It’s that time of year again. The time when both basketball and non-basketball fans alike ready their brackets for the next two weeks of sheer madness, otherwise known as the Men’s Basketball NCAA Tournament. March Madness is big business (as you can well imagine) generating lots of revenue for the colleges that make it in, its corporate sponsors and CBS Sports, which has had broadcast rights to the event for decades. It’s also a major social event when people across the country gather around TVs and their computers (and now phones and tablets) to cheer for their favorite team and/or hope their bracket doesn’t end up looking like New Age Art.
However, lots of folks and organizations take this opportunity to host networking events around the tournament, and it would definitely be worth your while to check some of them out.
Here are three March Madness Networking events you should look into:
By the Numbers
The DC chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants, the National Black MBA Association and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants are hosting a networking event on Friday, March 21 from 6pm to 11pm at Bailey’s Pup and Grill. It is located at 4328 Wilson BLVD. The cost is $15 for non-members but that includes food. Not a bad deal. The event info boasts that it will “be an evening of food, fun and networking” with pool tables, darts, shuffle board, and of course basketball on multiple screens. Check Eventbrite for more info and details on how to attend.
Wingin’ It
Bring your appetites for this one. Dream for Kids DC and Phi Sig are having their 5th Annual Wing Bowl on Sunday, March 30 from 12pm to 6pm at Town Tavern, located at 2323 Eighteenth Street NW. You need to check their event info for the full details of the festivities (it’s a lot of info), but they will be giving away great raffle prizes throughout the evening, while bringing together student organizations from several schools around the DC metro area to, in their words “absolutely rock out and raise money for a great cause.” Of course, they will have the March Madness games showing on several flat screens all over the place. TL;DR: eat, network, connect. What’s not to like?
The After Work Network
The aptly named Network After Work is having their next event on Thursday April 3 from 6pm-9pm at Capitale, located at 1301 K St. NW. Network After Work events are for professionals of all industries and career levels interested in expanding their professional network. Technically this is not a March Madness event, but it does take place during the games that Thursday night. Their events actually take place every other month so this is 
something you should keep tabs on. It allows guests a “chance to foster new professional connections in a relaxed atmosphere conducive to business and social networking,” while also providing guests a chance to get their name and brand in front of some of DC’s top business professionals. Admission is $12 in advance / $15 with RSVP at the door / $20 without RSVP, and this is what it gets you:
- Access to 300 Professionals
- Color-Coded Name Badge
- Featured First Cocktail before 7pm
- Light appetizers from 6-7pm
Check their Meetup Page for all the details of the event plus info on how you can attend.
March Madness may be a great time for sports fans, but it’s also a great time to practice those ABNs. Many organizations and groups take advantage of this time of year to host networking events that bring together young people and established professionals alike. Make sure you take advantage of it as well by making your March Madness one to remember. Good luck with your networking brackets!