Networking events in Gothenburg in December 2024
Maria Petrescu
Multilingual Digital Strategist & Growth Hacker / Speaker / I specialize in competitor analysis & digital marketing / Problem solver extraordinaire
Final edition of the year! As expected, this edition is not nearly as rich as last month's. Everyone is getting ready for the holidays, things are closing up, and the bulk of the events are afterwork, Christmas parties, and the such.
A much more relaxed atmosphere, generally, than previous months of the year. One of the goals I'm trying to achieve with this newsletter is to give you all the tools you need to network successfully, so after getting quite a few messages asking for advice about what language to speak, what to do, how to overcome anxiety, I decided to ask the experts.
For this edition I asked Swedish language teachers Bojana Begovic and Natalia Akkouzina , founders of Swedish Like A Native┃Swedish That Sticks—From Studying to Speaking with Confidence for their 3 top tips regarding communication. They have many years of teaching experience between them, and really know what they're talking about. This month is perfect to put new advice into practice, as the events are quite casual and friendly.
Body Language
The importance of body language is often underestimated and forgotten, even though 80% of communication is non-verbal. We subconsciously read each other when we meet new people. The most important thing is to make eye contact when you meet someone for the first time. If you find it scary or uncomfortable, imagine that the person in front of you is one of your friends. You haven’t seen each other in a while and have a lot to talk about. It works. We promise!
Which language should you choose?
If you can’t decide which language to use (Swedish or English), our best tip is to choose the language that you and your conversation partner are most comfortable with. If you only speak English, go with that. If you can speak both Swedish and English and notice that your conversation partner is struggling, switch to Swedish instead. After you’re done talking, your conversation partner won’t remember how good or flawless your Swedish was. Instead, they will remember the feeling: "What a nice person! I’d love to meet/talk to them again." Don’t forget - it’s about communication, not perfection!
Don't draw attention to your insecurities
Avoid talking about and apologizing for something you think you’re not good at (e.g., your Swedish) - Remember: Networking and mingling is not a COMPETITION but a TEAM EFFORT! Never say: "Urs?kta f?r min svenska. / Min svenska ?r inte s? bra. / Jag kan inte s? mycket svenska." Don’t comment on this at all. And don’t be stingy with compliments and praise for your conversation partner.
NOTE! BUT ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT. Otherwise, it sounds fake. In situations where your conversation partner has difficulty accepting your compliment, you can say: "Jag menar VERKLIGEN det." Then you’ll be seen as a positive and honest person.
EVENTS LIST
Coding Dojo with GbgCpp - December 9 / 18:00 PM - 21:00 PM
Host: Zenseact
What is it? A GbgCpp meetup featuring the latest C++ standard updates, a Meeting C++ trip report, and a collaborative coding dojo—complete with snacks, networking, and plenty of learning opportunities.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/gbgcpp/events/304609009
Public speaking - ENGLISH - December 9 / 18:15 PM - 20:30 PM
Topic: A toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/gothenburg-toastmasters/events/304018861
Mystery Coffee - December 10 / 15:00 PM onward
What is it? A networking coffee chat for Life Science professionals, where you're randomly matched with two others to exchange ideas and explore collaborations.
More info and registration: https://en-gb.eu.invajo.com/event/gocohealthinnovationcity/mysterycoffee.2
Gl?ggmingel and crafts - December 10 / 17:30 PM - 20:00 PM
Host: Carasent Group
What is it? A festive end-of-year gl?gg mingle for UX enthusiasts, complete with warm drinks, tasty treats, crafts, and plenty of holiday cheer.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/lets-talk-about-ux/events/304916460
Advent of Code Meetup ???? - December 10 / 18:00 PM - 21:00 PM
Host: Advent of Code - Eric Wastl
What is it? A coding meetup for Advent of Code enthusiasts to solve puzzles, share solutions, snack, and connect with fellow programmers.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/webbhuset/events/304559966
WomeNspiring Women - Clarifying your purpose - December 10 / 18:00 PM - 20:00 PM
What is it? A free evening workshop for women on clarifying purpose, embracing strengths, and fostering authentic growth, with talks, activities, and discussions at The EXP Hub.
