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Showing posts with label clubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clubs. Show all posts

Monday, October 19, 2009

SoCal Networking Event Organizations - Weekly Updates 10/19/09

Weekly updates to the main SoCal Networking Event Organizations list. Please let me know if know of other organizations to add, or if you have any feedback on events.

Name: GroundUP Business Group
Sites: http://www.meetup.com/GroundUP-Business-Group/, www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2294960, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=166092799697
Self-description: "This group is for individuals who are considering starting a business and have two questions in mind “Is it for me?” and “How I can find out?”. And, for small business owners who are looking for ways to improve their businesses.

GoundUP has 3 main goals:
1. Spread practical advice to individuals thinking about business startup.
2. Have business development guidance for entrepreneurs & small business owners.
3. Allow members to network and benefit from each other's expertise and encourage referrals between members. "
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/9/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: OPEN/Ventura Highway Mixer
Sites: finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/VenturaHighwayGroup
Self-description: "Open mixer for members, alumni recruiters and hiring managers. Feel free to bring a friend!"
Frequency: "every month on the second Thursday." Marriott Courtyard, 191 E. Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/9/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Allegiance - VOC Networking Luncheon
Sites: http://www.allegiance.com/
Self-description: "Limiting Participation. The concern we all had was to keep this from turning into “one of those events” where every consultant, insurance agent and attorney pounces on you with their business card. To this end, only Voice of the Customer practitioners at end-user companies are invited to join us – all due respects to everyone from other disciplines."
Frequency: Unknown
Cost: Free
Review: "invitation only, Peer-to-Peer Luncheon for VOC Executives." I've had someone write me about trying to get into this networking event who found her RSVP rejection letter "shocking".
Added 10/9/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: CloudCamp
Sites: http://www.cloudcamp.com/, groups.google.com/group/cloudcamp, www.linkedin.com/e/gis/122638/0D9CD04B30B4, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10128776220, twitter.com/cloudcamp, twitter #cloudcamp, friendfeed.com/cloudcamp
Self-description: "an unconference where early adapters of Cloud Computing technologies exchange ideas. With the rapid change occurring in the industry, we need a place we can meet to share our experiences, challenges and solutions. At CloudCamp, you are encouraged you to share your thoughts in several open discussions, as we strive for the advancement of Cloud Computing. End users, IT professionals and vendors are all encouraged to participate."
Frequency: Various times across the U.S. (and internationally)
Cost: Free?
Review: While not exactly a networking group, anytime you can get together with your peers you're networking, right? The LA event has passed - not sure if there will be returning, but perhaps elsewhere in SoCal.
Added 10/10/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Murrieta For You/NAFE Network
Sites: http://www.4younetwork.org/
Self-description: "For You Network™ is a business network for women business owners in Southern California. There are 19 women business networking groups, called Local Connections, in the San Diego, Riverside, Orange County and Los Angeles area for you to promote your business in a professional, but relaxed athmosphere. We are a women's business networking organization affiliated with the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)." "The meeting consists of Networking and a dynamic speaker."
Frequency/Location: Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 11:30 to 2:00, at Carrows on Madison Ave in Murrieta, CA
Cost: "Cost is $15.00 meeting Fee members $20.00 meeting Fee guests and then the individuals are responsible to order their own lunch and pay the restaurant direct." To RSVP contact Robbie Motter, Director at 888-244-4420 or email rmotter@aol.com.
Review: "Their mission is to help women grow both personally and professionally"
Added 10/13/09 by Todd Zebert as told by Robbie Motter (who runs this event)

Name: South Orange County For You/NAFE Network
Sites: http://www.4younetwork.org/
Self-description: "For You Network™ is a business network for women business owners in Southern California. There are 19 women business networking groups, called Local Connections, in the San Diego, Riverside, Orange County and Los Angeles area for you to promote your business in a professional, but relaxed athmosphere. We are a women's business networking organization affiliated with the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)." "The meeting consists of Networking and a dynamic speaker."
Frequency/Location: 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at Sarducci's Depot Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Cost: "Cost is $15.00 meeting fee members $20.00 guests, and then attendees order dinner from the menu and pay for their own dinner direct to restaurant." To RSVP contact Robbie Motter, Director at 888-244-4420 or email rmotter@aol.com.
Review: "Their mission is to help women grow both personally and professionally"
Added 10/13/09 by Todd Zebert as told by Robbie Motter (who runs this event)

