Join a big crowd of ambitious, creative, and curious professionals for an evening of real conversation, fresh ideas, and high-quality networking — minus the boring small talk. Whether you're building a startup, growing your career, or just love meeting sharp people doing cool things, this is where Montreal’s brightest come to connect. Expect a buzzing atmosphere, great drinks, and plenty of opportunities to make meaningful connections that could lead to your next collaboration, client, or big idea.
We’re expecting 40–60 professionals, so bring your best energy and plenty of business cards (or your phone for LinkedIn swaps).
20% Discount
This event is co-hosted with spectra.discount, the website that makes luxury experiences affordable to people 35 and under. If you fit within this age range, all your food and drink purchases will be discounted.
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Bistro Bar Les Soeurs Grises
An artisan microbrewery with unique, savory beers and local "smokehouse" inspired cuisine. Brewed in the heart of the Old Montreal, their beers were elaborated religiously for the past decade. Whether you choose traditional beers or more unorthodox ones, their cuisine will know how to match them, all in a chic and relaxed ambiance, enough for a sister to rescind her vows.
https://www.bblsg.com/en
The Program
Intro Game: Meet Me!
Start the evening with a fun twist on speed-friending. You’ll receive a list of personal achievements like "ran a marathon" or "visited Machu Picchu". Your mission: mingle and match the labels to fellow guests.
Opening
We'll take a few moments for our host to welcome everyone and introduce the event.
Networking
The rest of the evening is yours to savour; networking, having conversation, and enjoying fine food and drinks.
Business Networking Tips
1. Focus on Building Relationships, Not Pitching
People don’t connect with a resume, they connect with you. Skip the hard sell and aim for genuine conversations. Ask about what excites them, listen well, and find shared interests. Business often follows friendship.
2. Have a Clear but Casual Intro
When someone asks what you do, be ready with a short, friendly version that’s easy to understand and opens the door to conversation, not a sales pitch or job title dump. Think: “I help nonprofits grow online,” not “I’m a digital strategy consultant in the philanthropic sector.”
3. Ask Great Questions
Instead of “So… what do you do?”, try:
👉 “What’s something you’re working on that’s exciting?”
👉 “What brought you to this event?”
👉 “What’s one thing you’re hoping to get out of tonight?”
Curiosity creates connection.
4. Follow Up Thoughtfully
After the event, send a quick message, not to sell, but to keep the relationship alive. Mention something you talked about, send a helpful link, or just say it was great to meet them. Small follow-ups lead to big opportunities.
5. Play the Long Game
Great networks are built over time. Don’t worry about instant results. Instead, be kind, helpful, and memorable — so when the right opportunity does come along, you’re the person they think of first.
FAQ
What kind of people attend these events?
You’ll meet a mix of professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, freelancers, and people in transition, all curious, ambitious, and open to connecting. Attendees tend to be in their 20s to 40s, but all are welcome.
Do I need to be a founder or have a business?
Not at all! Whether you’re launching a startup, climbing the career ladder, or just exploring ideas, you’re welcome here. This is about real conversations, not job titles.
Is this event bilingual?
This event is open to people of all languages. Facilitation will be mainly in English with French translation if needed.
Can I come alone?
Definitely. Many people attend solo and we design the event to make it easy and natural to meet others. No awkward cliques or stiff handshakes, just real people connecting over shared ideas.
Do I need to prepare anything beforehand?
Just bring yourself, a curious mindset, and maybe a few business cards (optional LinkedIn swaps are welcome too). You don't need a pitch; just be ready to talk about what you're interested in.
Is this a formal or casual event?
Business-casual is perfect. Think polished but comfortable. You want to feel confident, not like you’re heading into a boardroom.
Will there be structured networking activities?
Yes, we start with a light, hosted activity to spark conversations. No cringey speed networking here. After that, you’ll have time to mingle freely and connect in a more natural way.
What kinds of topics do people talk about?
Everything from startups and career changes to AI, creativity, remote work, side hustles, and industry trends. It’s a great place to trade insights, find collaborators, or just learn something new.
Can I pitch my business or product?
You can talk about what you do — but please don’t treat this as a sales event. We’re here to connect, not cold-pitch. If people are interested in your work, the conversation will flow naturally.
Is there a code of conduct?
Yes. We expect all attendees to treat others with respect and professionalism. We don’t tolerate harassment, aggressive selling, or anything that makes the space feel uncomfortable or exclusionary.
What if I feel out of place or have a concern
Come chat with the host. We’re here to make sure everyone feels welcome, supported, and included. If you have feedback or something went wrong, we want to know so we can make it better.
Admission
This kickoff event is free!
Latecomers
Latecomers are welcome but you will miss the fun games and performance.
Inclusion
Hi Society is committed to creating a welcoming and safe space for everyone. We celebrate diversity across all ages, ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. If you have specific pronoun preferences or accessibility needs, please contact the event organizer—we want everyone to feel respected and supported.
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