Brand Strategy New York

Twenty Years of Service Design

**Tuesday, September 15th, 6:00-8:00 PM EDT** **Presentation & Discussion** **Twenty Years of Service Design** Roberta Tassi, in conversation with Antonio Cesare Iodarola and Sara Manzini **Event Description** *“For twenty years, every single day, I’ve been either explaining to somebody what service design is, or trying to prove to a client the value of the design approach, and today more so.”* This event is a reflection on the service design value and practice, and how it has been changing and adapting to the evolutions in the broader context. From advocating for the adoption of human-centered approaches, to accompanying digital transformation processes and, more recently, supporting AI transitions: what has changed and what has not? What are the core competences to protect, strengthen and even expand? And how does our service design work translate into impact on the communities, companies and businesses we serve? The talk will feature stories from past projects and introduce emerging frameworks and models, to set the ground for an open conversation and exchange of reflections. The hour will end with a short workshop session, focused on take-aways related to the business impact of service design. **About Our Speakers** **Roberta Tassi** Service Design pioneer, author of [servicedesigntools.org](http://servicedesigntools.org/) (published in 2009), founder and director of oblo (hyper-specialized service design agency based in Milan, Italy), former Head of Service Design for the Digital Transformation Team of the Italian Government (2017-2020) and Principal Designer at frog (2010-2016). **Sara Manzini** Service Design Lead in Wealth Management at Chase and former Design Lead at frog, Sara designs services in highly regulated environments, where she connects experiences across products, channels, and teams and helps turn strategy into products. **Agenda** * 6:00-6:30PM Meet & mingle over food and drink * 6:30-7:30PM Presentation * 7:30-8:00PM Discussion & Networking * 8:00PM - ? After-Party **Address** Intuit 51 Astor Place New York, NY 10003 **After-Party**: Cuna Bar The Standard 25 Cooper Sq **Financial Transparency & Scholarships** As a non-profit, we do our best to strike a balance between making our events available to all and ensuring we keep the lights on. For this event, we are charging $10. * If this amount is prohibitive for you to attend this event, please message [Barry](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/) on Meetup and we’ll provide you a scholarship to this event. You can also email us at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com as we may miss messages on this platform. * If you’d like to **provide** scholarships, please message [Barry](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/) at at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com and he will follow up with you. See you there :) David, Francesco, Yasmin, Lynn, Nicholas, & Barry

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Q4 Full Funnel Performance Creative: Discovery to Post-Click

**Q4 Full Funnel Performance Creative: Discovery to Post-Click** **​\*\*(Brands Only - Non Brands will be rejected)\*\*** ​BFCM isn't won at checkout - it's won weeks earlier, in the creative that gets built, tested, and refined while everyone else is still telling themselves October is plenty of time. ​This DTC Builders session is the pre-game. A room for Shopify founders and marketers to get honest about what full-funnel performance creative actually looks like heading into peak season — from the discovery ad that earns the scroll-stop, all the way through to the post-click landing page and offer that actually closes the sale. We're joined by **[Ed Weston, Co-Founder of ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-weston-prospa/?utm_source=luma)[Prospa](https://www.prospamedia.co.uk/?utm_source=luma)**, the performance marketing agency behind £50M+ in profit for 8-figure Shopify brands, to break down exactly how his team briefs, tests, and scales creative across the full funnel heading into BFCM. ​🎯 **Why you should be in this room.** * ​Get ahead of BFCM creative before the scramble. Now gives you enough runway to fix the funnel before late-Q4 panic mode. * ​Hear it from an agency running 8-figure Shopify accounts. Prospa manages £5M+ in monthly ad spend and has generated £50M+ in profit across 80+ ecommerce clients. * ​Pressure-test your own funnel. Discovery, consideration, landing pages, and the post-click gaps that quietly kill contribution margin once volume spikes. * ​See what's actually converting right now. Real creative angles, formats, and offer framing Prospa is running for 8-figure brands going into peak season. * ​Leave with a sharper creative brief. Not theory — a practical checklist for what to build and test before BFCM hits.

