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When I started this group, it was just a passion project to help bring local professionals connect. Today, thanks to you, it has grown into one of RVA’s premier networking communities.

I can’t take all the credit.  Our incredible members made this happen by sharing my vision, inviting their networks, and showing up with enthusiasm month after month.

What I’m most proud of is that even with all our growth, we’ve stayed true to our core: a fun, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming approach to networking that keeps getting better.

I’m excited to share a look back at our first year. It’s truly been an amazing journey — and we’re just getting started.

What’s Happening RVA – 2025 Year-End Highlights

·         800+ members reached in just 12 months

We’ve already passed 250+ RSVPs, our sponsors are providing a complimentary holiday spread, and the venue’s warm, festive atmosphere will make it an especially great night to connect, catch up, and meet new people.

As always, guests are welcome. Feel free to invite your network and help us spread the word.

Event Details

 📍 Atlas 42 – 4032 Cox Rd, Ste A, Glen Allen, VA 23060

 📅 Dec 10th

Big news, What’s Happening RVA community! 𝗪𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 and we're so excited to share a preview of our elegant new space at 𝗙𝗼𝗴𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼.

This new venue is a huge upgrade—it's bigger, quieter, and the perfect place to connect and grow. Best of all, it's only two blocks from our old spot, so you'll have no trouble finding it. Getting here is even easier now with a free parking deck just steps away.

This move marks an exciting new chapter for our group. With over 250 RSVPs already, it's clear we made the right choice at the perfect time. We're ready to provide an even better experience for all of you!

We can't wait to see you there. Bring your colleagues and connections along—the more, the merrier!

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whats-happening-rva-networking-group-tickets-1111839244109?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=email&utm_medium=sparkpost&utm_campaign=postpublish

You spoke, and I listened. The feedback from our recent poll was clear: 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲. I took your top priorities to heart—location, parking, noise, atmosphere, and room to grow—and am thrilled to announce our new home!

Our date and time will remain the same, but starting September 10th, our events will be held at Fogo de Chão, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

This beautiful, upscale venue checks all the boxes:

 ✅ Space to comfortably host 300+ people

 ✅A free parking deck entrance just steps away

 ✅A vibrant atmosphere with better noise levels for networking 

We did it, RVA! 𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗩𝗔 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁! We completely took over the venue, and the energy was unbelievable.

Despite the huge turnout, the group’s welcoming and high-energy vibe was still front and center. Seeing the connections being made and sharing that historic moment with all of you was truly euphoric. Our official "end time" came and went, but the networking didn't stop for over 4.5 hours!

This event's success is due to our amazing community. Thank you for helping build this unique and crazy group and our events where everyone feels welcome. Your attendance and support are helping us grow. 

As a result of our amazing success, I'm starting the search for a new, larger venue that will keep the convenient location, easy parking, and great food & drinks we all love.

September 10th will be our next event (or should I…

1️⃣ week to go, 2️⃣00+ RSVPs, 3️⃣ hours of high-energy networking, and 4️⃣0% more event space!!!! That’s the 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗩𝗔 1234 formula for an amazing event, and yes, it’s 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘! Join us on Aug 13th. We kick things off at 𝟰 𝗣𝗠.

Our events are 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱, 𝗳𝘂𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 with professionals from all industries and titles, so you’re guaranteed to make valuable connections.

And about those 3 hours? People show up early, stay late, and keep the conversations going. 😊

I had too much fun creating the video for this post. LOL 

If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, now’s the time! Here’s the invite Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whats-happening-rva-networking-group-tickets-1111839244109?aff=oddtdtcreator

At What's Happening RVA's monthly gatherings, we feature hours of informal networking, plus a dedicated 10 minutes for Members' Spotlight. This gives two members the stage to introduce themselves and their business to the entire group.

And what's a fun gathering without prizes? We follow up the spotlights with a raffle before diving back into making great connections. It’s a simple, effective way to make new connections in a relaxed environment.

We proudly present our August Spotlight Speakers:

Tom Nation with Arcus Consultants:

Arcus Consultants is a strategic IT consulting and project management firm dedicated to helping organizations make informed technology buying decisions. Arcus offers a comprehensive lifecycle approach encompassing auditing, procurement, implementation, and ongoing support for IT services. By merging their proprietary Technology Lifecycle and Practice Areas with extensive industry experience, Arcus aims to save clients valuable time and money.

What's Happening RVA Professional Networking Group Richmond, VA

Spotlight: John Morse and the Rapid Rise of What’s Happening RVA

We had the pleasure of catching up with John Morse, the visionary behind What’s Happening RVA—now the fastest-growing networking group in Central Virginia. With a contagious energy and a clear passion for community-building, John shared the journey behind the group’s impressive momentum.

Where It All Began

Before launching What’s Happening RVA, John served as president of another networking group, WHIMBY, which unfortunately had to close due to rising costs. But instead of letting that be the end, John saw an opportunity. “I listened carefully to what members valued—what worked, what didn’t, what they truly wanted,” he recalls. Armed with those insights and a desire to keep the connections alive, he created a new space that could grow and welcome even more people into the fold.

An Icy Start with a Warm…