New Private Networking Group Emerges in Chicago
The Scorpion Nest is operating as a private networking group and podcast in Chicago, aiming to connect influential people through curated experiences. The group organizes events like cigar pairings, industry speaker sessions, and private poker nights. This model reflects a trend toward exclusive, experience-based networking among business executives and social influencers.
- The group's founder is Thomas Kneifel, a Chicago native, veteran, and former Army helicopter pilot with a degree in sales and marketing from Northern Illinois University. He started the group in 2019, growing it from his personal passions and a desire to build a community of like-minded individuals. - The Scorpion Nest originated from a monthly poker game among friends and expanded during the COVID-19 lockdown, incorporating interests like pairing cigars and whiskeys. Today, the community has grown to include enthusiasts of wine, watches, mixology, and fashion. - Membership appears to be cultivated through personal connections and invitations rather than a formal, public application process. Their website offers a contact form for inquiries about hosting private events. - One of the key figures associated with the group is Josh Kercher, a well-known bespoke tailor in Chicago. Events have been hosted at his studio, indicating a connection to the city's luxury lifestyle and fashion scene. - The group's networking model is part of a larger trend in Chicago for exclusive, curated social and business connections. Other private groups in the city have significant membership fees, such as the Entrepreneur's Organization, which requires an annual fee of $4,970 with a $3,500 initiation fee, and the Astor Club, with initiation fees ranging from $2,400 to $100,000. - In addition to private events, The Scorpion Nest produces a podcast where founder Thomas Kneifel interviews notable Chicagoans to share their stories with the group's network.
