Budget Friendly Events New York

CFO AI Leverage Report: AI Budgets, ROI and Finance Sign-Off

**Event Title** Enterprise AI is moving from experimentation into the finance office. Open Future Forum has released the **CFO AI Leverage Report, Edition 1**, introducing the **Enterprise AI Buying & Budget Index** and the **CFO AI Leverage Index**. The report examines how CFOs and senior finance leaders are evaluating AI budgets, buying authority, ROI, productivity, governance and the question now sitting at the center of enterprise AI adoption: **Can AI help companies grow output without growing headcount at the same rate?** Read the report here: [https://openfutureforum.com/research/cfo-ai-leverage-report](https://openfutureforum.com/research/cfo-ai-leverage-report) This private executive discussion will focus on what the report means for CFOs, founders, finance leaders, AI operators, investors and enterprise executives. We will look at how AI buying is shifting, who signs off on AI purchases, what finance teams are measuring, and why AI ROI is becoming a CFO-level issue rather than only a technology issue. According to the report, enterprise generative AI spending reached approximately **$37 billion in 2025**, more than tripling from the prior year. At the same time, the share of AI spend funded from experimental innovation budgets fell from **25% to 7%** in one year, showing that AI is moving into core operating budgets. The report also draws on Open Future Forum’s 2026 executive community activity, including **200+ executive registrations across 20+ events**, with **60+ finance leaders and operators**, **50+ security leaders**, and **100+ founders**. In an early directional read, **3 in 5 finance leaders asked said the CFO or finance organization signs off on AI purchases**, rather than the CEO or IT. This discussion is connected to the **CFO Executive Forum**, Open Future Forum’s invitation-only community for CFOs and senior finance leaders of high-growth companies. The CFO Executive Forum hosts small, off-the-record gatherings across Silicon Valley focused on AI, capital allocation, governance, growth, risk, productivity and the changing role of the finance function. Learn more about the CFO Executive Forum here: [https://openfutureforum.com/cfo-executive-forum](https://openfutureforum.com/cfo-executive-forum) **What we will discuss** How CFOs are evaluating enterprise AI spend Why AI budgets are moving from innovation budgets into operating budgets Who signs off on enterprise AI purchases How finance leaders are measuring AI ROI Whether AI can create real headcount leverage Where AI improves productivity, margin and capital efficiency Why founders selling AI tools need to understand the finance buyer How boards and investors are starting to ask harder questions about AI value **Who should attend** This event is designed for CFOs, VPs of Finance, controllers, finance operators, CEOs, founders, investors, enterprise AI leaders and executives responsible for AI budgets, AI transformation, productivity, governance or capital allocation. **Why this matters** The first phase of enterprise AI was about adoption. The next phase is about leverage. Executives are no longer asking only whether AI works. They are asking whether AI creates measurable business value, improves productivity, reduces operating drag, supports growth and helps teams do more without simply adding more tools, more vendors and more headcount. That is a finance question. The CFO AI Leverage Report and Enterprise AI Buying & Budget Index are designed to track that shift over time. **Key links** CFO AI Leverage Report: [https://openfutureforum.com/research/cfo-ai-leverage-report](https://openfutureforum.com/research/cfo-ai-leverage-report) CFO Executive Forum: [https://openfutureforum.com/cfo-executive-forum](https://openfutureforum.com/cfo-executive-forum) Open Future Forum: [https://openfutureforum.com](https://openfutureforum.com/)

ONLINE LIVE- Are you Brighter than a 6th grader? Trivia

**Prepay required at :** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539) Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL You can attend via a computer & Webcam or Smartphone/Ipad/Tablet. ABOUT Do you know more than 6th Graders! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live intearctive trivia game (Categories will be History, English/literature, Geography, Science, Math, Potpori). HOW IT WORKS This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. In addition you get to meet and interact with other participants. At game time, your host will read off Trivia questions. Your goal is to come up with the right answer to each question and write it down on your paper. Once the round is over (about 6 questions), we will go through the answers and determine who had the highest score for the round. They will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize at the end of the event. Prizes may include Amazon Gift Cards, Free future events and other goodies. We will have multiple rounds of play and have a system to also virtually introduce you to other participants. HOW DO YOU FIND THE VIRTUAL ROOM After you purchase your ticket, you will get a confirmation with the zoom link for you to use to log in. RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. **Prepay required at :** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13539) Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL Cost: $11.99- $20 depending on how early you register.