Speaker: Sarah Wills Carlsson
More info and registration: https://www.nspir.se/event-details/womenspiring-women-clarifying-your-purpose
Julfrukost om 'Banbrytande Ledarskap: F?renar, F?rnyar, F?r?ndrar' - December 11 / 7:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Topics: En julfrukost om banbrytande ledarskap, med fokus p? h?llbarhet, inspirerande f?rel?sningar, workshops och n?tverkande.
Speakers: Lotta G?the , Johan Holmén
More info and registration: https://www.yesboxgoteborg.se/kalender/julfrukost-om-banbrytande-ledarskap-forenar-fornyar-forandrar
Let’s celebrate the holiday season together! - December 11 / 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
What is it? A festive celebration at International House Gothenburg with Swedish holiday traditions, treats, music, and a cultural exchange.
More info and registration: https://www.investingothenburg.com/events/lets-celebrate-holiday-season-together
OPEN HOUSE: Toastmasters - network and practice public speaking - December 11 / 16:00 PM - 17:30 PM
What is it? An open-house Toastmasters session to boost public speaking, networking, and leadership skills, open to everyone—even non-Volvo guests!
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/gothenburg-volvo-ab-toastmasters/events/304538201
Effective handling of large and diverse data sources - December 11 / 17:00 PM - 20:00 PM
Host: Definitive Healthcare
What is it? A Definitive Healthcare meetup featuring insights on modernizing a data stack and automating web data extraction, plus food, drinks, and networking.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/machine-learning-gbg/events/304776527
Collaboration or: How I stopped working together and trusted people instead - December 11 / 17:30 PM - 20:00 PM
Host: SCRUM Beers G?teborg
What is it? An end-of-the-year Scrum Beers meetup exploring when collaboration goes too far, with festive drinks, honest discussion, and insights on balancing process and action.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/scrum-beers-goteborg/events/304831802
领英推荐
Databricks User Group in Gothenburg Meetup #4 - December 11 / 17:30 PM - 21:00 PM
Host: Nexer Insight
What is it? A year-end Databricks User Group meetup in Gothenburg featuring a V?sttrafik case presentation, networking, and refreshments.
More info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.se/e/databricks-user-group-in-gothenburg-meetup-4-tickets-1070460519229
NIO Runners Club - December 12 / 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Host: NIO Sverige - Maria Jobe
Topic: Weekly runner's club (1hr in 6 min/km) hosted every Thursday morning. Running starts at 7 AM sharp, followed by complimentary breakfast at 8 AM. Often partners with sports-oriented companies to offer participants the possibility to try exciting new gadgets.
More info and registration: https://www.instagram.com/nio_runnersclub/
GoCo Talk: Ida B Olsson - December 12 / 15:00 PM - 16:00 PM
What is it? An inspiring talk with health coach Ida B. Olsson on building a joyful, balanced lifestyle, motivation, and self-care.
Speaker: Ida B Olsson
More info and registration: https://en-gb.eu.invajo.com/event/gocohealthinnovationcity/gocotalkidabolsson
Christmas Afterwork - December 12 / 16:00 PM - 18:30 PM
What is it? A festive After Work gathering at GoCo House café—mingle, network, and unwind with colleagues and friends, and don’t forget your best Christmas outfit!
More info and registration: https://en-gb.eu.invajo.com/event/gocohealthinnovationcity/christmasafterwork
??????? Generative Hack med 46elks och Opper! ???????- December 12 / 13:00 PM - 16:30 PM
Host: 46elks - Walborg Cowork
What is it? En eftermiddag med generativ AI, maskininl?rning och Opper, inklusive verktygsdemo, kodning och kunskapsutbyte, f?ljt av lussevaka.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/programmerare-pratar-goteborg/events/304791712
?? Let’s code, connect, and celebrate – Lussevaka style! ?????????? ??? - December 12 / 16:30 PM - 20:00 PM
Host: 46elks - Walborg Cowork
What is it? En lussevaka-inspirerad IT-AW med 46elks: kodsnack, gl?gg och lussebullar.
