Professional Speaking
Meet other local people interested in Professional Speaking: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Professional Speaking group.
76,651
members
110
groups
Largest Professional Speaking groups
Newest Professional Speaking groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out professional speaking events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the professional speaking events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find professional speaking events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Professional Speaking Events Today
Join in-person Professional Speaking events happening right now
Chicago Tech Mixer and Social (Tech / AI / Data) đťđ⨠Chicago Connect
**Join us at our TECH MIXER AND SOCIAL for afterwork drinks, networking with tech workers in Chicago and meet people from Chicago and all over the world đđ**
Tech, AI, Data, and more \~
Whether you're a seasoned tech veteran or just starting out, let's create the ideal afterwork place to meet and chill with other workers in tech - find that new job, expand your network, share ideas, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. Let's inspire, innovate, and shape the future of technology in Chicago!
đşđĽ Afterwork drinks
đ **Hopsmith Tavern** \- 15 W Division St\, Chicago
đ **5:30pm** onwards **every** **Friday**
đŤ just $4 entry online or $8 at the door! (helps us to run the event inc. Meetup costs etc!)
đ [Link to Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1379224400309?aff=meetup)
WhatsApp community in the Eventbrite link above
*Chicago tech social mixer afterwork drinks AI connect network data IT programming cybersecurity digital nomad blockchain crypto big data science computer networking community career jobs entrepreneur industry product design startup Chicago tech social mixer afterwork drinks AI connect network data IT programming cybersecurity digital nomad blockchain crypto big data science computer networking community career jobs entrepreneur industry product design startup*z
FREE Friday Workout!
Join us in Millennium Park for a **FREE** workout at The Bean. We are an inclusive workout group with chapters throughout the world. Whether you are a multi-marathon runner or a mom just getting back into the swing of things, and everything in between, we only ask of everyone to **#JustShowUp!**
LinnĂŠ Post Drop Off Hang - Mondays/Fridays
Come join other parents after drop off at The People's Cafe!
Talk school shop on all the happenings, events and current events. Parents go through very similar experiences and it's great to connect to your school community.
Mondays and Fridays after drop off!
D&D Campaign Day
Looking for a spot to run your D&D campaign? We have a great table ready to host!
We are keeping the time open for you to choose what works for you and your players. Reach out with any questions or suggestions!
Zemi Coffee offers a wide range of drink options from coffee, to tea, to hot chocolate. Along with Puerto Rican empanadas and pastries to fuel your players!
Email [email protected] with any questions!
Professional Speaking Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Board Game Night (Portillo's)
Hey all, join super-fun local young professionals in popular social games!
Most regulars do not RSVP, so the attendee number is usually 5 to 15 people higher than meetup is showing you.
Feel free to bring your own games!
Please also make sure to BUY FOOD to support the venue for welcoming us.
NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK, please.
We strive to make our events a safe space for everyone! Please make sure to familiarize yourself with our code of conduct at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rezt1cb6K_K0IJO4KodfM0NNNeEhoSq9M24aWaWIq-s/edit?usp=sharing
We look forward to meeting you!
Sunday Morning Coffee and Write
Welcome to West Loop Writers!
Sunday morning, we will meet up and write from 9-10:30 a.m. at Sawada coffee shop. (Sawada is the slightly hidden coffee shop that connects with Green Street Meats). Bring your laptop, or even better a pen and an old fashioned notebook, and write with us.
At 10:30 we will break from writing, introduce ourselves and what we're working on if the spirit moves us. We have people working on all types of writing, from nonfiction to kids' books and novels.
From there itâs up to you to embrace the serendipity of finding fellow writers to network with! For now I will answer questions about self publishing individually but we arenât doing any speakers or anything (yet).
