«Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.»

Michele Jennae

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Zürich has a vibrant community of interior design professionals and I had the pleasure to meet many of them during the latest five years as an interior design and architecture journalist. However, the community is currently a bit scattered and it’s time to bring it together. I’m happy to launch a new initiative in town: the Design Apéro event series.

It’s a series of networking events in a small format: 10-15 people selected for each event, gathering together to connect, share experiences, and start nurturing fruitful relationships.

What is the format of a Design Apéro?

The events are designed to happen at apéro time (around 18:00), every month, in a different design-inspired location in Zürich (this can be a shop, a gallery, a hotel, an atelier …). Each event has a special guest giving a short presentation as conversation starter followed by a couple of hours to chat in a focused environment.

When is the first Design Apéro?

The first Design Apéro will take place on the 4th of September – Time: 18:00-20:00. Location will be in Zürich.

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Can I join?

The event is open to: interior & product designers, architects, photographers with a soft spot for design & architecture, interior stylists, furniture shops and companies, curators. Many different profiles and players but all growing together in the same industry and with the will to widen their professional network.

A Design Apéro is invite-only – it’s important to involve people who are really motivated in building a thriving community – but we are always open to meet new professionals.

If you would like to join, send me an email at least 15 days before the event date and write the following info in your message (subject: Design Apéro):

*A brief introduction of yourself

*Why do you want to take part into the Design Apéro

*Your website/portfolio/blog

*Your LinkedIn profile

In case you’ll be selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the useful details.

A glocal event series

Since the local scene is very international and special guests might also come from abroad, the «official» language is English. Aber wir sind aperti anche a más idiomas. Each Design Apéro is documented by photos and brief videos that will be shared on social media through the official hashtag #designapéro. In such a way you can have a taste of the events and send your interest to participate in the next one.

Do you want to be one of the next hosts? Or making an in-kind sponsorship?

Since the Apéros are free of charge, I’m looking for hosts and local sponsors who are willing to provide a nice venue, drinks and nibbles & more, contributing to create a pleasant experience for all the participants. Being a sponsor means building a stronger community around your business while gaining a bit of extra exposure. I’m happy to discuss all the details during a meeting in person.

Fill the contact form to plan a first meeting with me at your location (Zürich). Subject: partnership

Let’s meet offline!

I’ve been freelancing for the past five years and I learned that meaningful connections are paramount to find a thriving tribe to grow with and develop new projects. Although we live in an increasingly digital world, I still believe in offline networking and with the launch of the Design Apéros my wish is to create a special venue for such a brimming community. I’ve met many people who have supported me, as I have them and they have remained in my life as friends and colleagues for years after. So… let’s build genuine relationships, because they really open doors and allows us to widen our horizons both as human beings and professionals.