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18 de septiembre de 2026
Networking in Malaga: How to create real connections in an increasingly international city
You can arrive in Málaga with experience, ideas, a great job, an amazing project, and a burning desire to build something, and still not know a soul. I think that's one of the great contradictions of international cities. The more opportunities arise, the easier it can be to feel disconnected.
Every year, professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, remote workers, and people with projects from all over the world arrive, drawn by the quality of life, the climate, the city's growth, and everything that's happening here. But starting a life in a new place isn't just about finding a house, a job, or a good place for coffee. You also need people, relationships, and a sense of belonging.
From a networking event to a real community
Networking Evenings Málaga was born out of that need for connection. The group was founded by Spencer Feuerbach, and when he decided to pursue other paths, I had the opportunity to continue with him.
I decided to do it because I deeply believe in the value of bringing the right people together, and because I didn't want this to become just another event where you exchange business cards, talk for two hours, and then never see anyone again. I wanted it to be a space people would want to return to, where relationships could develop, and where a conversation could turn into a collaboration, a collaboration into a client, a contact into a friendship, or simply into that person you text on a Saturday to make plans.
When we talk about networking, we often immediately think of business, clients, sales, investors, or collaborators, and yes, all of that happens. At our events, lawyers, marketers, designers, real estate agents, coaches, students, investors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals of all kinds meet. Opportunities, collaborations, projects, and ideas emerge, but something I've learned from organizing these events is that many people come looking for much more than that.
Many people find here:
- Professional contacts and new business opportunities,
- Collaborators, clients, or potential partners,
- Friendships and a sense of belonging,
- People with whom to share activities or interests,
- New perspectives and conversations they probably wouldn't have had in their usual circle.
And often those personal connections end up being even more important than professional ones, because a good network is not just a list of contacts, it's a group of people you feel you can count on.
An international Malaga needs more bridges and fewer bubbles.
There's another part of the mission that's especially important to me, and it has to do with Málaga as a city. I wouldn't want a separate community of foreigners and a separate local community to develop, living in parallel without much common ground. For me, a truly international city functions best when there are bridges between these two worlds.
That those who come from elsewhere can learn about, understand, and respect the local culture, and that those who are from here can also access new perspectives, languages, projects, businesses, and international connections. Internationalization can greatly enrich a city, but it works much better when there is integration, when we don't just come to consume a place, but also to contribute to it.
That's also reflected in who attends the events. It's not just people from Málaga city center. People come from Fuengirola, Alhaurín, Torremolinos, Rincón de la Victoria, Motril, and other places. Some drive quite a distance to be there, and I still find that very meaningful. We have more ways than ever to connect digitally, but we still need to sit face-to-face with another person, look them in the eye, listen to their story, find out what they do, exchange ideas, and see what might come of it.
The best connections, both personal and professional, rarely begin with a perfect strategy. They usually begin with a conversation.
What are the Networking Evenings like in Malaga?
The meetings happen once or twice a month , and the format is very simple. We create some icebreaker moments at the beginning to make it easier for everyone to start talking to someone. We do short introductions to find out who's in the room, what each person does, and what kind of connections might exist. Then we leave space for the most important thing to happen: conversation.
Who usually comes? There isn't just one type of person, and that's precisely one of the most interesting things. We find:
- Entrepreneurs and business owners,
- Freelancers and consultants,
- Senior professionals and managers,
- Investors and people involved in finance,
- Lawyers and consultants,
- Marketing, communication and design professionals,
- Real estate agents, architects and profiles linked to the real estate sector,
- Coaches, psychologists, and mentors,
- Content creators, photographers, and other creative profiles,
- Students and people who are starting new projects,
- Remote workers and international professionals newly arrived in Malaga.
Some have been in their field for years, while others are just starting out. Some are looking for clients, others for collaborators, partners, investors, ideas, or simply interesting people to connect with. What matters isn't your specific profession, but coming with an open mind, a desire to meet others, and a willingness to build genuine relationships.
We don't want a series of pitches or people trying to sell to everyone. We want curious, professional people, open to sharing ideas, listening, and getting to know the person in front of them. Because when you stop thinking only about what you can get from someone, much more interesting connections often emerge.
And here I want to give a special thanks to The Living Room Coworking Málaga, TLR, because much of this is also possible thanks to them. They provide us with a magnificent space in the heart of Málaga where we can meet, talk, and continue building this community. It seems like a simple thing, but having a place where people can return, reconnect, and start recognizing faces completely transforms the experience. A community needs people, yes, but it also needs a place where those people can meet. Thank you to TLR for opening their doors to us and supporting these kinds of initiatives that create real connections in the city.
My small contribution to Malaga
Since moving to Málaga, I've often thought about what I can contribute to this city, and Networking Evenings Málaga is one of my answers. I don't see it solely as a professional event, but as a way to foster human connection, to help newcomers meet their friends, to facilitate collaborations between professionals, to connect locals with people from other countries, and to generate friendships, conversations, and opportunities.
Cities grow with investment, companies and projects, but they also grow with people who meet, help each other and decide to build something together.
And perhaps, in the end, that is the true purpose of all this.
Would you like to come to the next Networking Evening in Malaga?
If you want to meet professionals, entrepreneurs, expats, and locals who are genuinely looking to connect, you can check out the upcoming dates and reserve your spot in our Meetup group:
View upcoming events on Meetup
See you at the next meeting.
Si quieres desarrollarte en Oratoria, Comunicación y Liderazgo contáctame, estaré encantada de guiarte: info@silvinahood.com
