‘Curated Intimacy': Why Smaller, Story-Driven Networking Events Are Outshining Mega-Conferences

The Shift From Scale to Substance

For years, the event industry equated success with scale, more attendees, more panels, more buzz. But brands are beginning to question that logic. Professionals no longer chase marathon conference days in impersonal venues; they crave moments that matter — smaller gatherings where conversations feel authentic, and design choices spark engagement rather than overwhelm them.

This emerging philosophy—curated intimacy—is something Eventflare has helped pioneer. Eventflare recognised early that connection—not attendance count—determines impact. Our work with Udemy in Amsterdam and US Expat in Lisbon provides two distinct but complementary case studies of how smart event design and local insight can transform networking from a transactional exchange into a meaningful experience.

Amsterdam: The Power of the Welcoming Space

When global learning platform Udemy wanted to host a simple networking breakfast in Amsterdam, the brief was clear: avoid anything that felt too “corporate.” Udemy wanted to bring professionals together in a space that encouraged casual connection and reflection, a welcome change from sterile meeting rooms or formal conference halls.

Eventflare immediately recognised that venue choice would make or break that goal. They proposed one of Amsterdam's hidden gems: Generator Amsterdam, a venue known for its creative interiors and flexible layouts. Initially, the team considered the ‘Library,’ a book-lined room that offers a characterful, intellectual backdrop for conversation, the kind of environment where people instinctively relax. As attendance increased, the team moved to the venue’s auditorium, a larger yet equally stylish space with modern touches and adaptable seating.

The shift was seamless, a testament to Eventflare's long-standing partnership with the venue. Because of that relationship, the team could accommodate last-minute adjustments effortlessly, giving Udemy full confidence that their vision would hold. The event itself ran smoothly: attendees arrived to a thoughtfully curated breakfast spread, mingled naturally, and enjoyed an atmosphere that felt simultaneously professional and personal.

There were no grand stage moments, no sprawling agendas, just meaningful connections. In a world crowded with noise, simplicity became sophistication.

Lisbon: A Masterclass in Social Connection

Meanwhile, in Lisbon, Eventflare designed and produced a private networking reception for US Expat that exemplified a different kind of intimacy, one steeped in culture and place. The event took place at the Palácio de Tancos, a historical landmark with sweeping views over the city. Far from a generic conference venue, the palácio itself became a storyteller, anchoring the event in Lisbon's rich identity.

US Expat, a community for American professionals living abroad, wanted the evening to feel like a gathering among friends: refined, purposeful, yet relaxed. To achieve that, Eventflare designed the experience around atmosphere rather than itinerary. The guest list was selective and deliberately small, with RSVPs reviewed to maintain a comfortable, conversational dynamic. Drinks and canapés replaced formal dinners. Dialogue replaced speeches.

The setting, the scale, and the pace worked in harmony. Lisbon's soulful energy infused the event with warmth and authenticity, a perfect match for the brand's mission of helping expatriates connect across borders. By localising the experience, Eventflare transformed a simple networking night into a cultural exchange, a reminder that space and story are deeply intertwined.

What ‘Curated Intimacy' Really Means

At the heart of both events lies a shared philosophy: design connection through feeling, not formality. Curated intimacy isn't about cutting corners or limiting reach; it's about crafting environments where genuine interactions flourish.

Three elements define this approach:

1. Human-Centric Design: Spaces that feel lived-in, like a library, café, or historic hall, prompt people to engage differently. They break down social hierarchies and make networking less performative. Eventflare's Amsterdam breakfast did this beautifully by choosing a venue that balanced professional polish with personality.
2. Flexibility as a Feature: No two conversations—or clients—are the same. Flexibility in venue, layout, and flow allows an event to evolve naturally. In both Amsterdam and Lisbon, Eventflare's trusted venue relationships meant the teams could adjust to changing needs without stress or compromise.
3. Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity: Networking doesn't happen in a vacuum. The cities themselves—Amsterdam's modern edge and Lisbon's historic charm—shaped the tone of each gathering. By embracing local aesthetics and customs, Eventflare created experiences that felt authentic, not imported.

Why Small is the New Smart

Beyond atmosphere, curated intimacy offers tangible business benefits. Smaller events lead to higher-quality interactions and longer-lasting relationships. Attendees are more present, more engaged, and more likely to remember both the people they met and the brand that hosted them.

In Amsterdam, the relaxed morning rhythm encouraged organic conversation, the sort that often sparks real collaboration later. In Lisbon, a limited guest list allowed participants to form genuine bonds without the fatigue of large-scale networking. For hosts, this means stronger ROI: fewer touchpoints, deeper impact.

There's also a psychological dimension at play. When attendees feel comfortable — when the lighting is soft, the layout fluid, the food inviting — they associate those positive emotions with the brand. That's what Eventflare understands deeply: that designing emotion is as crucial as designing logistics.

From Logistics to Storytelling: A New Role for Event Planners

In this new paradigm, event planners aren't just coordinators; they're experience designers and brand interpreters. Eventflare's work across both cities illustrates that evolution. Our expertise lies not just in booking venues or managing catering but in translating a brand's identity into spatial and sensory terms.

For Udemy, that meant crafting a setting that mirrored its ethos of accessibility and curiosity, a breakfast that encouraged discovery and dialogue. For US Expat, it meant anchoring an expat community in local authenticity, blending American openness with Portuguese charm.

Each event told a story through subtle details: the choice of space, the rhythm of interaction, even the type of food served. Those micro-decisions, though invisible to most attendees, collectively shape the event's emotional resonance. That's the art of curated intimacy.

Lessons for Modern Networking Events

For companies rethinking their event strategies, these case studies offer valuable lessons:

• Start Small, Think Deep. A well-designed gathering of 50 can often achieve more than a thousand-person summit.
• Let the Venue Speak. Choose spaces that align with your brand personality: cosy, bold, creative, or classic. The venue should say what your logo can't.
• Prioritise Flow Over Format. Allow attendees to move, explore, and converse organically. Unstructured moments often yield the strongest connections.
• Invest in Relationships With Venues and Suppliers. Trusted partners bring flexibility, creativity, and calm under pressure.
• Measure Success by Feeling. Post-event feedback isn't just about numbers; it's about whether people felt welcome, inspired, and seen.

A Quiet Revolution in Networking

When viewed together, Amsterdam and Lisbon tell a broader story about where professional gatherings are headed. The future of networking isn't louder, flashier, or more technologically complex.  It's smaller, smarter, and more human.

It's about replacing spectacle with sincerity, swapping panel marathons for meaningful conversation, and recognising that the spaces we choose profoundly shape the relationships we form. Brands like Udemy and US Expat are already seeing the benefits, proving that intimacy isn't a luxury; it's a strategy.

Wrapping Up

As the line between work and life continues to blur, the most successful networking experiences will be those that feel less like obligations and more like opportunities for belonging. Whether over coffee in a creative library or cocktails in a centuries-old palace, what matters most is not how many people attend, but how deeply they connect.

For Eventflare, this isn't just a service philosophy; it's a design principle. By turning logistics into storytelling and spaces into experiences, the agency demonstrates that the future of networking isn't about doing more; it's about doing it better.

Because in the end, people don't remember the agenda. They remember how the room made them feel.