A New Kind of Networking (With Wine Pairings)

If you make a habit of going to affairs billed as "networking events", you kind of know what to expect: a room full of business casual types making awkward small talk and attempting to foist their business cards on each other appropos of nothing. It's like LinkedIn became an actual place for a few hours. Corey Auger of CORE Consulting is attempting to change that with his CORE Collaborative Providence Dining Tour on Friday, February 7 from 5:30-10pm. Attendees will have the chance to check out the new Hatch Enterpreneurial Center in Downtown and enjoy a wine tasting while mingling with other professionals and business people. Then, it's all aboard the Experience RI shuttle bus to go on a three-stop dining tour of the city. Appetizers will be served at the Southern-influenced Succotash, followed by a hearty Italian dinner at Federal Hill legend Angelo's, and finally dessert at Pastiche. It's a unique opportunity to network in a setting that's a little more intimate and fosters actual conversation and camaraderie, instead of the usual stilted icebreakers and cocktail mixers. The cost is $60 per person (including the tour, food and gratuity), which is a steal for a Friday night of dinner and drinks. Maybe you'll even make a new connection.