Speed-Friending

Speed-Friending

Do you cringe at the thought of a “happy hour” or “networking” event? A badly facilitated, unstructured, loud, on your feet, free for all where you’re balancing a plate of crusty cheese cubes and forcing conversation while stuffed in uncomfortable clothes, wondering why you came, when you can leave, if you should ever leave the house again, and whyyyyyyyy it’s so hard to find your people.

But still want to (occasionally) leave the house and find quality community?

Imagine you’re in a room full of strangers, all there for the same reason—to meet others.

Imagine comfortably chatting with those of a different age, race, industry, education, income, sexuality, gender, marital status, personality type.

Imagine being gently, warmly, and charismatcially guided by a skilled facilitator who has experienced and understands, acknowledges, and mitigates awkwardness, social anxiety, feeling like you don’t belong, sitting in the car convincing yourself to go inside, and hiding in the bathroom.

It’s much easier to be yourself seated, in comfy pants, not shout-talking. And you being yourself surrounded by others being themselves is the foundation for quality connection.

Welcome to Mac & Cheese speed-friending, a perfect inclusive blend of structure and free-range where both introverts and extroverts shine.

Some of the attendees at a self-created after party...

You’ll talk with Person A for a short amount of time (five-ten minutes), until you hear the chime, and then you’ll talk with Person B for a short amount of time, Person C, Person D, and so on. At the end of the conversation rounds, you’ll have an opportunity to (comfortably) follow up with people you’ve already talked to and to chat with folks you didn’t get a chance to meet, building on the shared-experience of the gathering, making back and forth easy and organic.

Come with the expectation of a low-key, enjoyable, unique experience. Cherry on top? A connection or three with people you’d like to see again.

If you’re nervous about —

  • Coming solo, don’t be; find Saya when you arrive and she’ll ease you in
  • Being the oldest, the youngest, the only _______, don’t be; part of the Mac & Cheese magic is that it’s not for a certain type, label, demographic, and that anyone who’s yes’y, open-minded, and friendly will fit right in.
  • Being socially awkward, don’t be; you’ll be in a room full of humans human’ing, who all know what it’s like to get tongue-tied or struggle with small talk. Be weird, be nerdy, be other’ish… just be yourself and welcome others being themselves, and you’ll at the very least have a nice time

STRUCTURE

  • Doors open thirty minutes before event start
  • On time start
  • Speed-friending
  • Mingling
  • On time end
  • Optional: continued hanging out!

TIPS

  • Arrive thirty to ten minutes before event start. This helps you arrive as your best self, not someone rushing to be on time. Gives you a chance to get a nametag, find the bathroom, meet the host, choose the best seat, (non-creepily) watch others arrive…
  • Know how you prefer to respond if someone asks for your contact info. What do you prefer to share? Email, website, social media links, phone…
  • Make it easy to give someone your info, in your preferred format. E.g. business card (analog or digital), QR code, digital one-link, pen & paper…
  • Attire is whatever you feel good in. Your host will be in comfy clothes.
  • Eat ahead of time. Food and drink is not provided, and you want energy and a satiated belly.

TO BRING (OPTIONAL)

  • Food/drink for yourself, including adult beverages; bring any accessories you may need (cups, bottle opener, etc.)
  • Pen & paper for notes
  • Business cards

YOUR HOST

Learn more about Saya (Sigh-Uh)

Check out other servings of Mac & Cheese, virtual and in-person

“Easily the best networking event I've been to! Saya is the queen of pumping energy & laughs into the room, and I personally met 5 incredible people I wouldn't have met otherwise. Spent over 2 hours downstairs at Downtown Grille with new connections. Recommend 10/10, will be at every session!”

"Had a fantastic time at a Mac & Cheese Productions event tonight for "speed friending." I met so many interesting people & the format was so relaxed and so much fun. Saya was the perfect facilitator and put everybody at ease so we could all just chat and have a great time. Highly recommended!"

"Saya, (speed-friending) last night was amazing!"

"Truly you attract some fantastic people, and the way you had it structured really did lend itself to finding connections and actually, for real, sparking friendships."

"It was so fun and thank you so much Saya! ... I got a text from a new friend the very next day and we are planning to get together! Can’t wait till next time, I’ll invite other friends!"

"Saya does a super job of taking the awkwardness and guesswork out of fostering connections. Whether it be in a social setting, or in the workplace. I attended the Mac & Cheese Speed Friending event in Winston, and the environment was so laid back and casual. Saya knows how to facilitate an environment that's welcoming to everyone and allows you to be yourself. I enjoyed it so much and will definitely be attending future Mac & Cheese events."

View Cheese-It Testimonials →

REGISTER

If the event has passed and you’d like to be alerted to future offerings, you can choose how to stay in the Mac & Cheese world here

Wake Forest Center for Private Business, 500 W. 5th Street, #300
Date and time below
$19

There is no age range; the only age requirement is that you’re an adult, so 21+. See why in the “If you’re nervous about…” section above.

There are no —

  • Refunds. You can transfer your ticket to someone else for the same date; to transfer your ticket, email Mac & Cheese with the name and email of the person taking your ticket.
  • Walk Up tickets. You must register ahead of time and be on the security list. If it doesn’t say WAITLIST below, that means tickets are still available.

To buy tickets for multiple Mac & Cheese offerings / dates —

  • Click the date you’d like
  • Adjust ticket quantity
  • Click ADD TO CART
  • Click CONTINUE SHOPPING
  • Click the offering you’d like to add
  • Choose the date
  • Return to top of this list and keep cycling through until you’re done shopping
  • Click CHECKOUT

Mac & Cheese Productions℠ events may be photographed or recorded. By attending, you grant permission for your image or likeness to be used in Mac & Cheese Productions℠ marketing materials.

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