HARO (Help a Reporter Out), the journalist request platform owned by Featured.com, will host its second HARO Happy Hour on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. MST at Industrious in Scottsdale Fashion Square, located at 7014 E Camelback Rd Suite B100A in Scottsdale, Arizona. Admission is free with RSVP. The first event, held at the same venue on April 16, 2026, drew 60 attendees, filling the room and prompting a repeat gathering before the end of the year.
HARO Happy Hour is an in-person networking event designed for both sides of a media query: journalists who post requests and the PR professionals, founders, and experts who respond to them. There is no formal program or agenda, and drinks are provided by HARO. Attendees can expect conversations with PR, communications, and media professionals from across Arizona, as well as optional short breakouts on how HARO works and what the HARO team is building next. Those who have used HARO, pitched through it, responded to a query, or simply wondered how the platform operates are encouraged to attend.
Brett Farmiloe, founder and CEO of Featured.com, which owns HARO, said, “Our first HARO Happy Hour showed us how much the people who use HARO want to meet each other in person. Journalists and the sources who answer them work together every day through HARO queries, and this is a chance to put faces to names.” The event underscores the value of face-to-face connections in an industry increasingly reliant on digital communication.
Brands have a unique opportunity to participate by applying to include a physical product in the HARO Gift Bag, which every guest receives. There is no fee to be included. Brands supply the product and cover shipping to Scottsdale. Products are selected based on fit for a PR and media audience, with a minimum of 35 units required and 70 or more preferred. Selected brands will be named with a link in the HARO Happy Hour recap article and mentioned in the recap post on LinkedIn. Each may also include a branded gift tag or sticker with its product. Products must arrive by Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. Full requirements and application details are available at https://blog.helpareporter.com/haro-happy-hour-in-scottsdale-on-nov-19-rsvp-and-haro-gift-bag-details/.
HARO itself has a notable history. Founded in 2008, it was shut down by its previous owner in December 2024 and relaunched by Featured in April 2025. The free newsletter connects journalists with expert sources and delivers journalist requests in three weekday editions, having sent more than 100 million emails in the past year. It is supported by advertising and remains free for both journalists and sources. Featured, the AI co-pilot for PR, owns and operates HARO and Connectively as standalone products within its portfolio.
For those planning to attend, RSVP is required at https://luma.com/glcd3i3y. The event will be held inside Scottsdale Fashion Square, next to the Apple Store, with parking available in the Fashion Square Parking Garage off Scottsdale Road, where the basement level two usually has the most space. The gathering represents a significant opportunity for professionals in media and public relations to strengthen their networks and for brands to gain visibility among a targeted audience.
