Building Community Beyond The Workplace: The Story Behind WAGMI - Connect

For WAGMI-Connect, networking is about more than exchanging LinkedIn profiles or collecting business cards. The idea behind the community is simple: create a place where people can step outside of work and home, meet others, share ideas, and build genuine relationships.

WAGMI-Connect was created as a “third place” for corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and early-career professionals. It is a space where conversations can happen naturally without the pressure that often comes with traditional networking. Whether people are talking about their careers, the latest developments in their industries, or simply what is happening in their lives, the goal is to create an environment where meaningful connections can grow organically.

That idea came to life during WAGMI-Connect’s recent sponsorship at the Tech Incubator at Queens College (TIQC). The gathering brought together young professionals, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts for relaxed, tech-focused conversations. Rather than focusing on

how many connections attendees could make, WAGMI-Connect wanted people to leave having met someone they genuinely enjoyed talking to, exchanged ideas, and potentially started relationships that would continue beyond the event.

For CEO David Garcia, the event carried an even more personal meaning. As a Queens College alumnus, returning to the campus to bring WAGMI-Connect to the community felt like a full-circle moment. Then, something completely unexpected happened. David reconnected with a high school friend who was participating in the hackathon nearly ten years after they had last seen each other.

It was the kind of moment that could never have been planned into an event schedule, but it captured exactly what WAGMI-Connect hopes to create. When people are given a space to come together, meaningful connections can happen in ways that go far beyond the original purpose of the event.

Another highlight was simply meeting the people in the room. The WAGMI-Connect team had the opportunity to hear from rising technology professionals and entrepreneurs about the different paths they are taking in the industry. The energy and enthusiasm around technology and AI stood out, making the event an opportunity not only to network but also to learn from the experiences and perspectives of others.

The collaboration with TIQC helped make that environment possible. WAGMI-Connect describes the TIQC community as welcoming, flexible, and open to new ideas. The team appreciated being able to bring ideas to the table, experiment with the event format, and work together toward creating something valuable for attendees. Rather than feeling like a traditional

partnership, the collaboration felt natural and community-driven.

Like any growing community, WAGMI-Connect has faced challenges along the way. Finding the right venues and sponsors has been one of the biggest. Instead of approaching those relationships purely as business transactions, the team has focused on building genuine connections and helping people understand what WAGMI-Connect is trying to create.

That approach has opened doors to venues, brands, and professionals who believe in the community and want to be involved. In many cases, those partnerships have developed organically, without WAGMI-Connect even having to lead with a sponsorship request. For the team, that has reinforced the importance of building something people want to be part of before asking them to support it.

Looking ahead, WAGMI-Connect is continuing to grow beyond traditional networking events. The organization is expanding its work with businesses that want to create experiences that lead to real outcomes, including brand awareness, community engagement, lead generation, and customer acquisition.

The team is particularly interested in helping companies connect with highly engaged professional communities through sponsorships, experiential events, and acquisition-focused activations. At the same time, WAGMI-Connect plans to continue growing its own community and creating events that make networking feel more effortless, inclusive, and valuable for people at every stage of their careers.

At its core, WAGMI-Connect is built around a simple belief: some of the most valuable professional relationships begin when people are given the opportunity to simply connect as people. And sometimes, those connections can lead to much more than anyone expected - whether that means a new collaboration, a new opportunity, or even reconnecting with someone you thought you had lost touch with.

Learn more about WAGMI - Connect

Website: https://wagmiconnect.com/

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