The Magic of Showing Up: ServiceNow MeetUp Group Leader
The one and only — the legendary bowtie master himself — Mr. Chuck Tomasi, joining us at one of our gatherings!
When it comes to building community in the ServiceNow ecosystem, ServiceNow Meetups are where the magic happens. These local, community-led meetups bring together people who are passionate about learning, sharing, and growing. In this feature, we sat down with Monette, a dynamic ServiceNow Meetup leader, to talk about how she became one of its driving forces of the group. Her story reminds us that sometimes the best career moves are sparked by curiosity and a sense of belonging.
Meet Monette Esparcia
Isela: Monette, tell us about yourself and your current role in the ServiceNow ecosystem.
Monette: Hi, I am the founder and CEO of Perti Solutions Inc. At Perti, we offer ServiceNow consulting and staff augmentation.
Isela: Is your background in IT? If not, what inspired you to explore a career in the ServiceNow space?
Monette: I earned my degree in Computer Science and began my career as a software engineer in the Philippines. My work gave me the opportunity to travel to Japan and the UK, where many of our clients were based.
When I moved to Canada, I took on a role as a team lead for application support at a financial company in Vancouver. In 2011, the University of British Columbia (UBC) was looking for a ServiceNow developer. At the time, there weren’t many professionals with direct ServiceNow experience, so they opened the role to developers with related backgrounds—like Java. That opportunity became my entry point into ServiceNow. UBC invested in my growth by sending me to multiple ServiceNow trainings, and from that moment, I never looked back.
Since then, my journey in the ServiceNow space has been deeply rewarding. After UBC, I joined a ServiceNow partner as an engagement manager, and eventually, I founded my own company, providing ServiceNow consulting and staff augmentation. It’s been incredible to grow alongside the platform and contribute to building the community of ServiceNow professionals.
Inspiration & First Impressions
Isela: What first sparked your interest in joining a ServiceNow Meetup?
Monette: I’ve never joined a ServiceNow Meetup before founding/organizing one. There wasn’t any near me. I heard about it from LinkedIn post and have been wanting to start one in Vancouver. Up until the time we started the meetup here, there was no ServiceNow community in Vancouver at all
Isela: What motivated you to take the leap from attendee to ServiceNow Meetup leader?
Make it stand out
Monette: I actually started a meetup without ever having attended one before. I had only heard about the incredible sense of community they create, but there wasn’t a ServiceNow Meetup in Vancouver—or anywhere nearby. When Glen Chiasson moved here from Kitchener, where he and Paul McNamara had already launched a meetup, he was surprised to find there wasn’t one in Vancouver. He asked if I’d be interested in starting one with him—and I was all in. I have Glen to thank for in getting me involved in this.
“I started a meetup without ever attending one before—I just knew the kind of community it could build, and I was all in.”
Stepping Into Leadership
Isela: What was the biggest challenge in starting (or stepping into leading) your local ServiceNow Meetup?
Monette: The biggest challenge in starting our meetup was simply letting people know we existed. In the beginning, engagement was very low—only a few people would show up, and we weren’t sure how to reach those who would have been interested. It was tough to get the word out and build awareness that a ServiceNow community was here. That contrast to where we are today is huge, but back then the hardest part was visibility and engagement.
Isela: How do you keep your community engaged and excited to show up?
Monette: One of the turning points for us was inviting Chuck Tomasi to Vancouver. He’s such a recognized name in the ServiceNow world, and his visit really put us on the map. It signaled to people that our community was real and worth being part of. We were so lucky that he liked the idea of coming to our event as our guest speaker and even luckier that his boss back then, Mark Obee, approved his travel to come!
Since then, we’ve kept the momentum by alternating between learning days and social days each quarter. Learning days focus on relevant knowledge-sharing, while social days are all about fun activities, great venues, food, and yes—swag! We try to make each event something people genuinely look forward to.
What’s really special, though, is how the community has grown organically. Members engage with each other, share ideas, become friends, and even keep the conversation going in our chat group—whether it’s professional tips or just funny random banter. That organic connection is what makes people want to come back.
