Network in Columbus: 20 Great Events and Groups to Attend in 2024
Andy Milligan
Design & Marketing Strategy For Innovative Brands & Businesses | Creative Partner | The Creative's Journal Podcast
Networking can be daunting, especially for small business owners and solopreneurs.
But in a city like Columbus, Ohio, with its thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, there's no shortage of opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, discover new resources, and find potential collaborators.
Ever since moving to the greater Columbus region, joining groups and engaging with others has been the single biggest needle mover for my business, MMG Design.
In this comprehensive (but not exhaustive) article, I’ve curated 20 of the top networking groups and events in Columbus that can help you expand your reach, generate new leads, and build meaningful relationships within the local business community.
Now.. you have no excuse not to get involved 😉
Innovate New Albany
Created and led by the City of New Albany, OH, Innovate New Albany is an ongoing initiative designed to leverage the community’s unique assets – a thriving ecosystem of innovators and entrepreneurs, a high degree of business connectivity, and robust public-private partnerships.
This is one of the best ones to attend in Ohio if you’re just getting started. With several events each month and free entry, it’s a great way to learn and make connections.
Columbus Chamber of Commerce
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is the epicenter of the Columbus Region business community. Within our interconnected ecosystem, businesses unite to eliminate barriers to prosperity, creating a thriving environment for enterprises across the Columbus Region.
My experience with the Columbus Chamber has been nothing short of awesome. A membership gets you an account manager and access to resources and events to help you grow as a business owner.
Westerville Chamber
The Westerville Chamber is a reasonably small, but incredibly mighty group that really advocates for it’s members. They hold free events often and actively encourage newcomers to come, network, and grow as business owners. They also hold lots of fun events.. like cornhole tournaments ;) Jessica Schwarz, SHRM-CP does great work for this team!!
Worthington Chamber
The Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce is a vibrant business organization serving the community of Worthington, Ohio. Headed by the man himself, Matt Lofy, it’s a great group to try because helps its members build valuable connections, gain new skills, and raise their profiles with actually relevant training.
They hold happy hours and pitch fests to help business owners grow. (Also- shout out to Jeremy Mumpower and Conspire for the recent visual rebrand!)
Dublin Chamber
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce is the primary business organization serving the thriving suburb of Dublin, Ohio. Founded in 1980, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce in Dublin, Ohio has been instrumental in fostering the city's remarkable growth and prosperity over the past four decades. Headed by Roxie Comminck, These events are always well-attended, value-packed, and resourceful.
Connected
This dynamic group connects entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote professionals in the Columbus area, providing a supportive community to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and access valuable resources. Connected hosts coworking events, educational workshops, and social mixers to help members expand their reach and unlock new possibilities.
Chris Borja and Cayden Wilson are great engines for this high powered machine, and this group positively impacts many!
AmSpirit Business Connections
If you’re in the market for making referrals and want to improve your speaking knocks, Amspirit may be your gig.
Dedicated to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Ohio, AmSpirit Business Connections offers networking, mentorship, and funding opportunities for startups and small businesses. Through its diverse roster of programs, this organization features multiple chapters with specialists in each industry to keep the group informed. Highly recommend!
Dean Curry & Frank Agin are great leaders for this organization and advocate for each of their members!
Purpose Jobs
As a talent marketplace focused on purpose-driven companies, Purpose Jobs connects passionate job seekers with meaningful career opportunities at mission-driven organizations across Columbus. Whether you're an impact-focused professional or a socially conscious employer, this platform can help you build a more purposeful future.
I first heard about these events from Ryan Perdue and Brian Eft. Great recommendation and looking forward to checking these out!
Rev1 Ventures
This Columbus-based venture capital firm and startup studio provides funding, resources, and strategic guidance to transform bold ideas into successful businesses. Rev1 Ventures supports entrepreneurs through accelerator programs, mentorship networks, and connections to a vast ecosystem of investors and industry partners.
Columbus Young Professionals
One of My Personal Favorites.
Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) is a dynamic organization that connects and supports young professionals in the Columbus, Ohio area. Through their networking events, volunteer opportunities, and professional development programs, CYP helps its members build meaningful relationships, advance their careers, and make a positive impact in their community. Whether you're just starting out or looking to further your career, CYP is a valuable resource for professionals in Columbus.
Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club
OhioX Morning Tech
OhioX Morning Tech is a monthly breakfast event that brings together tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Columbus region. Hosted by the statewide OhioX organization, these gatherings provide an opportunity to network, share insights, and learn about the latest trends and technologies shaping the local tech ecosystem. A really great way to keep up if you’re someone who likes to stay on top of the trends, a lot of the events are based around heavy-hitting topics like AI, machine learning, etc.
