By Agnes Yu
Once a month on a Wednesday various professionals gather at usually a new venue each time to “wine down.” Organized by Devin Rupert, as an event that stems from his website, LinkedSeoul, the evening offers an opportunity to meet new people and network in a casual setting.
LinkedSeoul is a one-stop website that lists networking events and employment postings for its members. Membership is free and only requires one to make a profile by filling in a short questionnaire. After roughly 15 months since launching, there are currently over 1,060 members.
What began as a personal project with zero capital, Rupert started LinkedSeoul to share information about strictly chamber of commerce and professional events. Other websites were too broad or general and are rather geared for people new to living in Seoul. Rupert aims to offer a comprehensive listing of mainly networking events, targeting a specific niche.
Arriving in 2008 as a consultant for a U.S. company, this is Rupert’s first time living abroad as an expat. He said, ``Networking in the States is usually for job hunting or to make sales whereas in Seoul, the small foreign, English-speaking community can benefit from the social and enjoyable aspects such gatherings offer.’’
In response to suggestions to create an event of his own, Rupert, with the support of his friend Kent Wong, came up with the idea of no chairs instead of sit down set menus that are typical here.
Wine Down Wednesdays (WDW) attract a diverse number of guests, are relatively cheaper to attend and focus on standing room only to maximize mingling. Held on a Wednesday so not to overlap with other events on the social calendar, a WDW evening includes unlimited wine, a light finger food buffet and afterwards a pocketful of business cards of new connections.
So far the web traffic has been good and there has been a lot of positive feedback along with a loyal group of WDW attendees. LinkedSeoul is completely non-profit, does no fundraising and the website includes no advertising except for the logos of prize sponsors.
Another project in the works is LinkedSeoul’s 40 under 40. To mark the end of the year and to recognize some of the younger members of LinkedSeoul a PDF booklet of 40 young professionals will be featured. On the 23rd floor of the Renaissance Hotel at Club Horizon, meet these specially selected 40 individuals at next month’s WDW as well as many more people to expand your networking horizons.
For more information visit www.linkedseoul.org