Women + Tech Meetup: Gather with Purpose: Design Meetings, Events & Moments That Actually Matter

Most of us inherited the formats of togetherness without questioning them - meetings, weddings, even the way we hang out with friends. But what if we stopped accepting gatherings as they are and started designing them as they could be?

You don't need to be an event planner to transform how people connect. Every standup, every hangout, every space you create is an opportunity to do something different and meaningful. 

This 75-minute interactive workshop, inspired by Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, will challenge how you think about every gathering in your life. We'll explore the power of defining purpose, practicing generous authority, and building structure that sparks creativity rather than stifles it.

You won't just learn theory, you'll leave with practical tools and even work on a gathering that's relevant to your life. We'll work through real scenarios together, discover how to leverage technology thoughtfully (for both in-person and virtual gatherings), and reimagine what's possible when we stop defaulting to "the way it's always been done."

Whether you're leading team standups, hosting dinners, planning conferences, or just trying to combat loneliness through more meaningful connection, this workshop is for you. 

The difference between lifeless gatherings and meaningful experiences isn't magic. It's design. You already gather. Now, let’s tap into how to gather with purpose.

About the Facilitator

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Nisha Kavalam has built her career around a simple truth: gatherings have power. With her Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work as her foundation, she's spent years bringing people together across contexts: planning weddings, facilitating higher ed retreats, hosting events with Atlanta Business Chronicle, and serving as Head of Brand and Events at Atlanta Tech Village.

Currently, Nisha serves as VP of Atlanta Tech Week, where she shapes Atlanta's largest celebration of innovation and technology, and works full time as Community and Partner Marketing Manager at Florence Healthcare, where she designs global summits in the clinical trials industry and manages their worldwide community of research professionals. She also continues to coordinate weddings and events. 

Recognized as Most Impactful Atlantan by Network of Atlanta and Community Builder of the Year by Startup Atlanta in 2025, Nisha weaves her social work background in equity and inclusion with Priya Parker's philosophy into every space she creates

About the Women + Tech Meetup

Description:

It’s time to come together to make the phrase “Women in Tech” obsolete! Join us as we openly discuss personal and professional growth, challenges in the workplace, community involvement, and whatever else is on your mind. Our Village can be the one to make women in tech the status quo.

Mission: To empower women in tech through a kick-ass network, intentional teaching & purposeful community because it does take a village. Our goal is to make to Atlanta the number one place for “women in tech” (because clearly it’s not Silicon Valley).

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