Games with Strangers

Love board games? Looking for someone to play with or something new to play? Come play games with us! Every Saturday night we run Games With Strangers. Grab a drink or dinner, meet some new people, and learn a new game. Our game expert will teach you our featured games for the night and make sure that things are running smoothly. Come be a part of our community!

"Fall Kick-Off" Glow Party (Cocktails & Connections)

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKETS AT**: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-kick-off-glow-party-cocktails-connections-tickets-1999735363303](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-kick-off-glow-party-cocktails-connections-tickets-1999735363303) (Limited # of ladies save $5 by using the discount code 5 at checkout. This event is being co-organized and promoted by multiple groups. This page only shows a very small portion of the actual attendees. Based on pre-sales, we expect to have a good # attending.) Imagine walking into a room and instantly spotting people you already have something in common with—before you even say a word. That’s what makes our Glow Party such a fun, relaxed way to meet people in NYC. Join up to 100 friendly members and guests from a variety of social groups for a night designed to make coming solo feel comfortable, natural, and fun. Whether you’re looking to make friends, expand your social circle, network, or simply enjoy a great night out, this event is all about connection—your way. Finally a party where you will meet others who are interested in the same things as you before you even say a word! This a fun and unique way to navigate the social scene! We use our glow bracelet color coding system as just one of the ways for you to identify and instantly connect with others who have the same interests as you! How it works: **We will have 6 different colored glow bracelets at the check in table. Each bracelet represents something that you are interested in (Green=outdoor activities, Red=singles events, Blue=arts/culture, Yellow=travel, etc). You will choose up to 3 colors that best represent things that interest you.** What to expect: * **Tri-state professionals looking to mix, mingle, and connect** * **We will have a private area reserved exclusively for our party** * **Ice breaker games with prizes** * **Our color coded system for finding like minded people** * **Hosts on hand to welcome you and introduce you to others** * **Music played at conversational levels** * **Full food & drink menu available including speciality drink specials** FAQs: **Can I come alone?** Most come on their own. If you don't know anyone, the ice-breakers will help you meet others. Come alone or bring a friend - either way you'll feel comfortable and have a great time. **How many members will be attending?** This is a multi-Meetup group event. This page only shows a very small portion of the actual attendees. **Is there a dress code?** No hats, sweats, t-shirts etc. Jeans ok. **Ages?** All welcome 21 and over. For more fun events follow: [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283)

Normandy Chateau, France Slowcation! - Sept 2026

**[NORMANDY CHATEAU, FRANCE SLOWCATION!](https://globe-drifters.com/trip/france-normandy-slowcation/)** **• Dates:** September 22 - October 1, 2026 *(10 days / 9 nights)* **• Cost:** $6600 *(per person, excluding flights)* **• Single supplement:** None! **• Detailed itinerary, chateau info, what's included, etc:** https://globe-drifters.com/trip/france-normandy-slowcation/[https://globe-drifters.com/trip/france-normandy-slowcation/](https://globe-drifters.com/trip/france-normandy-slowcation/) Click the link above for all the trip details. You can email [info@globe-drifters.com](info@globe-drifters.com) if you have questions! This is a slowcation where we'll rent out an entire chateau just for us, bring in a private chef to prepare dinner for us each night, and have a full-time guide throughout the entire trip. Plus, everyone gets their own room at no extra cost! Read more about a slowcation here: **[What is a slowcation?](https://globe-drifters.com/slowcations/)** \*\*\*A château in the heart of Normandy — your home away from home… \*\*\*Explore Normandy’s villages and landscapes that inspired great impressionist paintings as you sip and savor your way along the cheese and cider trail, retreating to a château at the end of the day to eat, drink, and be merry like French royalty. **Don’t just see history, sleep in history:** Stay in a château and feast on grand dinners fit for kings and queens, stroll through pristine gardens at sunset, and try a game of *pétanque* — a French favorite! **Cheese & Cider Trail:** Follow the trail through picturesque towns to taste Normandy’s world-renowned cheeses and hard ciders. **Private room:** Enjoy your own room in the château at no extra cost, providing a quiet retreat to relax after a day of exploring.