Columbus Business First
Columbus Business First is the leading business journal covering the Columbus, Ohio region. By engaging with Columbus Business First, you'll stay up-to-date on the latest news, trends, and insights affecting local companies. The publication also hosts various events, such as awards ceremonies and panel discussions, where you can network, learn, and celebrate the successes of the Columbus business community. Everything these guys do is top-notch.. so be sure to check this one out. And remember to bring your business cards.
ProductCamp Columbus
ProductCamp Columbus is an annual conference event that brings together product management professionals from across the region. At ProductCamp, you'll have the chance to participate in interactive sessions, share best practices, and explore new product development strategies with your peers. Whether you're a seasoned product manager or just starting out, this event provides a valuable opportunity to learn, collaborate, and connect with others who are passionate about creating great products.
H7
H7 is a co-working and event space in Columbus, Ohio that provides a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners. By becoming a member of H7, you'll gain access to a variety of amenities, including private offices, shared workspaces, and meeting rooms, as well as a supportive community of like-minded professionals. H7 also hosts regular networking events, educational workshops, and social gatherings, making it an ideal hub for growing your business and expanding your professional network in the Columbus region.
Dublin Entrepreneurial Center
The Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC) is a hub for startups and small businesses in the Dublin, Ohio area. The DEC provides co-working spaces, business acceleration programs, and networking events to help local entrepreneurs grow their companies. Events include Bible Studies, panels, and panels hosted by leader and innovator Chaz Freutel.
TechLife Columbus
Techlife Columbus is a vibrant community that connects tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the Columbus, Ohio area. Through their meetups, workshops, and social events, TLC (sorry guys 😉) helps its members stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, share best practices, and build meaningful connections with others who are shaping the future of technology in the region. If you're passionate about the tech scene in Columbus, Techlife Columbus is a must-join organization.
Startup Columbus
Startup Columbus is an online platform and community that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the Columbus, Ohio region. By following Startup Columbus, you'll stay informed about the latest startup news, funding announcements, and success stories emerging from the local ecosystem. The community also hosts various events, including pitch competitions and networking mixers, where you can connect with fellow founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts who are driving innovation in Columbus.
Columbus Metropolitan Club
The Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC) is a women-founded organization in the heart of Greater Columbus. CMC’s mission is to connect people and ideas through community conversations.
To carry out its mission, CMC explores public policy issues, current events, and lessons in leadership weekly through regularly scheduled luncheon forums. CMC’s goal is to encourage civic awareness of contemporary matters and to foster discussion of issues that confront the community, state, nation, and the world.
CMC has weekly panels on community topics, and is a great place to keep in the loop on topics that matter.
Parables and Created Conf.
Parables and Created Conference is an annual event that brings together creative entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals who are passionate about integrating their faith and values into their work. Attendees can expect a day filled with inspiring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that explore how to build businesses and careers that make a positive impact. Whether you're a Christian entrepreneur or simply interested in the intersection of faith, creativity, and business, the Parables and Created Conference is a unique and enriching event.
Be sure to attend Created Conference on October 19- it’s going to be big this year!!
Thanks for reading!! Get networked, get social, and put yourself out there. We live in a great place to make this happen.
At MMG Design, we specialize in creating agency-quality websites for innovative businesses looking to make a strong impression online.
Whether you're just getting started or a networking guru, We can help you determine the right approach to meet your goals and fit your budget. 🚀
Great list, Andy! Thank you for sharing your experiences. Our goal is to provide dedicated support, resources, and events that empower business owners like you to thrive. We truly appreciate your kind words. For upcoming events, feel free to visit: https://columbus.org/industry-insights/events/
Business Development \\ Software Development \\ Health, Nutrition, & Regenerative Agriculture Advocate
2wAwesome resource, Andy! Thanks for the shout-out. I'm glad I was able to recommend something you found valuable!
Empowering Businesses with Technology | Business Development & Community Outreach | 2024 Accelerate Columbus ESO | Columbus Chamber of Commerce Member Engagement Committee
2wLove this, Andy Milligan! I’ll be looking forward to joining a couple you listed that are new to me and can attest that Innovate New Albany and Columbus Chamber of Commerce are solid places to grow your network. 💯
Strategic Brand Designer | Empowering Businesses with Branding Knowledge and Strength
3wGreat list, Thanks for sharing.
Optimizing logistics and transportation with a passion for excellence | Building Ecosystem for Logistics Industry | Analytics-driven Logistics
3wWhat are some other great networking groups in the Greater Ohio Region? Share your recommendations and let's expand our network together!.