Top 10 Networking Groups & Events in Dallas-Fort Worth this Fall (2022)

Connections. Connections. Connections. 

It’s how Anne Hathaway secures early editions of the 7th Harry Potter book in The Devil Wears Prada and how Rory Gilmore lands her first newspaper job in Gilmore Girls. Connections can help advance your career. 

And while some may want to reject this strategy - hoping they can get ahead on their own - it’s actually important to see it for what it is: a highly effective marketing strategy for you and your business.

As an entrepreneur, your business can see significant growth as you grow your connections and network. Here are the top 3 ways you can see business growth from networking: 

1. You find mentors who pour into you and your business, offering you sage advice that could revolutionize how you do things.
   Think Luke and Obi-Wan.  

2. You find potential clients and customers who may not have otherwise found you and are interested in your products or services.
   Think Luke and Master Yoda. How else would Luke have found Master Yoda had Obi-Wan not guided him there?

3. You develop business friendships who turn into loyal influencers and advocates for your brand and business, sending you referral clientele.
   Think Luke and Princess Leia. Not a bad connection to make - family relation aside.

But how do you grow your connections and network? By attending events and groups related to your particular niche, locale and demographic.

Are my shy, introverted friends shaking in their boots? Don’t worry! There are lots of smaller, less intimidating networking groups you can join before jumping into those larger networking events. Maybe try some virtual zoom meetings first, or some small groups that meet once a week?

Below, you’ll find a list of our Top 10 Networking Groups and Events in Dallas-Fort Worth that you can join this Fall:

Top 10 Networking Groups and Events in DFW (Fall 2022)

1. Latino Business Group (Arlington, Texas)

This is a business building group of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The Latino Business Group aims to connect the Latino business community to unique relationships through education, professional development, awareness, influence and engagement. 

To join the Latino Business Group, you must be a member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, be of Latino heritage, and, if you are employed, ask your employer for a formal endorsement to join the group.

2. Cafecito Time w/the Latino Business Group (Arlington, Texas)

Cafecito Time with the Latino Business Group meets over Zoom to help business leaders, community members and organizations build connections over a cup of coffee.

3. Chamber After Hours (Arlington, Texas)

If you live near or in Arlington, Texas, definitely check out the Chamber After Hours. And if you don’t live in Arlington, be sure to check out your own city’s Chamber of Commerce website for info on how to join or get involved with monthly networking events. 

Chamber After Hours in Arlington, Texas, is a casual, fun networking event with drinks and food. Members come to visit and network with the group, learn about other businesses, meet new friends and build relationships in the Arlington community. 

This event is hosted at a different venue each month throughout Greater Arlington.

4. Network Like a Boss (Grapevine, Texas)

Network Like a Boss is designed for business professionals to collaborate, network and market on one another’s behalf. 

The group meets every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at BOSS Office + Coworking in Grapevine and is free to attend. 

Learn more about this group.

5. Hey Chica Movement (Dallas, Texas)

The Hey Chica Movement has three different types of networking events throughout the year:

• Tacos and Chill - Have a taco. Take pictures. Hang out. This was created for women to unite as a community, relax and enjoy a plate of tacos. It creates a space for support, friendship and collaborations.

• We Recover & Reset - This is a program created to help women experience and understand the importance of self care. At these events, the Hey Chica Movement pours into the ladies with lifestyle panels, interactive sessions and keynotes.

• Hey Chica! Leadership Summit - This is an event to help our ladies and business leaders find support, sisterhood and mentorship.

6. Business Builders Networking (Plano, Texas)

Business Builders Networking meets every Tuesday morning (online and in-person) in Plano, Texas, starting at 7:30 a.m. At these weekly meetings, you will learn about: 

• Marketing and Sales

• Hiring and Firing

• Business Growth

• Money Management

• Investing

• How to Grow as a Leader of Your Business

7. Fort Worth Young Professional Ladies Social Club (Fort Worth, Texas)

Sometimes it’s nice to kick back and make some new friends. The Fort Worth Young Professional Ladies Social Club is for young professional women between the ages of 22 and 38 in the Fort Worth area. 

Planned events are posted on their Meetup page, linked above.

8. Texas Young Professionals (Fort Worth, Texas) 

Texas Young Professionals Fort Worth is a laid-back networking group in Cowtown that aims to help young professionals develop friendships and new business connections. 

There are monthly networking mixers at hot spots throughout Fort Worth, and quarterly luncheons. There is no fee to attend the monthly meetups, but registration is encouraged. 

The next scheduled meetup will be the Fort Worth Happy Hour at Blackland Distillery on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

9. Network After Work (Dallas, Texas, & Nationwide)

Network After Work has groups and events that take place throughout the United States. You can find a full list of events for different cities throughout the U.S., not just Texas, on their Facebook page (linked above). 

This networking group was created to help business entrepreneurs and professionals find a trusted peer group that can offer them new wisdom and inspiration in their jobs. 

Joining Network After Work, you can make valuable connections within your business community. The group meets once a month. 

10. Dallas Small Business Expo (Dallas, Texas, & Nationwide)

The Small Business Expo is an event that takes place in different parts of the United States. This is a one-day networking event that offers business entrepreneurs, owners and professionals a chance to get to know other like-minded individuals in their community, attend critical business workshops, shop innovative vendors in their area that can help them grow their business, and build important business relationships. 

The Dallas Small Business Expo will take place on Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas-Mesquite. Ticket prices vary depending on your chosen package. 

You can learn more about the event and register here.

We hope this list helps you as you begin networking this year. If you are not local to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, search for some of the groups in our list in a city near you, or do a few online searches for “networking events near me” or “[city] chamber of commerce.”