Welcome back! NYC Drinks + Designers (UX, UI, Product) Happy hour!

Welcome back to **Drinks & Designers** in Manhattan, back by popular demand! This is a casual happy hour made for **UX, UI, product and other digital designers** who are looking to mingle, make new friends and expand their network. There will be a mini ice breaker (nothing scary), sunset views and cocktails. See you there! **Please note you will need to RSVP to attend**.

The Virtue Circle: Industry — Character and Self-Improvement

**The Virtue Circle: Industry — Character and Self-Improvement** **Location:** Starbucks inside Target **Address:** 88-01 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 **Length:** 25 minutes This is a meeting of **The Virtue Circle**, an in-person discussion group focused on developing one virtue or high-performance attribute at a time. This week’s virtue is **Industry**. **Definition:** Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. **Interpretation:** Industry means using your time and energy for useful purposes, while reducing distraction, delay, and unnecessary activity. **Action:** Identify one unnecessary action that wastes your time, and replace it with one useful action this week. **Industry** is an important virtue because time is limited. When you use your time well, you become more productive, more reliable, and more capable of making steady progress. Industry is not about being constantly busy. It is about directing your effort toward what is useful and worthwhile. We will meet at the **Starbucks seating area inside Target** for a short, structured **25-minute discussion**. Look for **The Virtue Circle sign or notebook**. \*\*\* **Meeting Format** **1\. Virtue of the Week** We introduce **Industry**, including its definition and interpretation. **2\. Personal Reflection** Each person reflects on where **Industry** is currently strong or weak in their own life. **3\. Group Discussion** We discuss what **Industry** means, what makes it difficult to practice, and what it looks like in real conduct. **4\. Practical Action** Each person chooses one small action to practice **Industry** during the coming week. \*\*\* **Group Guidelines** Please arrive on time. Keep the discussion respectful, practical, and focused on the virtue of the week. Speak from your own life and experience. Listen carefully when others are sharing. The goal is not perfection. The goal is steady improvement. \*\*\* **Participation Note** Attendance is voluntary. **The Virtue Circle** is a discussion group for adults, focused on personal reflection and practical improvement only. It does not provide legal, medical, psychological, financial, or professional advice. Each member is responsible for their own conduct, choices, belongings, and personal safety while attending. \*\*\* No prior reading is required. New members are welcome.

UX Happy Hour irl (open to all levels)

######## You need to bring a physical Government Issued ID to be allowed to stay. It's the Law. ######## Whether you're a seasoned UX pro, just breaking into the field, or simply curious about design — this is your invite to pull up a chair and join the conversation. UX Happy Hour is a laid-back, no-agenda gathering where designers, researchers, product thinkers, and anyone design-curious can connect over drinks in a low-pressure setting. No slides. No networking theater. **Why attend:** • Meet new connection in organic way • Get feedback and fresh perspectives on your work (i.e. portfolio) or advice for your career • Stay sharp on what's happening in UX, AI, product, and tech right now • Meet potential collaborators, mentors, or future coworkers • Cheap drinks ($5 Guinness) **What to expect:** • Warm, welcoming crowd across all experience levels • Candid conversations about design, careers, tools, and everything in between • A great chill bar in the East Village to do it all in **Where to find us:** We're usually tucked in by the ATM at the back of Mona's. If you're not sure where we are, just ask the bartender — they know us! Come solo, bring a friend, or drag a coworker along. The more the merrier. Interested in sponsoring this event? Reach out to Danny (one of the organizers) for our sponsorship rate card.

