and use of tools (objectives, schedules, resources, etc.). We would like to take this opportunity to recognize teams from the last two competition seasons: Team Cliste from Esmond Station K-8 School for the 2023-24 competition and Team Maselan from Desert Wind Middle School for the 2024-25 competition. 

The second is the Outstanding Project Manager Award, which is sponsored by the PMI Phoenix Chapter and is specific to the AZ Regional Competition. Students who were selected and nominated by their educator and team members, sit with one of our Chapter Member for a brief interview. The individual students are asked to share their experience leading their team through the project deliverables. Christopher Downey interviewed students during the 2023-24 competition and Ana Nunez-Prieto from Desert Willow was recognized. Robin Watkins interviewed students during the 2024-25 competition and Kajya Bender from Mesa Accelerated and Gifted Academy was recognized.

Teams have been represented from all over the state including Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. This year, we would like to congratulate Team Marasana for winning the AZ Regional Finals of the 2024-25 Future City Competition, and representing the state at the National Finals in Washington D.C. The team achieved 4th Place finish overall at the National Finals in mid-February 2025. A great testament to the hard work and dedication that all students show every year.

As the Arizona Regional Competition approaches its 30th Anniversary this upcoming season, at PMI Phoenix, we want to thank all of the volunteers that support Academic Outreach to enhance programs like these for future project managers. If you have any interest at any point throughout the year, don’t hesitate to contact us to understand more about what the competition entails and how you can support. This also includes organizations and other societies that have a desire to sponsor the event in a variety of ways. Feel free to also contact members of the Arizona Regional Executive Committee (https://futurecity.org/future-city-regions/arizona/) if you would like further information about the competition. 

Contacts for the current PMI PHX Co-Directors for Future City:

• Robin Watkins (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) 

• Christopher Downey (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) 

Team Cliste (above) was selected for their Outstanding Project Plan, sponsored by PMIEF and judged by the PMI PHX Chapter during the 2023-24 Regional Finals.

Anna-Nunez-Prieto (above) was selected as the Outstanding Project Manager by the PMI PHX Chapter in the 2023-24 Regional Finals.

Steve Poessnecker, PMI PHX Board Director, speaks with teams (above) at the 2024-25 Future City AZ Regional Finals at Casteel HS.

Robin Watkins, Co-Director for PMI PHX, presents Kajya Bender with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at the 2024-25 Future City AZ Regional Finals.

Christopher Downey, Co-Director for PMI PHX, is recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Executive Committee at the Future City 2024-25 AZ Regional Finals.

Team Marasana from the AZ Region is recognized by PMIEF for their Outstanding Use of Project Planning at the 2024-25 Future City National Finals in Washington D.C.

Team Marasana is awarded 4th Place overall at the 2024-25 Future City National Finals in Washington D.C.

Bruce Schwickrath has been a cornerstone of PMI for 24 years, showcasing exceptional dedication and leadership across various roles and chapters. His PMI journey began in 2005 as a Chapter Event Speaker for another chapter, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become their VP of Programs, Chapter Secretary, and Chapter President. Bruce's unwavering commitment to the PMI community shines through his extensive volunteer work, including his contributions to the PMBOK 5th Edition and the Consulting Community of Practice (CoP).

In May 2024, he joined the Phoenix Chapter as the Director of Mentorship Programs, underscoring his passion for professional development and mentoring. This year, Bruce has been at the forefront of rolling out the Mentoring Clinic series and launching Mentoring Cohort 5, generously sharing his 40 years of project management expertise with chapter members. He firmly believes that volunteering is a fantastic way to learn new methods and skills, and he encourages new members to dive in for recognition and growth. Bruce's calm demeanor under pressure and his deep understanding of project management processes make him a revered leader and mentor within the PMI community.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bruce loves unwinding at the beach, especially in the Caribbean, and indulging in his guilty pleasure of working outdoors at home, when it is cooler. He thrives on the challenge of solving complex problems and is inspired by those who say something that can't be done. Colleagues describe him as a team leader who values discussion and collaboration. His personal motto, "Work at something you love to do and never work another day in your life," perfectly captures his dedication to his career and his belief in finding joy in one's work.