Twin Cities Networking Events (May 15-31)

Art-A-Whirl isn't the only thing happening this month! Learn more and meet new people!

May 15, 2026

Hi friends — quick THANK YOU for all the love and shares the last few months. This newsletter has grown so much, and at this pace we’ll probably hit 6,000 subscribers by the end of summer (!). Special thanks to Maggie | The Weekend Edit and MN Women in AI for sending over a lot of subscribers!

Happy Art-A-Whirl weekend! If you’ve been meaning to get out and wander, this is your sign. Northeast is basically one giant open-house for artists (plus food, music, and people-watching). Let’s do it.

🎨 The main event: Art-A-Whirl (May 15–17)

Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the country — 1,600+ artists across 100+ locations in Northeast Minneapolis. Free to attend, easy to customize (you can go full “all day adventure” or just pop in for an hour).

Hours

Fri, May 15: 5–10 PM
Sat, May 16: 12–8 PM
Sun, May 17: 12–5 PM

How to do Art-A-Whirl without getting overwhelmed

Pick 1–2 “anchor” buildings (then wander nearby)
Wear comfy shoes + bring a tote (you will want to buy something)
Save your parking sanity: park once, walk a bunch
Talk to the artists — even a quick “what are you working on lately?” makes it more fun
If you buy art: snap a pic of the artist/business card so you remember who made it

My suggested “easy win” stops

Northrup King Building (stacked with studios + very wander-friendly)
NEMAA’s site list + activities (to plan demos, interactive stuff, and family-friendly stops)

Bonus: add a music stop (because why not?)

If your Art-A-Whirl vibe includes a drink + live music, Whirlygig at Indeed Brewing runs the same weekend (May 15–17).

What it is: a three-day music + art party at Indeed Brewing
Where: Indeed Brewing (711 NE 15th Ave, Minneapolis)

📅 Upcoming events (May 15–31)

Tue, May 19 — AI panel + networking

TCB Talks: AI Unleashed — Panel + Networking

🗓 Date & time: Tue, May 19 (3–6 PM)
📍 Location: Minneapolis Club (729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis)
🎯 Who it’s for: curious business owners + leaders who want the real story on AI adoption
🎉 Vibe: smart, insightful, “let’s discuss what’s actually working”
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://tcbmag.com/events/ai26/

Tue, May 19 — Young professionals meetup + happy hour

Young Professionals of Minneapolis — Monthly Meeting & Happy Hour

🗓 Date & time: Tue, May 19 (6–8 PM)
📍 Location: Eat Street Crossing (2819 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis)
🎯 Who it’s for: anyone looking to meet other young professionals + build community
🎉 Vibe: friendly, casual, “new connections without weird pressure”
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.ypminneapolis.org/events/monthly-member-meeting-happy-hour

Tue, May 19 — Women Leading in Technology (MnTech)

Women Leading in Technology (WLiT)

🗓 Date & time: Tue, May 19 (4:30–7:30 PM)
📍 Location: Metropolitan Ballroom (5418 W Wayzata Blvd, Golden Valley)
🎯 Who it’s for: women in tech + allies, founders, leaders, and anyone who loves a strong speaker/networking night
🎉 Vibe: polished, celebratory, big “Minnesota tech community” energy
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://mntech.org/event/wlit-202605/

Wed, May 20 — Small Business Networking (Plymouth)

Small Business Networking Group (City of Plymouth)

🗓 Date & time: Wed, May 20 (8:30–10:00 AM)
📍 Location: Plymouth Community Center (Aspen Room), 14800 34th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55447
🎯 Who it’s for: Plymouth-based organizations + entrepreneurs
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 RSVP / info: https://www.plymouthmn.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/20136/2373

May 20th— Builder Workshop: Anthropic Claude Night! (MN Women in AI)

Builder Workshop: Anthropic Claude Night! Test out Claude Code, CoWork, & more

🗓 Date & time: May 20th, 5:30pm-7:30pm
📍 Location: Improving, 3033 Excelsior Blvd #180, Minneapolis, MN 55416
🎯 Who it’s for: intermediate-level builders who want hands-on time with Anthropic’s Claude (Claude Code, CoWork, Connections/Skills)
💵 Pricing: $25 for guests (free for MWAI members)
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://luma.com/wze157vp

Wed, May 20 — Business networking (multi-industry)

Strive Networking — Multi-Vertical Business Networking Minneapolis

🗓 Date & time: Wed, May 20 (6–8 PM)
📍 Location: The Patty Wagon (Minneapolis)
🎯 Who it’s for: people who like meeting a mix of industries (tech/finance/real estate/healthcare/marketing)
🎉 Vibe: energetic, structured mingling
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blockchain-and-business-networking-elevating-your-potential-minneapolis-tickets-1979758763756

Thu, May 21 — Civic-minded leadership celebration

Leadership Twin Cities — 2026 Celebration

🗓 Date & time: Thu, May 21 (lunch hour event)
📍 Location: Basecamp (Minneapolis)
🎯 Who it’s for: community-minded folks, chamber people, nonprofit/business leaders
🎉 Vibe: celebratory + networking
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://business.mplschamber.com/events/details/2026-leadership-twin-cities-celebration-17012

