KANSAS CITY · SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 · IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Learn the Science of Better Networking
Then Practice It Live in a Guided Room of Kansas City Professionals.
A 90-minute in-person workshop for mid-career professionals, small business owners, consultants, and community-minded leaders who want to make stronger connections — without the awkward small talk or the pushy pitching.
Seating is limited. Early registration recommended. Fees apply.
THE DETAILS
Thursday,
September 17th
Light refreshments provided
6:00-7:30PM CST
Doors open at 5:30PM
SOUND FAMILIAR?
You've been to networking events.
They rarely work the way they should.
You walk in with good intentions. You leave with a handful of cards, a vague sense of exhaustion, and maybe one conversation worth remembering. Most networking events are just open-ended rooms full of people hoping something will happen.
Here's what that usually looks like:
You rehearse your introduction on the drive over — then fumble it when someone actually asks.
You meet a dozen people but can't recall a single meaningful exchange.
Conversations die out after the basics: "What do you do?" "Oh, cool."
Your follow-up emails sound exactly like everyone else's.
You leave early because the ROI doesn't feel worth the discomfort.
This isn't a personality problem. It isn't introversion, shyness, or a lack of confidence.
It's a structure problem. When you have a clear communication framework, networking stops feeling like performing — and starts feeling like connecting.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
This workshop was built around science, not small talk.
The format is deliberate: 45 minutes of instruction, followed by 45 minutes of guided networking rounds. You won't be thrown into the room cold. You'll have the framework in hand when you use it.
OTHER NETWORKING EVENTS
🆇 Open mixer with no structure
🆇 Left to approach strangers alone
🆇 Generic "tips" with no practice
🆇 Luck-based conversation outcomes
🆇 Follow-up is an afterthought
🆇 You leave hoping something lands
THIS WORKSHOP
✔ Science-backed communication model
✔ Guided rounds — you'll know what to do
✔ Learn it, then immediately use it
✔ Structure that makes conversations flow
✔ A follow-up system that feels genuine
✔ You leave with skills you keep forever
EVENT DETAILS
Everything you need to know before you register.
DATE
Thursday, September 17, 2026
LOCATION
Keystone CoLab
800 E 18th Street Kansas City, Missouri
TIME
6:00-7:30pm CST
TICKET PRICE
$75.00 (plus taxes + fees)
AGENDA
5:30-6:00pm
Arrival, check-in, light refreshments
6:00-6:45pm
Workshop Presentation
6:45-7:30pm
Guided networking rounds - practice what you’ve learned
7:30-8:00pm
Open connection time (optional)
YOUR FACILITATOR
Sydney Parriott
MA, CCC-SLP, MBA
Licensed corporate speech-language pathologist & founder of Speak Like a Professional
Sydney is a communication professional whose work sits at the intersection of speech-language science and professional development. She founded Speak Like a Professional to bring research-backed communication strategies out of clinical and academic settings and into the everyday professional world — for the people who need them most but rarely have access to them.
Her training background in speech-language pathology informs everything she teaches: how people process language, what makes communication break down, and what makes it genuinely work. She has applied these principles with professionals across industries — from solo consultants to executives — helping them show up with clarity, confidence, and authentic presence.
This workshop reflects what Sydney has seen time and again: people aren't bad at connecting. They're just missing a framework that makes connection feel natural. That's exactly what this evening is designed to provide.
CREDENTIALS
M.A. Speech-Language Pathology M.B.A. Business Administration Certificate of Clinical Competence
FEATURED IN
Communication Intelligence
OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM
Bring a Colleague. Build Better Connections Together.
Networking works best when the right people are in the room — and you probably know someone who would benefit from a more intentional, science-backed way to connect.
When you refer a friend, colleague, client, or fellow business owner who registers for the workshop, you’ll receive your choice of a free Communicate to Advance Workbook from one pillar of your choice, valued up to $30.
Whether you invite a coworker, referral partner, entrepreneur, or professional peer, this is an opportunity to learn the framework together and leave with stronger language, better conversations, and more meaningful connections.
how it works:
Invite someone who would benefit from the workshop.
Have them enter your name during registration.
After they register and attend, you’ll receive your free workbook selection.