ONLINE LIVE- Word Game Party (Word Twist, Categories, Rebus and more)

**Prepay required at : [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13537](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13537)** Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL You can attend via a computer & Webcam or Smartphone/Ipad/Tablet. ABOUT In this crazy Coronavirus world, many of us are feeling isolated and need to socialize. We created Online WORD Game party event to allow you to do just that, in a fun safe environment. HOW IT WORKS This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. In addition you get to meet and interact with other participants. At game time, your host will show you a word search board. Your goal is to come up with as many words as you can within the specified time frame (Typically 90-120 seconds). The person(people) who made the most words, will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize at the end of the event. You also can earn raffle tickets for audience participation and finding certain bonus words. We will also play Categories, Rebus and other word games. (You must be on camera if you want a chance to win prizes. Otherwise you can play for fun if you are off camera, but just cant win any rounds) Prizes may include Amazon Gift Cards, Free future events and other goodies. We will have multiple rounds of play and have a system to also virtually introduce you to other participants. HOW DO YOU FIND THE VIRTUAL ROOM After you purchase your ticket, you will get a confirmation with the zoom link for you to use to log in. RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. **Prepay required at : [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13537](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13537)** Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL Cost: $11.99- $20 depending on how early you register.

New York Dodgeball Open Gym (UES)

This is a social event, so while some of us like to revel in being competitive, the goal is to meet people and have fun! That being said, headshots are **NOT ALLOWED**. We use cloth style dodgeballs. This provides a fun, friendly and competitive environment without any pain or bruising. The games are set to cool music. Basically, it’s one big party with dodgeball, music and friends. We’ll pick teams from people who show up each week. There will be no refs, but experienced New York Dodgeball players will oversee games. Co-ed, ages 21 and up. Please note we **always** have enough players for this event. Meetup is just one place we advertise, so if you only see one or two RSVPs please know that there will be others attending. We have a regular group of players who attend regularly and we would love for you to be part of this group. Wear athletic style clothing (work out clothes, basketball sneakers) and knee pads if you have them. If you wear glasses, we recommend wearing contacts or sports goggles. Event Details: Venue Address: 921 Madison Ave. New York, NY Date: Thursday July 9th Cost: $10 (Accepting Cash, Venmo or Zelle)

ONLINE Interactive BINGO(from your computer)

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO PRINT or DRAW A PHYSICAL BINGO CARD. We will email you with how to get it after registering. **Prepay required at : [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13624](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13624)** Limited Number: Save $$ by using the discount code: VIRTUAL Do you Love to play BINGO! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the Safety and Comfort of your home. Prize will be a Amazon Gift card, free future events and maybe some others. This event will be held in a Zoom Virtual Room which you would access through your computer and webcam, or via your Smart Phone/Tablet. Zoom is super easy to use. We may do a variety of games such as traditional bingo, four corners bingo and full card bingo. Rsvps on here are NOT reflective of actual attendance as this is a multi group event. **Prepay required at :** **[https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13624](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13624)** Cost: $11.99- $20 depending on how early you register.

Meet New Friends- Rotating Trivia and Social Game Night In NYC

For tickets and information: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995344101922](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995344101922) Come check out this fun way to make new friends in NYC. Join us for a unique social event! Make new social connections, win raffle prizes and expand your social circle. Our friendly host will welcome everyone and then you'll be grouped off into separate tables where you'll get to meet, chat with and play fun trivia rounds and social games with other people in small groups of about 4-6 people. You'll rotate from table to table getting a chance to meet all the other people in attendance ***\*\* All ages are welcome but the typical age range for the event is 20s, 30s & 40s \*\**** \*\*\* PLEASE ARRIVE AT OR BEFORE THE LISTED START TIME \*\*\* **WIN PRIZES!!!** For tickets and information: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995344101922](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995344101922) \*\* SEE MORE UPCOMING NYC AREA EVENTS AT [WWW.FRIENDZYEVENTS.COM](http://www.friendzyevents.com/)

Who pays for the cloud?

