Entries Tagged 'Meetups' ↓

Casa Gallardo Tweetup by Tojosan, on Flickr

Couldn’t pass up happy hour tweetup at Casa Gallardo. It’s one of my favorite chain Mexican restaurants.

MilliGFunk through this one. Cheers Milli.

No, I’m not an addict, but if I was there’s always Social Networking Rehab.

If it looks like a party, it was.  Fun folks, great conversation and cold beer made this a wonderful Tweetup.  Jeffrey Strauss hosted this Twitter get together at the International Tap House in Chesterfield valley. It’s sort of the West County area of St. Louis Metro.

Yeah, that guy with the big grin is me. It was that much fun.

Jeffrey tossed the idea out just days before and it came to pass like clockwork. It was a good turn out with @VersaDave, @SandyShores, @MrShores, @StLConceirgeGuy, @SgtHotPants, @Rebecca_Rene, @donhead, @Nanna_J, and @Dizzy727.  Folks came ready to chat, kick back and share.

The great thing about this tweetup is that Jeffrey isn’t some ’social media expert’, in fact he’s more a Belgium beer expert; you should ask him. People still have the misguided idea that only the heavy hitters in social networking can put events together, or if not that, then a group has to sponsor. That’s rubbish.

There were get togethers long before there were formal groups or formal leaders. Leaders emerge because they do things like plan events. Anyone can step up and lead.

St. Louis has a burgeoning social networking and media scene. There are lots of great folks doing fun, interesting, and educational events. Big or small, well attended or barely noticed, they still count as events.

Tired of waiting for one of these events to come to your neighborhood? Your peeps aren’t attending those for some reason?

Plan your own. Today. Now.

You’ll be surprised that when you step out, people will come alongside.

(This post inspired by Jeff and those that came before.)

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National Novel Writing Month Write-In NaNoWriMo

I’m writing on NaNoWriMo.

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Slideshow is from the St. Louis NaNoWriMo Kick-off party on October 24th. Jennifer, @etoiline, organized, while a couple dozen of us showed up to hang out, get some good eats, and chat about our novels-to-be.

Signup was more than just jotting down our names. After recording our names, and forum IDs, Jennifer asked us to create “plot ninjas”. A plot ninja is basically a sentence or idea recorded on an index card. These will be used later to help folks through writer’s block. In exchange for filling out a plot ninja card, novelists received a gift bag.

Conversation wasn’t just about novels. We talked about jobs, current and past. People shared past NaNoWriMo experiences, including what helped and what didn’t. Personal histories were shared as well, such as trips to foreign countries, family stories, and music they love to write to.

A quick survey netted a range of novel themes, from horror, to chic lit, and several folks planning a sci-fi novel. Me? I’m leaning towards horror/thriller. Dean Koontz will be a heavy influence either way.

Next up is the Halloween Pre-Party leading into the first write-in, at midnight.

Can’t wait to get writing!
Cheers,
Todd
Find me on NaNoWriMo and friend me.

Hey, it was 4th of July weekend, it was a Friday night, and there was no parking. Still had a turn out of 19 folks that signed in and several more that didn’t.  Some of the non tweeting folks opted not to sign in along with some that were new.

The event, hosted by @Rex7 and @Prebynski, was billed as the Largest Tweetup in St. Louis.  They were shooting for the Guinness Book of World Records. Let’s just say this event probably didn’t make it.  Was it waste? I don’t think so.

When first asked by Punching Kitty I was a little shy about panning this event as a big plus for St. Louis. After a couple of days to process, my take is definitely improved. This event will definitely lead to social networking growth for the local scene.

Any tweetup that doesn’t end with bad vibes adds to the momentum and the interactions.

People are talking about it.  Good or bad, it’s conversation that wasn’t happening before.  Some folks are even taking sides for or against Rex and Brandon.

Newbies were given a chance to meet and great with some of the more seasoned folks in social networking, at least in St. Louis.  People doubled their connections with individuals they’d actually gotten to meet in person.  A couple of folks are going to start blogging and now have some new friends to ask for help.

Another venue has been introduced to a tweetup.  This is big.  Once social networking meetups become part of the everyday conversation, it spreads like wildfire.

Did I come away doting over Rex and Brandon? Heck no; they’re just guys.  They bet big and didn’t totally go broke. That’s a win in social networking circles.

Should we be calling them out as hosting a flop? Yeah, sure for a few minutes. They deserve a bit of rib jabbing this go round.  Maybe next time they’ll talk less and do more.  If we beat them down now though, we don’t add any value.

Rex took time out to share follow up comments with the St. Louis Social Media Report.

Rex and Brandon, guys, let’s agree that in between now and the next event that you two will make some serious inroads into the local social networking groups. Also, I challenge you guys to drop some followers and follows between now and the next time we meet. Go ahead. I promise it won’t hurt.