Your bonus:
Choose one Communicate to Advance Workbook from the pillar that best supports your professional communication goals. Explore here.
Referral reward is available when a referred attendee completes registration and attends the event. One workbook reward per qualifying referral, unless otherwise stated. Workbook selection is subject to availability. Referral name must be submitted at registration.
CONSIDERATION
Use your Professional Development Funds
This workshop is designed to support professional growth in communication, networking, relationship-building, and business development — skills that are valuable across industries and roles.
Many employers offer professional development funds, learning stipends, continuing education budgets, or reimbursement for workshops that help employees strengthen workplace communication and build strategic professional relationships.
This event may be a strong fit for professional development reimbursement because attendees will learn how to:
Communicate their professional value more clearly.
Build stronger business and referral relationships.
Ask better questions in professional conversations.
Improve confidence in networking and relationship-building settings.
Practice communication strategies in a structured, guided environment.
Develop follow-up language that supports meaningful professional connection.
-
Subject: Professional Development Workshop Reimbursement Request
Hi [Manager Name],
I’d like to attend a professional development workshop called The Science of Better Networking on September 16th in Kansas City.
The 90-minute workshop focuses on using speech-language science to improve professional networking, communication clarity, strategic relationship-building, and follow-up conversations. The first portion includes instruction on communication strategies, and the second portion includes guided practice with other professionals and business owners.
I believe this would support my development in professional communication, relationship-building, and representing my work more clearly in networking and business settings.
The registration fee is $69.99. Would this be eligible for reimbursement through our professional development budget?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Suggested reimbursement category:
Professional development, communication training, networking skills, business development, leadership development, or continuing education.
After registering, you can use your confirmation receipt and the event description to submit the workshop for reimbursement through your employer.
IS THIS FOR YOU?
This workshop is for people who want real connections — not a bigger contact list.
THIS IS A GREAT FIT IF YOU ARE…
✔ A mid-career professional looking to expand your network intentionally
✔ A small business owner who relies on relationships to grow
✔ A consultant, coach, or service provider who needs to communicate your value clearly
✔ An entrepreneur building something and looking for the right connections
✔ A nonprofit professional or community builder
✔ Someone who wants better professional relationships but finds traditional networking draining
✔ An introvert who wants structure, not just encouragement to "put yourself out there"
THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT FIT IF YOU…
🆇 Want to aggressively pitch your product or services to everyone in the room
🆇 Are looking for a passive lead-generation event
🆇 Prefer to dominate conversations rather than create mutual connections
🆇 Want to collect business cards without building real relationships
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers before you commit.
-
Yes — and honestly, this workshop was built with you in mind. Open mixers with no structure are hard for introverts because you're expected to perform without a script. Here, you'll have a clear framework before the networking portion begins, and the guided rounds give you a starting point for every conversation. Many attendees describe this format as the first networking experience that didn't feel exhausting.
-
No. This is a standalone, complete workshop. The $75.00 gets you everything: the full presentation, the guided networking rounds, and the communication framework you can use immediately. There's no upsell waiting at the end.
-
After the 45-minute workshop presentation, you'll move into structured rounds — think speed networking, but with a purpose. You'll be paired or grouped with other attendees and given clear conversational prompts based on the framework you just learned. Each round is timed, so you'll meet multiple people without anyone feeling stuck or stranded in one conversation. The facilitator is active in the room throughout.
-
Attendees are mid-career professionals, small business owners, consultants, coaches, entrepreneurs, and community builders from the Kansas City area. This is a curated group — not a generic happy hour. The people in the room are there with the same intention you are.
-
Full refunds are available up to 7 days before the event. Within 7 days of the event, your ticket is transferable to another person but non-refundable. If the event is cancelled for any reason, all tickets will be fully refunded.
-
Just yourself. Business cards are optional — you won't need them to make the most of the evening. A notebook is welcome if you like to take notes, but all key frameworks will be provided as a takeaway handout.
SEATING IS LIMITED — THIS EVENT IS INTENTIONALLY SMALL
One evening. A framework you'll use
for the rest of your career.
Better professional relationships don't come from going to more events. They come from knowing how to connect when you get there. Come learn how — and practice it the same night.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 · 6:00–7:30 p.m. · Kansas City, MO