​Meet people and pick up your weekly groceries.

​🤝 A casual networking hangout in the grocery store cafe

​Chats, connections, & grocery carts is a relaxed, social-first networking event for curious, friendly people across Hampton Roads who enjoy good conversation and knocking out life errands at the same time.

This is not a lecture.
This is not a pitch night.
And you definitely do not need to “prepare” anything.

It is simply a low-pressure space to meet new people, have real conversations, and casually connect while wandering the aisles and picking up your weekly groceries.

Whether you are deeply into AI and automation, adjacent to tech and creativity, or just someone who enjoys thoughtful conversations with interesting humans, you belong here.

​✨ What to expect

• ​Casual, open networking with a mix of builders, creatives, technologists, founders, students, and professionals

• ​Easy, organic conversations while shopping at your own pace

• ​Light, optional conversation prompts to help break the ice if you want them

• ​No presentations, no panels, no pressure to “network correctly”

• ​A friendly, welcoming environment for all backgrounds and experience levels

• ​Come as you are. Grab a cart or a basket. Pick up dinner for the week. Meet a few new people along the way.

​👥 Who should attend

​Chats, connections, & grocery carts is for:

​People who enjoy meeting others without forced networking vibes
Builders, creatives, technologists, and curious minds
AI, automation, no-code, and tech-adjacent folks
Students and career switchers exploring what is next
Founders, consultants, operators, and professionals
Anyone who likes good conversation and low-stakes socializing

​If you enjoy thoughtful chats and meeting people in unexpected places, you will fit right in.

​🏪 Why a grocery store

​You were probably going to the store anyway.

​Hosting this event in a grocery store keeps things human, practical, and approachable. It removes the pressure of traditional networking and turns it into something simple, efficient, and a little fun.

​Two errands. One cart.

​💡 Why this event exists

​Community grows best in relaxed, everyday spaces.

Chats, Connections, & Grocery Carts exists to create an easy, human-centered way for people to connect without titles, talks, or expectations. It is about building relationships, sharing ideas naturally, and strengthening the local community one conversation at a time.

Come say hi. Leave with groceries. Make a few new connections along the way.

​ℹ️ Other bits of info & FAQs

• ​This is a free community event

• ​Drinks or food are available for purchase depending on the venue

• ​Photos or videos may be taken for community and marketing purposes

• ​Come solo or bring a friend

• ​​​​Is there free parking in the area? Yes. Town Center has five garages with more than 4,380 spaces and 86 on-street spaces available for public use.

• ​What the closest free parking garage to the event? If you can't find street parking, head to Green Garage

• ​​​​Is this free?
  Yes, but space is limited. Make sure to RSVP.

​🤝 Organizers & partners

​​Organizers
The AI Collective Hampton Roads

​​Platinum partners

​​Silver partners

​​🌍 Our parent org

​The AI Collective is a global non-profit community uniting 150,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.

​All attendees and organizers at events affiliated with The AI Collective agree to our privacy policy and are subject to our code of conduct. Additionally, by registering for this event, you agree to The AI Collective Hampton Roads chapter photo & video policy.