Boxing For Breakfast
Join Golden Glove Champ and Pro Judge Andrew for a fun and informative group boxing class at a real MMA gym. It takes a couple minutes to prep, so try to arrive no later than 8:45am sign-in! $20 for meetup members ($30 normally)
đ Before and After, an instant theatre production (improv drama) đ
*Before and After, an instant drama*
**Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM, January 30-February 21**
Life is defined in moments. *Before and After* explores the story leading to a life-changing event and the impact of that instant on all that is to follow. Are we truly changed by the big moments in our lives, or are we only revealed? No two performances are ever the same, but every show is an instant drama created before your eyes.
Theatre Momentum is the **only** theatre in Chicago dedicated to dramatic improvisation. Join us for a night of grounded instant theatre.
Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM (doors open at 7 PM)
January 30-February 21
All tickets $5!
Studio Momentum, 1541 W Belmont Ave
### **Get your tickets!**
**[https://www.theatremomentum.com/shows](https://www.theatremomentum.com/shows)**
đ Before and After, an instant theatre production (improv drama) đ
*Before and After, an instant drama*
**Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM, January 30-February 21**
Life is defined in moments. *Before and After* explores the story leading to a life-changing event and the impact of that instant on all that is to follow. Are we truly changed by the big moments in our lives, or are we only revealed? No two performances are ever the same, but every show is an instant drama created before your eyes.
Theatre Momentum is the **only** theatre in Chicago dedicated to dramatic improvisation. Join us for a night of grounded instant theatre.
Fridays/Saturdays, 7:30 PM (doors open at 7 PM)
January 30-February 21
All tickets $5!
Studio Momentum, 1541 W Belmont Ave
### **Get your tickets!**
**[https://www.theatremomentum.com/shows](https://www.theatremomentum.com/shows)**
âŞđ Bells, Stone & Sky: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel Carillon Tower Tour đď¸â¨
âŞđ **Bells, Stone & Sky: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel Carillon Tower Tour** đď¸â¨
đż *An extraordinary afternoon inside one of Chicagoâs most iconic Gothic landmarks* â¨
Join us for a rare and unforgettable guided visit and **carillon tower tour** at **Rockefeller Memorial Chapel**, one of the most magnificent collegiate Gothic buildings in the world and a crown jewel of the University of Chicago campus.
This special experience begins with an introduction to the chapelâs history and architecture before taking us **inside the tower itself** â offering an up-close look at the mighty carillon bells, the inner workings of the instrument, and breathtaking views from above.
This is a **stationary guided visit and tower tour** (not a walking tour), but it *does* involve stair climbing â allowing us to focus deeply on **architecture, engineering, music, and vertical exploration** in a truly unique setting.
Expect soaring stone vaults, massive bronze bells, mechanical marvels, a live music demonstration, and panoramic skyline and lake views. â¨
***
**đ°ď¸ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost**
đ
**Sunday, February 15, 2026**
â° **1:00â3:00 PM**
đ **Rockefeller Memorial Chapel** 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago
âąď¸ **Visit length:** \~90 minutes
đ¤ **Private guided chapel & carillon tower tour**
đ° **$15 per person**
đľ Cash strongly preferred (Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted)
â ď¸ All attendees must **check in with me at the start** and submit payment directly so I can provide **one group donation** to the chapel.
đ¸ Photography is allowed â please be respectful and follow any guidance from our hosts.
***
**đ What Weâll Experience**
⪠Rockefeller Memorial Chapelâs awe-inspiring Gothic interior
đ Introduction to the chapelâs history, architecture, and musical legacy
đď¸ Behind-the-scenes access to the carillon tower
đ°ď¸ The towerâs mechanical room and historic regulator clock
đ Up-close views of the **72-bell carillon** (over **100 tons of bronze**)
đś A live demonstration of how the carillon is played
đď¸ The playing cabin where the carillonist performs
đ Seasonal **360-degree views** from the top of tower *(weather/university permitting)*
***
**đ Stair Climbing & Accessibility Note**
This tour involves climbing **271 steps**, roughly equivalent to **20â22 stories**. The staircase is a **narrow spiral with no elevator**, and the experience may not be suitable for those who are afraid of heights or claustrophobic, or for anyone with knee issues, mobility concerns, or difficulty with stair climbing.
