How to build meaningful connections, confidently ask for what they need, and turn networking into real opportunities.About this Event
Time & Location
May 20, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
The Social Cork, 887 Gold Hill Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29708, USA
ABOUT THE EVENT
We have a blend of networking, personal development and women's empowerment.
Timeline:
5:30-6:15pm - networking with other ladies, featured businesses
6:15 pm - Featured Speaker's talk, followed by a presentation from the featured nonprofit and event sponsor
7:15 - networking, connection with other ladies, featured businesses
Assertive, Intentional Networking That Produces Real OpportunitiesDescription:
This session teaches professionals how to:
* build meaningful connections,
*confidently ask for what they need,
*and turn networking into real opportunities.
Attendees will learn how to:
* introduce themselves clearly,
*move conversations beyond surface-level small talk,
*and strategically ask for referrals, introductions, and collaborations.
Participants will walk away with practical networking strategies they can apply immediately, while also learning how to build long-term professional relationships that support their growth.
3 Key Takeaways:
*A simple framework for introducing yourself with clarity and confidence so people immediately understand your value and remember what you do.
*How to have more intentional networking conversations that uncover opportunities for referrals, collaborations, and strategic partnerships.
*How to confidently ask for the next step, including introductions, referrals, or follow-up meetings, so networking leads to real opportunities, not just exchanged business cards.
About the Featured Speaker:
Dana Alfirevic is a networking expert, entrepreneur, and founder of Charlotte Networking Knowledge, a networking community and coaching platform that helps small business owners and professionals grow their businesses, attract clients, and build high-value relationships through strategic networking.
Dana has over 13 years of professional networking experience. She moved to three different cities as a young woman, knowing no one, with no job and no existing network, and successfully rebuilt her network from scratch each time.
She became Top Producer at her commercial real estate firm within 6 months of moving to Texas, has been recognized as a Top 30 Under 30 Future Leader, and has formed partnerships with multimillion-dollar companies.
After moving to Charlotte in 2024 with no local network, Dana turned that experience into purpose. Since launching Charlotte Networking Knowledge, she has hosted over 100 events, creating engaging, relationship-driven experiences that make networking fun, authentic, and accessible, especially for introverts and those new to building connections.
She is also the author of How to Effectively Network for Those Afraid to Put Themselves Out There and Modern Networking Strategies, both rooted in her personal journey of building confidence through connection.
Event Sponsor
Rose Plesz,
Independent Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics
Event Venue
The Social Cork, 887 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, United States
Tickets
USD 7.18
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.