Find the networking events in Cardiff that work for you.
The following questions can help you decide on which networking events are worth trying out:
- What do you want to achieve from attending networking events?
- Which events are your target market or peers most likely to attend?
- Is there anything you can do to help attendees during or after the event?
- What kinds of event structure works for you?
- Which times/ days of the week are you best able to socialise?
* Disclaimer: I am not incentivised by any of the groups or organisations listed, so what you see here is an unbiased list. Since I last published these, many new groups have popped up, so, please, if you see any missing, drop me a line. The events listed may be subject to change. Event information is based on what the information available online. If you are one of the organisations’ listed, please contact Glew to request any changes. Please check the relevant providers’ websites for the latest information.
Market Share
Who: Run by Tramshed Tech, Ogi, Yolk and Rockadove.
Why: For founders, entrepreneurs, assistants, and executives looking to level up their marketing.
What: 10 minute lightening talks, open networking over pizza & beer. Previous topic includes the dark art of digital marketing
Where: Tramshed Tech
When: Monthly – See upcoming Market Share events
How much: Free
Cardiff Marketing Meetup
Who: Marketing Meetup – Spindogs.
Why: An informal, friendly place for the marketers of Cardiff to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another.
What: Chat over pizza and drinks, inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Where: Spindogs, Cardiff Bay
When: Bi-monthly – see upcoming Marketing Meetup events in Cardiff
How much: Voluntary donation (suggested amount between £5-£15)
Wander & Wonder
Who: Run by Lyanna of Station Road Marketing
Why: Those who want to connect while enjoying nature
What: Q&A with guest speaker, then a walk following by networking and refreshments
Where: Various
When: Monthly, Friday morning 10am-12pm- sign up to be notificed of future events
How much: £15
Good Mornings
Who: Marsden Mee
Why: People who want to connect and feel good while doing good
What: Rejuvenating yoga, inspiring speakers, delicious food and good conversation
Where: Mountain Yoga, Taffs Well
When: Sign up to be notificed of future events
How much: £28
Tramshed Tech events
Who: Run by Tramshed Tech
Why: Mainly those working in tech – some events are limited to Tramshed Tech members
What: Various
Where: Tramshed Tech
When: Ad hoc – see upcoming Tramshed Tech events
How much: Often free
Talk Event
Who: Run by Esther Young from Creatorship & Marie from Marie Palbom Photography.
Why: To network and learn from other creative and product-based businesses.
How: 2 hours of Q&A, networking and cake.
What: Talks to share key insights and knowledge that will help move your business forward while building new connections.
Where: Insole Court, Llandaff
When: Monthly – See upcoming Talk events
How much: £15 – includes cake and refreshments
All-Wales Business Breakfast at the Ivy
Who: Run by EVO Business Club.
Why: EVO members and visitors.
How: Refreshments, networking, speaker/s, intros, 4-way Mastermind and one-to-ones.
What: 7.45-10.15am breakfast and networking.
Where: The Ivy, Cardiff
When: Monthly – See upcoming Evo Cardiff events
How much: £25+
Jigsaw Business Women
Who: A not-for-profit networking group for businesswomen in the Pontypridd and south Wales area.
Why: For support, advice and referrals from other women in the south Wales area.
How: A buffet lunch and networking.
What: A buffet lunch on the first Wednesday of every month from 12.30 – 2.30pm to share news, experiences and referrals
Where: USW Exchange Pontypridd
When: Monthly – First Wednesday of every month except August – See upcoming Jigsaw Business networking events
How much: £8.50-10 for guests and members booking via Eventbrite.
FinTech Wales Networking Breakfasts
Who: Run by Fintech Wales.
Why: Meet and network with fellow fintech professionals and share your plans for 2023.
How: Coffee, pastries and informal networking.
What: A platform to share what you have to offer and understand what support and services are available to your business.
Where: Various – most recently was BizSpace
When: Monthly – See upcoming FinTech Wales Networking events
How much: Free for FinTech Wales members, £10 for non-members
Zokit
Who: Run by a team of business professionals, led by Founding Director Neil Lloyd.
Why: Zokit members and visiting business leaders who are ambitious, purpose led and values driven.
How: Refreshments, networking, short talks, small group networking sessions and one-to-ones.
What: Networking at ‘on location’ events.
Where: Various – most recently was BizSpace
When: Monthly – See upcoming Zokit On-Location Mixer events
How much: £15+
Cardiff Breakfast Club
Who: Run by Effective Communications.
Why: For attendees from all sectors to come and meet new people and build new networks.
How: 7.30am-9.30am: Drinks, networking, talk and Q&A, then cooked breakfast.
What: Breakfast meetings with high-profile speakers from varied business backgrounds.
Where: SSE Swalec Stadium
When: See upcoming events
How much: £TBC
Introbiz Networking breakfasts
Who: Run by Introbiz a professional but ‘human’ business network.
Why: To network, collaborate and expand your professional connections.
How: Online Power group sessions
What: 1 hour meetings.
Where: Various.
When: Weekly – See upcoming Introbiz networking events
How much: Free for members and first-time guests
Cardiff Business Club
Who: Run by the Cardiff Business Club board
Why: To connect with decision makers from across the private, public and charitable sectors to support and promote your business.
How: Networking and refreshments followed by 1-1.5 hour lecture and Q&A. After-lecture dinner for members only.
What: Previous speakers include Professor Laura McAllister, Carolyn Fairbairn and Liz Nicholl.
Where: Usually the Hilton Hotel
When: Monthly – See upcoming Cardiff Business Club events
How much: Free (for lecture and networking)
FSB Wales
Who: Run by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Why: For small business advice, support and guidance.
How: Networking and an opportunity for intros.
What: Generally morning events, 9.15-11am
Where: Various
When: Ad hoc – See upcoming FSB networking events
Chambers Wales SESWM Regional Networking Breakfasts
Who: Run by Chambers Wales.
Why: To meet like minded business’, develop new connections and hear from industry experts.
How: Breakfast events shaped by members.
What: Networking breakfast, 8-10am
Where: Clockwise Cardiff
When: Monthly – See upcoming events
How much: Free for Members, £20+VAT for non-members
3rd Thursday Club
Who: Held at Park Plaza.
Why: Welcomes bankers, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors etc
How: Bar tab covered by a different sponsor each month.
What: Informal drinks from 5.30pm
Where: Park Plaza Cardiff
When: Monthly (Typically in January, February, March, April, May, June, September & October) – get added to the mailing list to receive invites
How much: Not published
CIPD Wales
Who: Run by CIPD Wales.
Why: To network and learn from HR professionals in Wales.
How: Usually 3-4 hours in the morning.
What: Panels, short talks, networking.
Where: Village Hotel/ voco St David’s Hotel
When: See upcoming CIPD events
How much: Free