The Original AI: Connection Quick-Starts
Ancient intelligence for real human connection
Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Dancin Vineyards, 4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501
Most of us have been to enough networking events to know what does not work. The small talk that goes nowhere or the business cards you collect and never follow up on. The exhausting performance of trying to seem interesting to strangers for two hours.
Elissa Denton is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a research-informed approach to something most of us have been doing wrong. She studies how humans connect and collaborate, and she is bringing that into the room at our August mixer.
Here is what she calls it: the Original AI. Ancient Intelligence. The deeply wired, time-tested human capacity to connect, collaborate, and create together. Long before algorithms and artificial intelligence, humans figured out how to build real relationships that lasted. We are still wired for it. We just need to practice it.
You will leave with new skills and real connections, not a handful of business cards you will never follow up on. Elissa is going to show us how to actually do this, in a way that feels human, not transactional.
Come ready to connect!
Our Speaker
Elissa Denton, LCSW, is the owner of Alchemy Consulting and a speaker and consultant specializing in well-being and performance in high-impact professions. She is known for engaging, pragmatic presentations and thrives on connection and collaboration.
Sponsored by Carol Krueger with Edward Jones
Edward Jones is committed to partnering for positive impact to improve the lives of clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society.
Register Online
Most of us have been to enough networking events to know what does not work. The small talk that goes nowhere or the business cards you collect and never follow up on. The exhausting performance of trying to seem interesting to strangers for two hours.
Elissa Denton is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a research-informed approach to something most of us have been doing wrong. She studies how humans connect and collaborate, and she is bringing that into the room at our August mixer.
Here is what she calls it: the Original AI. Ancient Intelligence. The deeply wired, time-tested human capacity to connect, collaborate, and create together. Long before algorithms and artificial intelligence, humans figured out how to build real relationships that lasted. We are still wired for it. We just need to practice it.
You will leave with new skills and real connections, not a handful of business cards you will never follow up on. Elissa is going to show us how to actually do this, in a way that feels human, not transactional.
Come ready to connect!