Phoenix Networking Events This Week — September 21, 2026
Phoenix Networking Events This Week — September 21, 2026
Here is a list of events happening in Phoenix this week for anyone building a business, growing a brand, or just looking to shake a few new hands. From a downtown tech mixer to a small-business barbecue social in the East Valley, there is a reason to get out of the house (or the home office) almost every night this week.
Pitch In: Elevating Entrepreneurs Across the Valley
Wednesday morning kicks off with something a little different than the usual evening mixer. ASU's J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute hosts this hybrid storytelling series, where two founders each get six minutes to walk the room through their entrepreneurial journey, followed by a 20-minute audience Q&A. It is a low-pressure way to hear real, unpolished founder stories and to pick up a few hard-won lessons before the workday even starts, and the hybrid format means it is easy to tune in even for those who cannot make the drive to Scottsdale.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 9:00 AM
Where: 1951@SkySong, Scottsdale
Cost: Free
September after5 Tech Mixer
The Arizona Technology Council closes out the month with its signature after5 mixer, this time hosted by the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Arizona at the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Expect a room full of founders, engineers, and defense-tech innovators over beer, wine, and appetizers, with an unusually strong contingent of people plugged into Arizona's growing defense and aerospace sector. For anyone doing marketing or business development in tech, this is one of the better-attended monthly mixers on the calendar.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 5:00–7:00 PM
Where: Southwest Mission Acceleration Center, 101 N. 1st Ave., Ste. 2750, Phoenix
Cost: Free for Arizona Technology Council members, $30 for non-members
Local Arizona Business Social & Meet Up (Glendale)
Go Local Arizona keeps its monthly small-business socials rolling with a West Valley stop at Dillon's Arrowhead BBQ. These gatherings run smaller and more conversational than the big downtown mixers, which makes them a good fit for small business owners who want actual conversations instead of a stack of business cards from strangers. Neil Schneider and the Go Local Arizona crew ask attendees to bring a guest business owner, so it tends to skew toward people who are serious about finding referral partners and collaborators.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 5:00–7:30 PM
Where: Dillon's Arrowhead BBQ, 20585 N 59th Ave, Glendale
Cost: Free for Go Local Arizona members, $15 for guests
End of Summer Jam Networking Mixer
Local First Arizona and LocalBuzz team up for a livelier, more social take on networking to close out the summer. Held at Pinky's Downtown, the evening mixes live music, food, and drinks with the usual round of introductions, aimed at local businesses, artists, and creatives rather than strictly corporate crowds. It is a good pick for anyone in marketing, media, or the creative side of small business who wants a networking event that does not feel like a networking event.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 6:30–9:00 PM
Where: Pinky's Downtown, 810 N 2nd St, Phoenix
Cost: Free (RSVP required)
Local Arizona Business Social & Meet Up (Mesa)
Go Local Arizona wraps the week with an East Valley stop at The Hub Grill & Bar near Sossaman, following the same relaxed, barbecue-and-conversation format as its Glendale event two days earlier. It is a solid option for anyone whose week got away from them and who still wants to squeeze in some in-person networking before the weekend, especially small business owners based in Mesa, Gilbert, or Queen Creek who would rather not drive across the Valley on a weeknight.
When: Thursday, September 24, 5:00–7:30 PM
Where: The Hub Grill & Bar (Sossaman), 1925 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa
Cost: Free for Go Local Arizona members, $15 for guests
Be on the lookout tomorrow for online events listings — including EE online every Friday.
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