LIVING

Meetup.com has over 4.7 million users worldwide, having added over a million since January 2009. There are more than 100,000 monthly meetings for almost 57,000 groups, covering 4,000 interests in 5,000 cities. In Barcelona, there are presently 36 groups covering a wide range of interests. From the mainstream groups such as photography, salsa dancing, cinema, hiking, business strategy, computer programming, graphic design and language exchanges to more esoteric meet-ups like the Python programming group or the group formed to discuss the writings of the famous Italian blogger, Beppe Grillo. Without a doubt, there is something for everyone.

Catherine McPhilemy is originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, but has lived and worked in many different countries. She’s an enthusiastic member of the Women’s Activities and Travel group. “It is great to meet like-minded people, have a chat or a vermut. I’ve tried a few groups, salsa, brunch, excursions; there are good days and bad, good groups and, well, let’s say normal groups, but generally the people are always positive. Also, the activities are always good fun.”

When German designer Frederike Werckmeister arrived from London four years ago, like most people she was looking for work, a flat and a network of contacts. She found Meetup.com while surfing the web and joined the BCN graphic designers’ group only to find out that it was dormant. Meetup sent her an e-mail asking if she wanted to activate the group and become its organiser. It has been going strong ever since.

“We have a core of regulars that always come. Then there are the ones that come and go, they ask for information and never come back. But, generally, we have between five and 15 people per meeting. We have a great little bar on Calle Mercè, you can have a fancy cocktail, a cheap beer and food if you are coming straight from work. Sometimes we take field trips, MACBA, museums, openings, but generally we just talk. We work online all day, so it is a relief that the bar has no WiFi.”

Is there a downside to Meetup.com? “Not really,” said Werckmeister. “When I took over the group it was free. Now Meetup is charging something like six bucks a month, not bad. They sent me cards and a sign. Some groups charge the members, but I just cover it myself, I have made so many contacts and got so much work from it that I can’t complain. The only other thing I could say is that the members need to be more pro-active. No one wants a one-person show, it must be a collective of like-minded people. When I told my mother about the idea, she wanted to start a group in her tiny village in Germany. I imagine Meetup is going to grow very large, it just makes sense.”