We ascend at a **leisurely pace with multiple breaks**, and there is no pressure to reach the top. Participants are welcome to turn back at any point.
Guests who choose not to climb (or who stop early) may remain on the main floor and still enjoy the **carillon playing demonstration via live video and audio feed**.
***
**đ About Rockefeller Memorial Chapel**
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel was funded by **John D. Rockefeller Jr.** as a memorial to his father, **John D. Rockefeller Sr.**, the principal benefactor of the University of Chicago. Designed by renowned architect **Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue**, the chapel was completed in **1928** and stands as one of the finest examples of **collegiate Gothic Revival architecture** in the United States.
Conceived as a **non-denominational sacred space**, the chapel reflects medieval English cathedral influences combined with early 20th-century American craftsmanship, serving as a symbolic and spiritual anchor of the university.
***
**đ About the Carillon Tower Tour**
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel houses **one of the largest carillons in the world**, consisting of **72 massive bronze bells**. The largest bell weighs **36,926 pounds** and measures **117 inches in diameter**.
The tour begins with a **10â15 minute introduction** on the main floor, covering the chapelâs history, architecture, and the role of the carillon. From there, participants ascend the tower via a **271-step spiral staircase**, taken at a relaxed pace with frequent stops.
Along the way, we will:
⢠Walk above the chapelâs false ceiling (attic catwalk)
⢠Pass through the mechanical room housing the original regulator clock and pneumatic chime system
⢠Stand beside the largest bells
⢠Enter the playing cabin, where the carillonist performs using hands and feet
Beyond the cabin, a short additional staircase leads to the top of the tower, where sweeping views of **Chicagoâs skyline, Lake Michigan, northern Indiana, and the University of Chicago campus** are visible *in season and when permitted*.
***
**đ˝ď¸ Optional Coffee or Late Lunch After the Visit**
Those interested are welcome to join me afterward at a nearby Hyde Park favorite such as **Medici**, **Noodles Etc.**, or **Salonica Restaurant**.
đ˝ď¸ Options will be finalized closer to the date.
â ď¸ Please bring cash â some venues may not split checks.
***
**đ What to Bring / Wear**
⢠Camera
⢠Comfortable shoes (stairs!)
⢠Respectful attire
⢠$15 tour fee (exact change appreciated)
***
**đ Getting There**
Public transportation is encouraged.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
[https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/](https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/)
***
**đ Parking**
⢠Limited street parking nearby (check posted signs)
⢠University area can be busy â arriving early is recommended
⢠SpotHero or ParkWhiz may be helpful
***
**đ RSVP & No-Show Policy**
âď¸ Please keep your RSVP updated
âď¸ Cancel promptly if plans change
â Repeated no-shows may affect future event participation
***
â¨đ **Join us for a rare opportunity to explore sacred architecture, musical engineering, and sky-high views â all inside one of Chicagoâs most extraordinary landmarks.**
Let's Try Boxing For Breakfast
Join Golden Glove Champ and Pro Judge Andrew for a fun and informative group boxing class at a real MMA gym. It takes a couple minutes to prep, so try to arrive no later than 8:45am sign-in! $20 for meetup members ($30 normally)
Professional Speaking Events Near You
Connect with your local Professional Speaking community
POC & Pour: The Evolution of Customer Service - Speech-to-Speech Gen AI
**Curious about how Voice AI works and how organizations are leveraging it?**
Join us for our next community session as we discuss this evolution and showcase a **live proof-of-concept** in the space. Weâll explore the business, process, and technical considerations with a touch of real-world application.