Thu, May 21 — Co-working meetup (WeMN @ The Coven)

WeMN Hosted Event: In-Person Co-Working Meetup

🗓 Date & time: Thu, May 21 (1–3 PM)
📍 Location: The Coven Richfield
🎯 Who it’s for: women entrepreneurs who want a focused work session with community
🎉 Vibe: side-by-side co-working + accountability (not “networking theater”)
💵 Pricing: Not specified on listing (WeMN notes co-working is open to non-members on the events page)
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.wemn.org/events

Thu, May 21 — Strategic networking (Edina)

Minneapolis Business Networking Event — Tipclub (Give & Take format)

🗓 Date & time: Thu, May 21 (8–9:30 AM)
📍 Location: 7700 France Ave S, Bloomington Room (Room 107), Edina
🎯 Who it’s for: solopreneurs + small business owners who want practical connections (not pitchy vibes)
🎉 Vibe: structured networking + quick training, “give a tip + ask for help”
💵 Pricing: Not specified
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/minneapolis-business-networking-event-registration-1986269560725

Thu, May 21 — Tech + AI conference (Tech Con 2026)

Tech Con 2026 (CIT)

🗓 Date & time: Thu, May 21 (8:00 AM–3:45 PM)
📍 Location: DoubleTree Hilton Minneapolis Airport (Bloomington)
🎯 Who it’s for: SMB leaders + execs + tech leaders interested in AI, Zero Trust, and practical tech growthw
🎉 Vibe: conference sessions + workshops + networking
💵 Pricing: Free registration
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.citsolutions.net/tech-con/registration/

Fri, May 22 — Creative community breakfast talk

CreativeMornings MSP — Dan Ibarra

🗓 Date & time: Fri, May 22 (8:30 AM CDT)
📍 Location: Guthrie Theater
🎯 Who it’s for: creatives, founders, marketers, and anyone who wants inspiration + community before work
🎉 Vibe: energizing, thoughtful, “start the day with people”
💵 Pricing: Not specified on listing (CreativeMornings is typically free; check registration)
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://creativemornings.com/cities/msp

Tue, May 26 — CEO strategy workshop + networking (eWomenNetwork)

Navigate Your Next Level: A CEO Strategy for Restoring Momentum and Growth

🗓 Date & time: Tue, May 26 (11:00 AM–2:00 PM)
📍 Location: Midland Hills Country Club (2001 Fulham St, Roseville)
🎯 Who it’s for: founders/CEOs + leaders who feel momentum slowing and want clarity + faster decisions
🎉 Vibe: leadership workshop + networking
💵 Pricing: paid (ticket options vary)
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.ewomennetwork.com/event/navigate-your-next-level-a-ceo-strategy-for-restoring-momentum-and-growth-05-26-2026-11940/register

Wed, May 27 — Co-working meetup (WeMN @ FRGMNT)

WeMN-Hosted Event: In-Person Co-Working Meetup

🗓 Date & time: Wed, May 27 (1–3 PM)
📍 Location: FRGMNT Coffee
🎯 Who it’s for: women entrepreneurs + small biz owners who want to get stuff done around other motivated people
🎉 Vibe: low-pressure productivity + community
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.wemn.org/events

Wed, May 27 — Big entrepreneur day at Union Depot

Entrepreneurs’ Rally XIV: Focus Forward — EO Minnesota

🗓 Date & time: Wed, May 27 (7:45 AM–2:30 PM)
📍 Location: Union Depot (St. Paul)
🎯 Who it’s for: founders + operators who want big-room energy and smart connections
🎉 Vibe: high-impact, conference-style
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneurs-rally-xiv-focus-forward-scaling-with-intention-tickets-1344028749169

Wed, May 27 — Chamber networking (Roseville)

Members Connect — Twin Cities North Chamber (hosted by BRKTHROUGH!!)

🗓 Date & time: Wed, May 27 (4:30–6:00 PM)
📍 Location: BRKTHROUGH at Rosedale Mall (1595 Hwy 36W, Unit 150, Roseville)
🎯 Who it’s for: chamber members + anyone wanting casual business connections
🎉 Vibe: drinks + fun + interactive gaming + networking
💵 Pricing: Free for Twin Cities North Chamber members
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://business.twincitiesnorth.org/events/details/members-connect-sponsored-by-brkthrough-15191?calendarMonth=2026-05-01

Thu, May 28 — Career + entrepreneurship workshop (TeamWomen)

Build What’s Next: Step Beyond Traditional Roles, and Build Something of Your Own!

🗓 Date & time: Thu, May 28 (7:30–9:30 AM)
📍 Location: MRA – The Management Association (Golden Valley)
🎯 Who it’s for: anyone in a “what’s next?” season — career pivots, leaders, and aspiring founders
🎉 Vibe: morning workshop + practical inspiration + growth-minded people
💵 Pricing: $40–$60
🔗 RSVP / sign-up: https://teamwomenmn.org/event/build-whats-next-step-beyond-traditional-roles-and-build-something-of-your-own/

If you missed it last week, I did a full podcast episode with John Arms over on my other substack, The Optimization Toolbox. I highly recommend listening to it if you are in job transition or want to learn more about Fractional work!