What About Lunch?

In the aftermath of the pandemic, I had a brief but impactful conversation with a female attorney. She shared that working from home gave her something she hadn’t experienced consistently in years: dinner with her family. That moment made me pause. Were the “after work” happy hours, festive parties, and networking events I had been planning for professionals like her actually adding stress to their personal lives?

Before you schedule that next after-hours gathering, consider these three things:

1. Timing matters. Is your event landing right in the middle of back-to-school chaos? Or too close to the holidays, when calendars are already packed with school concerts and family commitments?

2. Know your audience. Millennials, for example, are often balancing thriving careers with raising young families. Evening events can feel more like an obligation than an opportunity.

3. Define your outcome. If your goal is to educate, share insights, or foster meaningful connections, why not rethink the format? Brunch or lunch can be just as effective—without pulling people away from precious family time.