For the record, I’m tojosan on Twitter.

Social Media is the buzzword that has defined the last couple of years in media and internet trends. The St. Louis area has a growing contingent of social media professionals and casual users, and the Social Media Club’s St. Louis chapter brings these hobbyists and professionals together to network, learn and chat about the technologies, practices and fun that is to be had in this virtual field.

Following on the heels of last month’s relaunch event, which gathered almost 150 Social Media types, the next Social Media Club of St. Louis’ Third Thursday Tangents Meetup is scheduled for 5:30pm June 18 at The Pepper Lounge in Downtown St. Louis. This month’s event will offer networking and socializing in one room and a panel discussion about Small Business and Social Media in the other. Come for the 1/2 price drink and appetizer specials – stay for the socializing or the panel; whatever is your pleasure.

What: SMCSTL Third Thursday Tangents Meetup

When: Thursday, June 18 at 5:30pm

Where:The Pepper Lounge(2005 Locust St.)

The entrepreneurs on this month’s panel have experience effectively engaging in social media for a variety of reasons – from knowledge sharing to growing their customer base. We will also be taking questions via twitter that are appended with the tag #smcstl, and we will be streaming the discussion as well – more details and a link to that coming soon!

Bring a friend or two, or three, and join us for the SMCSTL’s Third Thursday Tangents Meetup and enjoy some good friends, networking, conversation and drinks. You don’t have to be a member to attend, and the event is free for everyone.

For more details on this month’s event, and to RSVP please go to smcstl1.eventbrite.com.

You can download the press release for publication here - social media club st. louis june press release.

Bring your hangover to lunch Tweetup.
It’s another summer Friday and another lunch time tweetup.

This time I’m expecting several folks will have been out late the night before for two excellent St. Louis events.
Girls Guide to the Galaxy Relaunch party – The Royale
Feraro’s Pizza Tweetup – Feraro’s Pizza

If I can, I’m going to try to make both of those events, even if just for a few minutes.

So come out, bring your hangover or not, but definitely bring someone new to Twitter or an old pal. Join us for lunch at one of longest running restaurants in St. Louis.

Time: June 12, 2009 from 11:30am to 12:45pm
Location: Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Street: 9748 Manchester Rd
City/Town: St. Louis
Website or Map: http://hacienda-stl.com/home.asp
Contact Info: 6362939127
Event Type: networking

RSVP here.

It’s madness, sheer and utter madness. What’s that you say? Social networking and media are finally getting some action and I’m complaining? Yep! It’s overloading my personal bandwidth. How about the rest of you St. Louis?

My big goal in the social networking and social media arena, for 2009, is to get St. Louis on the map. It’s not about being the biggest city, the one with the most casinos, or where rib aficionados rave about coming. It’s about St. Louis losing the ’small town’ tag and being seen as real scene for blogging, video blogging, and other social networking and media goodness.

It isn’t happening over night, but this upcoming month might have you believing otherwise. Let’s look at just a handful of items from the upcoming weeks.

June 5th – Bring a Tweep to Lunch – 11:30 AM
June 11th – Feraro’s Pizza Tweetup – 6 PM
June 11th – Girls Guide to the Galaxy Relaunch Party 5:30 PM
June 13th – St. Louis Bloggers of BlogHer meetup – TBD

And wait, there’s at least one more scheduled…
June 18th – Social Media Club St. Louis evening event – TBD

The list above doesn’t even cover a couple of other impromptu events that will occur and others that are less well publicized. WOW.

Ground work is already being laid for an Interactive Festival, another large SMC STL event, and a regular series of Friday lunch tweetups.

If St. Louis is not on the map by December 31st, then some isn’t paying attention.

What’s your event for June? Don’t have one? Find out more about one of the events above them and RSVP today.

The Go-Giver Tour is coming to St. Louis. Roxanne’s in Clayton is the place to be on April 22nd. It’s likely going to be the most productive social networking event you’ll attend this Spring.

Here’s the blurb:

“The Go-Giver” is a small book with a powerful message. In it, co-authors Bob Burg and John David Mann tell the story of one man and his quest to learn the ultimate lesson: that giving is the key to success in business… and in life. A business that gives more in value than it takes in payment follows the Go Giver model. Now four visionary young men have taken that message and are using it it to teach five entrepreneurs the transformative power of adding value to others’ lives by taking them on the road for an adventure packed with sage business advice, training and opportunity for growth. They’re also bringing the tour to us, hosting Tweetups across the country in a whirlwind of social media connection and fun! Join us April 22nd at Roxane’s in Clayton to take part in this exciting tour! Appetizer, lunch and drink specials, Tweeters and mind-blowing conversation and collaboration. What more could you want out of a networking event?

Ready to sign up? Check out the Go-Giver Tour St. Louis Event on Ning. You can still RSVP.

To learn more about the Tour visit http://www.gogivertour.com.