Why We Need a Third Space: Forward After 5
We all have our homes, our workplaces, our schools, and our daily routines. But where do we go when we want to meet someone new, have a conversation, make a connection, or just spend time around other people?
This is where the idea of a “third space” comes in.
A third space is somewhere outside of home and work where people can gather, connect, and build relationships. It doesn't have to be complicated. It can be refreshing to get out of your everyday routine and find yourself in a new space with new people. Sometimes it is a coffee shop, a park, a community center, or a local business. What makes it special is the opportunity it creates for people to slow down, talk, and connect. Do something out of the ordinary from your typical routine… school, work, home, practice, chores, and so on!
This is especially important in a rural community like ours.
At Forsyth Forward, we want to help create more of these opportunities for connection. We want our community to have places where businesses can meet one another, nonprofits can share what they are working on, and community members can walk through the door and feel welcome and seen.
That is where Forward After 5 comes in.
What is Forward After 5?
Forward After 5 is Forsyth Forward's after-hours networking series designed to bring together local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
But we don't want this to feel like another formal networking event where you walk in, hand out a few business cards, and leave. We want it to feel like a fun engaging community gathering.
Each Forward After 5 event will be hosted by a local business or organization, giving them an opportunity to put their business in the spotlight while also creating a space for others to connect. Hosts can share their story, introduce their team, showcase their services, offer a demonstration, highlight a special, or simply open their doors and invite people in.
The format is intentionally flexible because every business and every event is different. Events will typically last about 60–90 minutes between 5–8 PM, with time for open networking, conversation, and connection.
Why Host?
Hosting a Forward After 5 is a chance to do more than promote your business. It is an opportunity to be part of building a community with strong ties.
As a host, you can
Put your business in the spotlight
Increase your visibility through Forsyth Forward's promotion
Introduce people to your business, services, and team
Connect with other local businesses and community leaders
Demonstrate your commitment to our community
Create a welcoming space for people to meet and build relationships
And Forsyth Forward will help make it easy.
We will provide event promotion, social media support, event signage, RSVP assistance, recognition of the host, and the space and resources needed to make the event successful.
Our space includes comfortable seating, a boardroom, large screens for presentations or videos, and refreshments such as coffee, water, soda, and light snacks.
Building More Opportunities to Connect
One of the most important things we can do as a community is create more opportunities for people to show up. Show up for a local business. Show up for a new connection. Show up for a conversation. Show up for support.
Sometimes those small interactions are what lead to something bigger. A new partnership, a new customer, a new volunteer, or simply getting to know someone you might not have otherwise met.
That is what we hope Forward After 5 can become, a consistent third space for our Forsyth Township business community.
A place to gather after work. A place to meet your neighbors. A place to learn what other people in our community are doing. And most importantly, a place to build the relationships that help move Forsyth Township forward.
Interested in hosting a Forward After 5? We'd love to connect with you!
Contact execdirector@forsythforward.org for scheduling.
