Legendary Lunch Networking #1: Retrain The Funk Out Of Portland

Overview

Legendary Lunch #1: Reclaim Portland. Retrain Portland.

If you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just ready to stop waiting for Portland to come back—join us.

AI isn’t a career killer. Fear is.

Let’s rebuild community, confidence, and creativity—one lunch at a time.

Why This Matters

Portland’s energy used to be legendary—builders, dreamers, tinkerers meeting over sandwiches and big ideas. Somewhere along the way, that spark faded. Now, in what I call the Great Portland Downturn, we have a chance to get it back.

This isn’t another networking event. It’s a revival—a working lunch for people who want to build, adapt, and reconnect. Whether you’re looking for a job, plotting a pivot, or trying to make sense of AI’s impact on your work, this is for you.

What to Expect

• Real talks, no fluff. Fast, practical sessions on AI, the future of work, and what’s actually next.
• Unconference format. From 1:30–3:30 PM, you lead the conversations—lightning talks, birds-of-a-feather groups, soapboxes.
• Actual community. No recruiters or empty pitches. Just people helping people get unstuck and move forward.

Sample Sessions

• Using AI to scale your job search – find better opportunities, faster
• How to prepare before layoffs hit – use adrenaline and AI to stay ahead
• Why liberal arts are the hidden power skill of the AI age
• English as the new programming language – communicate, think in systems, and get results without coding
• Agentic and code-swarming workflows – what’s emerging at Nedspace right now
• Staying sane while job-hunting with AI – practical mental health tools
• AND MORE COMING EACH DAY.....

Want to speak or host a group? Great. Submit your idea—you’ll get a 30-minute slot.
(And yes, no commercial talks unless they clearly add value to the community.)

Who We Are

My name is Surj Patel, and along with my ally Shaan Kirpalani, we’re determined to make Portland network like it used to—and care like it used to. With help from Faris Mubarak and Nedspace, we’re hosting this series as part of our mission to retrain, reconnect, and reignite the city’s creative core.

The Spirit

You don’t need to learn Python or become a Stanford-trained prompt whisperer. You need discipline, common sense, and systems thinking.

AI doesn’t make you someone else—it amplifies who you already are.
Let’s make sure it amplifies the best parts of us.

This is where Portland’s comeback begins. Greatness isn’t given—it’s built. Together.

Hosted by NEOU at Nedspace, downtown Portland’s entrepreneurial hub.
Free admission with BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) or paid tickets include a catered meal.

FREE. FOCUSED. FUN. FAST FORWARD.

(We welcome more collaborations , reach out by signing up)