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/programmerare-pratar-goteborg/events/304452038
Teknikquiz f?r musikhj?lpen! - December 12 / 17:00 PM onward
Host: Xenit AB
What is it? En teknikquiz hos Xenit till f?rm?n f?r Musikhj?lpen, med kluriga fr?gor, l?ttare f?rt?ring och m?jlighet att n?tverka.
Quizmasters: Tobias Vuorenmaa , Adam Clark
More info and registration: https://xenit.se/nyheter/nyhet/teknikquiz-for-musikhjalpen/
Got Data? meetup 3: vehicle safety, data catalogs and mingle! - December 12 / 18:00 PM - 20:00 PM
Host: Knowit
What is it? A Data Engineering meetup at Knowit covering data curation for vehicle safety, open-source data catalogs, and mingling over food and drinks.
Speakers: Gustav Sparre , Ludvig K?llstr?m
More info and registration: https://www.meetup.com/got-data/events/304285445
Breakfast Club - December 17 / 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Topics: inspiring breakfast with other like-minded entrepreneurs.
More info and registration: https://www.yesboxgoteborg.se/kalender/yesbox-frukostklubb-8
GBG Co-ops: Din vision f?r 2025 - December 18 / 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM
What is it? En tr?ff f?r f?retagare att reflektera ?ver ?ret och dela visioner f?r 2025, med fokus p? utveckling och samarbete.
More info and registration: https://www.yesboxgoteborg.se/kalender/gbg-co-ops-din-vision-2025
Glüggfest - December 18 / 13:00 PM - 18:00 PM
Host: Ljud & Bildmedia BT AB
What is it? De bjuder in alla intresserade av gluggar (och gl?gg) p? ett kul mingel och showcase av produkter.
More info and registration: https://www.ljud-bildmedia.se/page/event/gloggfest-18-december-2024-goteborg?xcgeplf=2
TechMeetUp: V?rldens b?sta team! - December 19 / 11:30 AM - 13:00 PM
What is it? En julig TechMeetUp om team-building och f?retagskultur, gr?t, gl?gg, och mingel p? The Yard.
Speaker: Tommy Ivarsson
More info and registration: https://www.investingothenburg.com/events/techmeetup-varldens-basta-team
There are also quite a few Lucia and Christmas concerts, events, parades, and so on. If you truly want to get a taste of the authentic Swedish celebration, you don't want to miss the Lucia Parade on Avenyn on Friday the 13th, or the Feskek?rka Lucia concert in the morning.
Here you can find a long list of (paid) concerts (from sacred to jazz), beer tastings, courses, Christmas lunches, and the sort.
Many churches have concerts and choir performances that are not even advertised online, so it might be worth taking a look at your local church's bulletin board and see if they have any concerts planned.
That's it! I'm truly glad and grateful you're here, I wish you all a fantastic holiday season, and see you next year!
Best,
Maria
Sustainability and Compliance Intern @ Parilo AB | CSRD Expertise
3 个月Thank you for sharing the events! These are very helpful!
Account Director | General Manager | Client Partner | Digital Marketer | AI Enthusiast
3 个月I am interested to join if there will be one in January 2025. May I know how can I find out?
Swedish Language Coach ???? | Certified Swedish Teacher | Swedish Pronunciation Specialist | Helping Internationals Speak Swedish with Confidence & Ease ?? Swedish That Sticks – From Studying to Speaking Confidently
3 个月Thank you Maria Petrescu. ?It was a pleasure contributing to this edition of your newsletter. Natalia and I always emphasize the importance of connection over perfection when communicating, whether in Swedish or English. As we shared, choosing the right language and focusing on genuine communication can make all the difference: "Don’t forget - it’s about communication, not perfection!". Wishing everyone success at this month’s networking events and a joyful holiday season!"
Junior Financial Controller | MBA-Finance | Ekonomiassistent | Finansassistent
3 个月What an insightful wrap-up of the events, Maria Petrescu! ?? Thank you for sharing such valuable insights and providing a comprehensive overview.
Volvo Defense | Marketing & Sustainable Business Development
3 个月Thank you Maria for posting such treasures every month! :)