Breaking Barriers: How A Simple Change Transformed A Meetup In Berlin
Discover how I transformed a humble networking event into a bustling community, in today's Connector.
For many foreigners living in Berlin, attending local events can feel like you’re winding through a maze of cultural challenges. I know this firsthand, because I’ve lived it multiple times. When I first stepped into the monthly Meetup for professionals hosted by Karin, an Austrian lady based in the city, I felt like an outsider looking in. The event catered to Berlin business owners, but the unwritten rules of social engagement made it clear: if you didn’t speak German, you were going to struggle.
It wasn’t uncommon to see non-German-speaking attendees trickle in, only to leave within the first hour, feeling awkward and excluded. As much as I wanted to connect with people there, the divide felt impenetrable. One evening, after trying once again to strike up conversations, only to fail miserably, I decided to head home just 50 minutes into the event. That’s when Karin approached me.
“Why are you leaving so soon?” she asked, clearly concerned. I was honest about my frustration and how unhappy I felt. To my surprise, she didn’t get defensive. Instead, she asked me something totally out of the blue: Would you co-host the Meetup with me?
Karin admitted she found managing the event stressful, especially welcoming newcomers and speaking English, which wasn’t her strong suit. She needed help. I agreed but only on one condition: that we would change the event description to include English and invite Berlin’s expat community.
I explained my reasoning. While Berlin is known for its international population, professional networking events were often sparse—catering mostly to either German locals or to digital nomads passing through. There wasn’t much for long-term expats looking to build real business connections. I believed this Meetup could bridge that gap.
Karin agreed, and that night, I went home and rewrote the event description, adding a welcoming note in English. I also made it clear the event was open to business owners of all backgrounds, allowing a blend of Germans and internationals to connect.
The results were astonishing.
From 20 To 120: A Community Is Born
At the next Meetup—the first one I was co-hosting—we walked into a packed cafe bar. Instead of the usual 20 attendees, there were 80 people! Many were non-German-speaking professionals who had lived in Berlin for years, but had struggled to find networking events to be a part of. They were eager to connect and grateful for the chance.
By the following month, attendance had risen to 120, and from then on, we consistently averaged 90–100 people. The cafe bar owner, who opened up specially for our event, was clearly very happy with this uptick in customers!
To make the evenings seamless, Karin and I divided our responsibilities. She would start with a short introduction in German, then pass the floor to me to do the same in English. One of the most enjoyable parts of the night was the group introduction round, where every attendee had 30 seconds to share their name, what they did, and what kind of help they were looking for. I ran this section of the night, both introducing it and keeping time so everyone could get their moment to speak. People could introduce themselves in either German or English.
After the intros were over, so the night would ease into mingling, with attendees buying drinks and food. Conversations often went on well passed midnight, the energy of the crowd never dropping once.
A Space To Let Go
For many expats, the Meetup became a lifeline. They shared stories of working alone and the challenges of running a business, and felt overjoyed by new peers nodding all around them. Watching this transformation—from hesitant newcomers to active participants—was very fulfilling for me.
Having lived in several European cities myself, I understand the difficulties of being a foreigner in a new culture. The social cues you don’t know, the language you don’t speak—it’s exhausting at times. This Meetup became a space where those barriers faded, replaced by laughs, shared struggles, and a sense of belonging.
For Karin, the event’s evolution was eye-opening. Seeing the cafe fill with energy and enthusiasm every month, she knew we’d done something special.
An Unforgettable Chapter
Unfortunately, like so many things, our Meetup came to an end with the 2020 Covid lockdowns. But up until that point, those Thursday evenings were the highlight of many people’s month. They were more than just networking events—they were a space where people could let their guard down, share their dreams and challenges, and simply enjoy being part of a community.
Even now, I look back on those nights with warmth and gratitude. They remind me of the power of connection—and how sometimes, all it takes to make a difference is a willingness to open the door to others.