Murder Mystery Mixer + After Party

**\*GET TICKETS AT:** [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/murder-mystery-mixer-tickets-55462015381](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/murder-mystery-mixer-tickets-55462015381) **(**\*Limited # save $5 by using discount code "5" at checkout. *Our events are co-organized by multiple groups so don't pay attention to the RSVPs. These events are consistently well attended.)* **This will be our ultimate Murder Mystery Party! Join us for a night of fun, deception, mystery, laughs and socializing. No experience is necessary and this is the perfect party whether you come alone or with a group of friends; by the end of the night you will have interacted with everyone in the room! This is 100% fun. Can you catch the killer? Cocktails and chaos await!** Our interactive murder mystery nights are a fun and different way to socialize on a Saturday evening! For each of these adventures, everyone at the party plays a role and everyone is a suspect! When you arrive our staff will be on hand to welcome you and give you a character to play in the story. It is designed to be fun and not super hard. During the night our host will narrate the chain of events that lead to the murder then it is up to you to solve the case! **What to expect?** You will be given a character that may be the person who everyone is looking for or you may be the person who solves the mystery. (You will not know right away). Our hosts will set the mood and explain what you need to do which is pretty much relax and enjoy the party with all of the other guests who are playing characters too! **What's the story?** **THE STORY** Katie and Ronald have been dating on and off since high school. Their relationship has survived breakups, makeups, money problems, cheating accusations, lies, jealousy, and enough drama to fill ten years of reality television. But somehow, they always found their way back to each other. After a decade together, Ronald finally popped the question—and now their wedding is only **one week away!** Katie and Ronald are convinced that the problems of their past are behind them. They’re older. They’re wiser. They’ve matured. They’ve forgiven each other. At least… that’s what they keep telling everyone. To celebrate their final days of single life, Katie and Ronald have decided to skip the traditional separate bachelor and bachelorette parties and throw **one enormous combined celebration** instead. They’ve chartered a party bus and invited an unforgettable collection of friends, family members, former flames, old enemies, questionable acquaintances, and a few characters from their past who probably should have stayed there. The plan is simple: pile onto the party bus, hit several locations, drink too much, party too hard, and celebrate the happy couple before they walk down the aisle. **What could possibly go wrong?** Apparently… everything. As the party rolls from one stop to the next, the drinks start flowing—and so do the secrets. Old grudges resurface. Past relationships are exposed. Feelings get hurt. Friendships are tested. Unexpected bonds are formed. Hookups happen. Accusations start flying. And some people begin to wonder whether Katie and Ronald should be getting married at all. Then the celebration takes a deadly turn. **Before the night is over, one member of the party will be DEAD.** Suddenly, everyone is a suspect. Was it the jealous ex-boyfriend who never got over the bride? The nagging future mother-in-law who thinks this wedding is a terrible mistake? A jilted former lover looking for revenge? The minister who knows more about the couple than anyone realizes? The bride’s bizarre brother, who’s been acting suspiciously all night? Or could the killer be someone even closer to the wedding…**Katie or Ronald themselves?** Everyone aboard the party bus has a story. Everyone has a secret. And someone has a motive for murder. You’re invited to join Katie and Ronald for one final night of partying before they say **“I do.”** But choose your friends carefully. Because tonight… **You could be the victim. You could be the murderer. Or you could be the one who solves the case.** Welcome aboard. FAQs: **Can I come alone?** Yes 90% of those attending will likely register on their own but you are invited to bring as many guests as you would like just register for that amount. **Age-specific?** All are welcome 21 and over. **How much?** $20-$30 depending upon how early you purchase. NOT sold at door. Game limited to 40 people and this sells out quickly. For more fun events follow: **[https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283)**

