The Awkward Handshake Is There a List of Events? (Finally, Yes.)
Looking for the best networking events in Portland? Wondering how to meet the right people without wasting time in awkward rooms that go nowhere?
In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, we talk with Dominic Kuklawood, creator of PortlandStartupEvents.com, an aggregated event calendar for entrepreneurs, founders, and professionals across the Portland startup ecosystem.
Dominic has a unique perspective on networking because he’s not just attending events… he’s tracking the entire landscape. From startup meetups to marketing events, he sees what’s working, what’s missing, and why there’s still more opportunity to build meaningful community.
We break down how to find the right networking events, why Portland is not oversaturated with events, and what actually makes a room worth showing up for.
If you’ve ever struggled with networking, felt like events were a waste of time, or didn’t know where to start, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.
What You’ll Learn
- How to find networking events in Portland (without relying on guesswork)
- Why there’s still demand for more startup and business events
- What makes a networking event successful vs. transactional
- How to meet better business connections and collaborators
- Why entrepreneurs often experience loneliness—and how events help solve it
- The difference between public networking events and private invite-only spaces
- A simple framework for hosting your own event (even if you’re not an expert)
Resources & Links
Portland Startup Events (Event Calendar):
https://PortlandStartupEvents.com
Connect with Dominic Kuklawood:
https://dataspeaks.ai/
Mentioned in This Episode
- Luma (event platform)
- E-Commerce Northwest
- NEXT NW
- Portland startup community events
Who This Episode Is For
- Entrepreneurs and founders in Portland
- Creators, freelancers, and consultants looking to grow their network
- Professionals tired of awkward or ineffective networking events
- Anyone looking to build real relationships in business
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