Welcome to “**Skeptic Dinners**,” a series of events facilitated by Prof. [Massimo Pigliucci](https://figsinwintertime.substack.com/), a philosopher and biologist at the City College of New York. The idea is similar to that of the [Ancient Greek symposia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symposium): let’s get a small number of like-minded people together over drinks and food and discuss interesting subjects! *** What are the pros and cons of having a data center in your town? Does it drive up land prices? How should we think of the environmental and social costs associated with data centers? Who should pay them? Suggested readings: [Who pays for the cloud](https://www.carbon-direct.com/insights/who-pays-for-the-cloud-the-hidden-costs-of-rising-data-center-demand)? The hidden costs of rising data center demand (Carbon Direct) [Buying Land for Data Center Development](https://www.datacenterrealestate.com/news/real-estate-trends-buying-land-for-data-center-development-in-2025) in 2025 (Data Center Real Estate) \*\*\* **Location:** a private apartment in mid-town Manhattan (west side), the exact address will be communicated to members who rsvp for the event. **Food:** we will order pizza, feel free to bring wine to share.

Restaurant Week Dinner - Flatiron

Restaurant Week lunch at Gui Steakhouse

Lets Dine NYC at Elephant Ear

Come and join us at Elephant Ear for authentic thai cuisine in a trendy setting with great pineapple fried rice and great papaya salad and their famous duck curry and amongst other items to select from. If you RSVP for two events for this group and cancel without prior notice, you will no longer be able to attend any other events for this group. If for any reason you cannot make it please cancel ahead of time and give someone on the waitlist a chance to attend. The deposit for the event is $30.00 per person You can Venmo me at 516-974-9203 Zebunnessa You must purchase one food and one drink in order to participate and must be willing to pay 1.3 times the total amount of your bill to include taxes and gratuities. Thank you and hope to see you !!

🗽🍹Young Professionals Happy Hour

🗽🍻FREE EVENT! Happy hour for people to make friends & socialize in NYC. Perfect for those new to nyc! More events @ **[https://linktr.ee/NYC.Connects.Social](https://linktr.ee/NYC.Connects.Social)** Professionals (21+-35+yrs) NYC Networking Social Monday and people new to NYC making new friends 🗽🔌A Monday After work NYC Social by NYC CONNECTS Social Meetup! Make new professional connections & friends at our event. We are to the left of the bar, darts area. 👔Young professionals aged 21+-35 years old attending. If older, yes you can join! We are open to all those in NYC that want to make new connections. 1-2 drink purchases or food required to attend. Questions? Text host at (718) 300-6483 If you are totally new to NYC, fantastic! Come make new friends on Monday with us; something to look forward to after work! * Make new NYC friends * Meetup social * Young professionals and friends * Network, connect and meet those new to NYC * NYC business networking * Bronx - Manhattan - Queens - Brooklyn - Staten Island - New Jersey - Long Island networking Meet, talk with new people in NYC, make new connections in New York City. ️More @ [linktr.ee/NYC.Connects.Social](https://linktr.ee/NYC.Connects.Social) Industries that join and participate! NYC Finance networking Social NYC Accounting networking Social NYC Technology and startups networking Social NYC College graduates making new friends Social NYC Healthcare networking Social NYC Fintech Networking Social NYC Legal and lawyers networking Social NYC PHD graduates networking Social NYC Education and teachers Networking Social NYC Real Estate Networking

Restaurant Week at Margaux

It's Summer Restaurant Week.. Let's switch things up with a dinner instead of our usual brunch. Let's go to Margaux by La Sirene. Description from Resy: It’s the sister project of a cult-favorite French restaurant (La Sirène, ICYMI), conveniently located for your Midtown power lunch needs. Chef Didier Pawlicki is serving up all the classics, from escargots and foie gras to brie and jambon sandwiches. Oui, chef! They are offering 3 courses for $60. link to menu: https://margaux.lasirene.nyc/menu/restaurant-week/ **Please be advised: Many places require full table participation during restaurant week. You should be prepared to order from it.** They are offering a 3 course meal for $60. total with tax and tip is $78. If you order additional food or drinks your total will be higher. **Note:** Please be on time! Confirm your RSVP 48 hours in advance. **(I'll post a comment for you to like)** Please bring cash to make bill splitting easier.