Jersey City Coworking: Portfolio/Passion Project Power Hour(s) ✨

September is here, the back-to-school energy is real, and maybe that means it's time to finally work on that portfolio, passion project, or vibe coding idea you've been meaning to get to since... let's not talk about it. 👀 Join UXPA-NJ for a casual coworking session at Harborside Financial Center. Bring your laptop, your half-finished case studies, that project you keep pushing to next week, or anything you'd love another designer's eye on. Let's actually get to it. Together. We'll have free Wi-Fi, comfy seating, and a room full of fellow designers and researchers who can relate. * Bring a charged laptop; outlets may be limited. * BYO snacks & drinks (light bites also available at the food court) **What we'll do**: work quietly, chat when we need a break, and cheer each other on. Where we’ll be: **The atrium at Harborside Financial Center** **210 Hudson St, Jersey City, NJ** 🏃🏽‍♂️ **2 minute walk** from Exchange Place Path station (building entrance is to the right when you exit the station) 🚌 **By bus:** NJTransit routes: 80, 1, 82 🚋 **Light rail**: Harborside station 🚲 **Citibike station:** Exchange Place or Washington & Morgan 🚗 **Parking:** [OneParking](https://oneparking.com/facilities/10-exchange-place-garage/) at 10 Exchange Place or street parking [ParkMobile Parking App | Find & Pay for Parking | On-street & Reservation](https://parkmobile.io/)

Dating Games: A Fun Twist on Speed Dating

For tickets and information: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997754542615](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997754542615) **IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICKING THE RSVP AND PAY ORGANIZER BUTTON ON MEETUP DOES NOT GET YOU A TICKET/ SPOT. YOU HAVE TO CLICK THE LINK TO THE EVENTBRITE PAGE AND PURCHASE A TICKET THERE. PRICE GOES UP AS EVENT TIME APPROACHES AND MAY SELL OUT SO GET YOUR TICKET ON EVENTBRITE ASAP.** **\*This is a multigroup event so event responses are only a portion of the total number of attendees** NYC Speed Dating - Dating Games Is your dating life starting to feel monotonous? Do your dates resemble job interviews more than actual chemistry? Sick of dedicating your entire evening to getting to know just one person? Then check out **“Dating Games” Speed Dating!** It’s a lively, modern twist on the classic format. Join us for a one-of-a-kind social experience for NYC singles! Meet new people, win raffle prizes, and connect with other fun, like-minded singles. It’s not only a great way to meet a potential partner—it’s also perfect for finding new friends or even future wingmen/wingwomen. **Suggested age range: 20s, 30s & 40s.** Our warm, welcoming host will get things started before dividing everyone into small groups at various tables. You’ll chat, mingle, and play lighthearted social games with groups of about 4–5 singles. The games are easy, super fun, and designed to help everyone open up and connect. After each round, you’ll rotate tables—just like traditional speed dating—so you'll eventually meet all the singles attending. You’ll also receive a “match sheet,” where you can mark anyone you’d like to speak with again. If they choose you as well, the host will email you each other’s contact information within roughly 24 hours so you can plan a date. Let’s be honest—we’re all tired of endless swiping on apps and meeting people who may not be anything like their profiles. A “Dating Games” Speed Dating night is a far better way to connect because you meet real people *in person* and get a genuine sense of who they are. This is an entirely new, innovative take on speed dating! We appreciate the idea behind traditional speed dating, but it can be tough to keep conversations flowing. That’s why at “Dating Games” events, you’ll have entertaining, easy-to-play games to help break the ice and avoid the typical interview-style awkwardness. We find this format helps people connect more naturally and meaningfully. ### WIN PRIZES! You’ll enjoy an evening full of fresh faces, interactive games, and social fun—no special skills needed, just a little luck! Our friendly host will guide the whole experience and help everyone get acquainted. Throughout the night you’ll play multiple games while getting opportunities to interact with all the singles of the opposite sex. When you win a game, you earn a raffle ticket—giving you chances to win prizes! ### IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PRE-PAY EVENT ONLY Tickets **must** be purchased online in advance—registration at the venue will *not* be available. As the event nears and space becomes limited, the price will increase to $35. *See more upcoming NYC events at [WWW.FRIENDZYEVENTS.COM](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dating-games-a-fun-twist-on-speed-dating-in-nyc-tickets-1982239058384?aff=oddtdtcreator)* For tickets and information: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997754542615](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997754542615)