**Come for the insights, stay for the connections.** Appetizers and drinks will be provided.
**Hosted at Parivedaâs Chicago office** â an inspiring space within the historic Civic Opera Building.
**Agenda:**
* **5:30 - 5:45 PM:** Arrival, Food & Drinks, Networking
* **5:45 - 6:15 PM:** Presentation & Live POC Demo: Evolution of Customer Service - Speech-to-Speech Gen AI
* **6:15 - 6:45 PM:** Expert Q&A and Discussion
* **6:45 PM - 7:00 PM:** Continued Networking & Drinks
(HYBRID) The Subliminal Ideology of the Capitalist Mind
This presentation challenges the common tendency to treat ideology as a pejorative label reserved for explicit doctrines or political positions. Instead, ideology is examined as a pervasive and often unavoidable feature of human social lifeâone that operates largely beneath conscious awareness and shapes interpretation, judgment, and moral reasoning in subtle but powerful ways. The presentation reformulates ideology as a cultural and social phenomenon, offering a more empirically grounded account than conventional, belief-centered definitions.
Building on this reformulation, the analysis makes the case for studying capitalism not only as an economic arrangement, but as a pervasive and often subliminal cultural ideology. It introduces original conceptual tools that make visible a cultural process through which market values increasingly displace human values under capitalismâs expansive cultural influence. While it is widely recognized that capitalism affects social and psychological life, this account examines how capitalist ideology spreads through cultural practices, embeds itself within ethical reasoning, and comes to organize moral evaluation around market imperatives. The discussion raises a central question: whether a market-oriented ideological environment can genuinely sustain humane moral frameworks, or whether ethical reasoning must first recognize how capitalist ideology has captured cultural processes in order to reclaim intentionality and reorient moral life around human values and human well-being, rather than relying on the hope that market priorities will incidentally serve them.
**Judah Venturi**
Judah Venturi is an independent philosopher and writer whose work engages contemporary social and cultural conditions through sustained philosophical analysis. Drawing from philosophy alongside psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, sociology, and economic theory, his writing examines ideology, capitalism, and moral reasoning at a fundamental level, seeking to move beneath surface-level explanations and short-term solutions. He is currently developing a book that introduces original concepts for understanding how capitalism operates as a pervasive cultural force shaping values and ethical judgment. In addition to this work, Venturi is actively publishing essays and presenting his ideas through public lectures and interviews, contributing to a growing body of contemporary philosophical discourse.
**Join Zoom Meeting**
[https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83984283081?pwd=pDQEeWHCvVNPiazdLF34pU1S8gcaQ0.1](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83984283081?pwd%3DpDQEeWHCvVNPiazdLF34pU1S8gcaQ0.1&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2XOMB6Dlz_W0X1cqZUURcz) View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion [https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=a3d6e67c-ecb3-4486-8205-58ed25a08888](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid%3Da3d6e67c-ecb3-4486-8205-58ed25a08888&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0d9hz5EKd4epEXBuUb0DRM) Meeting ID: 839 8428 3081 Passcode: 005807 --- One tap mobile +13126266799,,83984283081#,,,,\*005807# US (Chicago) +13092053325,,83984283081#,,,,\*005807# US --- Join by SIP ⢠[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) Join instructions [https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/83984283081/invitations?signature=2zvQs4eN6zUITnjhUTgCE_GZj8uoSVr_kGSKLFYf4N0](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/83984283081/invitations?signature%3D2zvQs4eN6zUITnjhUTgCE_GZj8uoSVr_kGSKLFYf4N0&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3N4X9FCdRBwzgTT0lptQ-f)
Young Professionals SIG Mixer
Kick off your New Year networking on the 67th floor in the sky! Join us from 4:30-7 PM at The Metropolitan Club to mix and mingle with other young professional groups in the city. Bring your business cards! Light bites and drinks will be served.
Drop-in anytime 4:30-7 PM, but we ask all guest arrive by 6 PM for security purposes.
***Register here for this event:*** [https://pw3scoc.wildapricot.org/event-6542792](https://pw3scoc.wildapricot.org/event-6542792)
**About PWCC**
[Professional Womenâs Club of Chicago](http://pwcc.org/) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and elevating women professionals across industries and career stages. PWCC creates space for learning, leadership development, and authentic connection. Our community is built on shared growth, generosity, and the belief that women thrive when they support one another.
