There's networking events for every conceivable industry you can think of, but a new networking series is aiming to bring some diversity to the professional schmoozing game.
The Fusion Networking Group is hosting its second monthly hobnobbing soiree Wednesday at JBar.
The idea was hatched by founders Haydee Nascimento, a lawyer with a Mexican American and Brazilian background, and Dana Anderson, a marketing professional with a black American West Indian background after they noticed a scarcity of events targeting multicultural, young, urban professionals.
"We're a fusion ourselves, so we decided to use that idea and go forward with it by combining a fusion of culture and industry each time we do a networking event," Nascimento said.
Wednesday's event is targeted toward the fashion industry -- stylists, fashion designers, retailers and wholesalers, but anyone is encouraged to attend.
"Our goal is to bring them together and unite and do a business card exchange outside of your standard formal networking. Sort of face-to-face time in a more upbeat environment," Nascimento said.
And don't even think about clustering together into your usual cliques. Event hosts are known to encourage guests to break out of their zones and introduce themselves to people at the party they don't know.
Wednesday's event includes a premium beer tasting by Louis Glunz Beer and $2 David Burke mini-burgers.
JBar at The James Hotel, 610 N. Rush St., 6-9 p.m. $10
