Professional Networking Event – March 20, 2022

Introduction

Barkulan Hub successfully hosted its third Professional Networking Event in Hargeisa, Somaliland. This event aimed to provide a platform for young professionals to network and exchange ideas. To ensure a well-organized event, we expanded our team and were thrilled by the large number of professionals and entrepreneurs eager to attend. For the first time, we introduced a small registration fee to cover food and beverage expenses, which was well-received by attendees.

With our event becoming a popular space for connectivity and networking, participants were excited to attend and even registered their friends and colleagues who would benefit from the event. This time, we made several changes, including hosting the event outdoors in a relaxed, open-air space. We also added entertainment and a business showcase, giving seven creative businesses and new entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain visibility. We set up their booths in strategic areas, encouraging engagement among participants, and rearranged seating to promote social interaction.

To ensure that attendees made the most of the event, we shared tips and guidelines at the entrance. The crowd was diverse, including young entrepreneurs, freelancers, NGO representatives, and recent graduates. To break the ice, we set up a fun photo booth alongside a BBQ and drinks, which made networking easier. Additionally, experts in fields such as art, physical therapy, digital marketing, and finance management shared their insights and discussed the opportunities available in Somaliland.

Our team worked hard to ensure the event ran smoothly, consistently checking in on participants’ comfort and energy levels to guarantee their satisfaction.

Feedback

One attendee expressed their satisfaction by saying: “The event was amazing! Meeting business entrepreneurs, seeing small businesses share their products, and enjoying the BBQ was a fantastic experience. I appreciated that it wasn’t too crowded, which made it easier for me to network. Everything was perfect, from the socializing opportunities to the unique setup.”

Another participant remarked: “Keep hosting these events! We’re starting to forget about divisions like tribalism because of how these events bring us together. The impact on young professionals goes beyond networking—it’s changing our mindset.”