On the eve of Valentine’s Day 2020, we launched Speed Dating (ish), a fast-paced, fun, and entirely platonic networking event designed to bring together emerging practitioners, creatives, and students from across the built environment. Hosted at Squire & Partners, the evening marked the beginning of a new social strand within the Young Trustees programme, aimed at building stronger networks and opening up new opportunities for collaboration.
Playing on the idea that “it only takes four minutes to fall in love,” participants rotated through ten four-minute conversations: just enough time to spark ideas, exchange stories, and make new professional connections. Icebreaker questions, sketching prompts, and cocktails kept the atmosphere light and informal, encouraging everyone to show up as themselves, whether in full LinkedIn mode or with more Instagram-friendly energy.
One of the many connections made that evening was between ROAR Architects and Techne Engineering, who met during the session and later went on to collaborate on a project. This kind of relationship-building is exactly what Speed Dating (ish) was designed to support.
Because if you want to go fast, go alone—but if you want to go far, go together.
Happy Valentines, Love the Young Trustees XOXO