Mostest x a16z Tech Week at Maxwell Social

Overview

As AI becomes more powerful, human connection becomes even more valuable.

That idea was at the center of Mostest’s NYC Tech Week event at Maxwell Social: an intimate gathering of 100 leaders across technology, hospitality and community exploring how technology is changing the way we connect—and why bringing people together in real life matters more than ever.

Hosted in Maxwell Social’s Grand Room library, the evening combined thoughtful programming with the warmth of a great dinner party: a setting designed not just for people to hear the conversation, but to continue it long after the panel ended.

The Goal

NYC Tech Week is packed with ambitious ideas, packed calendars and hundreds of competing events. Mostest wanted to create something that felt different.

Rather than another traditional conference-style panel, the goal was to create an environment that encouraged genuine conversation and connection.

The experience needed to feel elevated but not corporate, intimate despite a 100-person guest list, and intentionally designed around what happened between guests—not just what happened on stage.

The Challenge

The biggest planning consideration was translating a big, abstract topic—AI and the future of human connection—into an experience that actually demonstrated the idea.

The venue, room layout, design, programming and flow all needed to reinforce connection. Guests had to be able to comfortably engage with the panel while still feeling like they were part of a social gathering, with a natural transition from programmed conversation into organic networking.

And during one of New York’s busiest event weeks, every element needed to come together seamlessly.

The Mostest Approach

Mostest managed the experience from venue selection through execution.

Venue Concierge: Sourced and secured Maxwell Social, selecting the Grand Room library for its residential, intimate atmosphere and ability to bring 100 guests together without losing a sense of connection.

Design: Developed an experience that complemented the character of Maxwell Social rather than competing with it, creating an environment that felt warm, intentional and distinctly un-conference-like.

Coordination: Managed the moving pieces leading up to the event and on-site execution, ensuring the program, partners, venue and guest experience came together seamlessly.

Content Creation: Mostest and Nicolette Collective captured the people, conversations and atmosphere of the evening, extending the event beyond the room itself.

The Results

The strongest signal came after the panel was over: people stayed.

Guests remained in the library, continued the conversations sparked during the program and connected with one another well beyond the formal programming.

For an event centered on the future of AI, the takeaway was refreshingly human: technology can make almost anything more efficient, but the most meaningful experiences still give people a reason to come together.

The Vendor Team

• Venue: Maxwell Social
• Partner: TECH WEEK by a16z
• Content: Mostest + Nicolette Collective

Why It Worked

The topic was AI. The experience was intentionally human.

Instead of simply talking about the importance of connection, the event was designed to create it.

Maxwell Social provided the right setting. The panel provided the spark. And the experience gave 100 people a reason to stay in the room, keep talking and build relationships in real life.

That’s what Mostest is built to do.