a social gathering or get-together, usually held to promote goodwill, networking, or camaraderie among participants (e.g., at a company or school).
来週、部署で懇親会があるので参加してください。
There's a departmental social gathering next week, so please attend.
新入生歓迎の懇親会で先輩と話す機会が多かった。
At the welcome social for new students, I had many chances to talk with upperclassmen.
懇親会では名刺交換をして交流を深めた。
At the get-together, we exchanged business cards and deepened connections.