Isela: What advice would you give someone who’s considering launching a ServiceNow Meetup in their area?
Monette: My biggest piece of advice is: don’t do it alone. Try to recruit a co-organizer – that’s what Glen did when he recruited me! He and I are glad about that because it makes a difference when there is someone else helping you.
The second most important advice is reach out to Tanvi Gokhale—she’s the go-to person for launching a meetup.
I’d also suggest checking out the interviews on our Meetup Mixer YouTube channel: Meetup Mixer - YouTube, where organizers from around the world share their experiences. Kali Alexander also has a video on her linkedIn where she interviewed me and Glen on our advice for those who what to start a meetup. Look it up if you have a chance.
And of course, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Glenn directly if you have questions. It may help to watch some of those videos first—they’ll give you a clear roadmap and help you know what to ask. Building a meetup is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
“The hardest part at the beginning was just letting people know we existed. Once the community discovered us, everything changed.”
The Power of Community
How has leading a ServiceNow Meetup impacted your own growth—personally or professionally?
Leading the meetup has expanded my world in so many ways. Personally, I’ve met newcomers—graduates of programs like NextGen and RiseUp—who are just starting their careers and looking for opportunities. Supporting them has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve also gained a community of people who truly understand what I do, which is something my non-ServiceNow friends can’t always relate to.
Professionally, while we don’t encourage active recruiting at events, the networking has been invaluable. Members are able to connect outside of meetups, and I’ve even successfully hired talented people from our community. It’s made me a better leader, a stronger connector, and more aware of the impact community can have.
Have there been any “wow” moments where you saw the power of this community in action?
I’m always amazed by the dedication of our members. We once held an event outside the city center, and I wasn’t sure how many people would make the trip—but the turnout was incredible. Seeing people go out of their way just to be together showed me how much this community matters.
Another ‘wow’ moment is watching members help each other—sharing advice, troubleshooting implementation challenges, and offering support. That’s the power of community: people showing up not just for themselves, but for each other.”
What makes a ServiceNow Meetup meeting truly memorable or valuable to its members?
When I ask our members this question, the answer is consistent: it’s the unique blend of professional growth and personal connection. They value being part of a group where everyone not only works in tech, but also shares the same platform—ServiceNow. It creates a space where people can share knowledge, gain insights, improve their careers, and build friendships at the same time.
Of course, the little extras don’t hurt either—delicious food, amazing swag, and fun venues. We’ve hosted events in arcades, breweries, cool restaurants, and even fancy office spaces. The mix of learning, networking, and just having a great time makes our events truly memorable.
We have videos of some of our members talking about the value they get from being a member of our community and attending the meetups at Meetup Mixer - YouTube
Looking Ahead
What’s your vision for your ServiceNow Meetup group in the next year or two?
Our vision is to double the size of our community and increase the frequency of our events beyond just once a quarter. We’d love to add more variety—introducing hobby-based gatherings like hiking, biking, or even pickleball, which are so quintessentially Vancouver. We also want to create more study groups for members preparing for certifications, giving them the support they need to grow their skills and confidence.
Are there any creative formats or ideas you’ve introduced to keep the group evolving?
One of the best decisions we made was alternating between learning days and social days, an idea we borrowed from the successful London Meetup. That balance keeps people engaged and excited.
Another highlight is our annual beach BBQ. It’s become such a beloved tradition that people travel from across Canada—and even the US—to attend. We’re also always keeping an eye out for new and interesting venues or experiences in Vancouver so our members can learn, connect, and enjoy the city together
““It’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building friendships and having a ton of fun.””
Closing Thoughts
Monette’s ServiceNow Meetup journey is proof that the most impactful communities are built by people who show up, lean in, and invite others along for the ride. Whether you're looking to find your ServiceNow people or dreaming of starting a group of your own, her advice is clear: stay consistent and continue being authentic in your efforts.
Do you have questions or want to connect with Monette, reach out to her via LinkedIn.