Say It Right or Lose Them: The Power of Your First Sentence
**Your First Seven Seconds**
*FREE 1\-hour interactive webinar \| Business & Leadership Growth Series*
Most capable professionals arenât overlooked because they lack skill or credibility.
Theyâre overlooked because they canât explain what they do **clearly and quickly**.
In business conversations, networking, sales calls, and leadership moments, people decide fast:
*âIs this relevant to me?â*
If the answer isnât obvious, attention disappears.
This practical webinar with **Dr Edward Klinger** shows why clarity â not confidence â determines whether people lean in or tune out, and how to fix it using a simple, repeatable framework.
\#\#\# What youâll learn
* Why clarity beats competence in first impressions
* A 3-part one-liner framework that works across roles and industries
* How to articulate your real value without sounding vague or generic
* Why strong positioning opens doors â and where most people go wrong
This is **not** a networking or personal branding session.
Itâs about clarity, positioning, and decision-making impact.
\#\#\# Event details
đ 60 minutes \| đť Live interactive webinar \| đˇ FREE
Youâll leave with a sharper one-liner, a practical framework, and a clearer understanding of how to make every conversation work harder for you.
Free to attend. Limited spaces.
The Financial Freedom Club Meetup Group supports the policies and principles of Meetup. We make no guarantees and we do not offer financial services or assurances. Your results will reflect the time, effort, and consistency you put into applying what you learn. All our workshops are free to attend.
đď¸âď¸ Chicago Creative Professionals Visit the Architecture Museum
\*Tickets are $15 for entry to the museum.\*
Letâs step back and look *up*. Join Chicago Creative Professionals for a group visit to the Chicago Architecture Museum, where weâll explore the stories, systems, and bold ideas that literally built this city.
This is a relaxed, social outingâcome wander the exhibits, nerd out over design details, and connect with fellow creatives who appreciate good structure (both architectural *and* conversational). Whether youâre in design, tech, writing, marketing, or just architecture-curious, this is a great chance to get inspired together.
**What to expect:**
* Thoughtfully designed exhibits and city-scale ideas
* Casual conversation and creative cross-pollination
Tickets are $15 for entry to the museum.
Tech Connect SIG: Real Talk on AI with CEO of A-Human-I
*Join us for the new **Tech Connect SIG**'s first event!*
From Fortune 500 enterprises to entrepreneurial start-ups, artificial intelligence is transforming the way we lead, make decisions, and grow our organizations. In this engaging session, Colleen Campbell, CEO of A-Human-I and AI Strategist shares a pragmatic look at what AI means for leaders today. Youâll learn the hype from reality, what capabilities truly matter, and how to prepare yourself, your team, and your business to use AI responsibly and strategically in the next few years.
***Register here for this event:*** [https://pw3scoc.wildapricot.org/event-6438384](https://pw3scoc.wildapricot.org/event-6438384)
**Colleen Campbell** is the CEO of A-Human-I, a boutique consulting firm that helps executives build AI strategies, operating models, and workforces. With over 25 years of experience leading enterprise transformation, Colleen has led practices generating up to $68 million in revenue and guided mid to Fortune 500 clients across industries such as energy, insurance, manufacturing, technology, and consumer products. Her work focuses on AI strategy, governance, and workforce transformation to help organizations align people, process, and technology to capture value from AI responsibly. Known for blending strategic realism with human-centered leadership, Colleen brings a strategic, innovative and approachable voice to our AI future.
**About PWCC**
[Professional Womenâs Club of Chicago](http://pwcc.org/) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and elevating women professionals across industries and career stages. PWCC creates space for learning, leadership development, and authentic connection. Our community is built on shared growth, generosity, and the belief that women thrive when they support one another.
**Logistics**: Those driving can access the building's garage on the Clark Street side. Upon entering the garage, hold onto the parking slip you receive. There will be validation stickers inside which you can affix to your parking slip for a discounted rate upon exit.






