Name: Tech Brew in San Luis Obispo
Sites: http://www.sbtechnology.com/slotechbrew/
Self-description: "Santa Barbara's best networking event for technology professionals finds a regular home in San Luis Obispo.
Keep up on what's new on the Central Coast. "
Frequency/Location: Second Monday of every month, 5:00pm - 7:30pm, Mother's Tavern, 725 Higuera St. Downtown SLO, CA
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 10/13/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: iLearning Lab
Sites: http://www.ilearninglab.com/
Self-description: "To provide access to exclusive Personal and Business Skill Development content previously available and affordable to only Fortune 500 Companies.
Free Education-Based Networking Events are hosted worldwide. These unique events showcase the exclusive content granted to us by some of the world's best known Speakers, Authors, and Trainers.
Our Competitive Advantage is that "on the same stage" we also showcase the talents of local, trusted advisors who know their community's needs best."
Frequency/Location: Every week or two. 16940 Von Karman Avenue - Second Floor, Irvine, CA 92606
Cost: Free
Review: Note that their website is being revised, but the calendar and RSVP system is working. These aren't just networking events, but 4Q09 events also include "Social Media Mania: How Not To Go Crazy From The Hype" and "Human Resources: Should a Small Business Owner Care?"
Added 10/19/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: SoBayJSWT - Elle Oliver
Sites: *by referral*
Self-description: "We use [a format] which has been so effective for individuals in job search to help them structure their search project, establish their priorities, stay focused on their goals and support them through the process. We ask that participants be prepared to share copies of their resumes (and marketing plans if they have one), use their positioning statement to introduce themselves and tell the group of the highlights of their search and where they can use support. Everyone is also asked to share their goals and commitments for the upcoming week.

Participants are asked to arrive on time, be prepared to share their own stories as well as leads and contacts so that all participants have time to contribute and be supported during the 2-hour meeting. Therefore, although the group is not limited, it is not conducted in a large networking format but rather as an ongoing support team. We are not focusing on increasing our numbers but rather on creating value for the participants. After a person attends a meeting, we invite them to our Yahoo! group where they can post their resumes, post and access leads and recruiter lists, etc. We use this means to invite each person to our meetings on an ongoing basis and obtain their RSVPs. "
Frequency/Location: Weekly. El Segundo, CA
Cost: Free
Review: I attended last Friday and Elle (previously a Director of Professional Services and Career Coach at Lee Hecht Harrison) is a great facilatator. This is not your standard big-bunch-of-people networking event - it's job search coaching, and sharing. Recommended.
Added 10/19/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Linked !n Long Beach
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2018826,
Self-description: "You are invited to join a new distinct group for LinkedIn professionals who are either located or have business connections in Long Beach, California and the surrounding cities. Long Beach, CA is centrally located between Los Angeles and Orange County, two of the largest economies in the world (Air Force One even landed here), and is home to thousands of businesses and individuals who are your potential contacts. The primary mission of this group is to help "Linked !n Long Beach" members network, learn, grow, connect and build a professional online business network."
Frequency/Location: First meeting: Kavikas Grill & Bar
95 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Cost: Free
Review: I'm going to try and make this.
Added 10/19/09 by Todd Zebert

Monday, October 12, 2009

SoCal Networking Event Organizations - Weekly Updates 10/12/09

Weekly updates to the main SoCal Networking Event Organizations list. Please let me know if know of other organizations to add, or if you have any feedback on events.

Name: Challenger Networking Group (CA)
Review: I've been told the Challenger group has a strong HR slant.
Updated 10/5/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Conejo Jewish Job Support
Sites: www.conejojewishjobsupport.com
Self-description: "The Conejo Jewish Job Support is a free community outreach program sponsored by Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks. We meet every Tuesday morning for coffee, bagels, learning, motivation, support and networking. Free of course. No, you don't have to be Jewish. Join others in the same boat as you."
Frequency: EVERY Tuesday from 8:30am to 10am at Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 East Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks."
Cost: "There's nothing to join, no dues to pay. Just come.", "You can RSVP if you like, or you can just show up and try it out. Business casual attire, please."
Review: None
Added 10/5/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Emerging Professionals and Entrepreneurs Council
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1801653, www.centurycitycc.org
Self-description: "EPEC works with the Los Angeles community, via the Century City Chamber of Commerce, to facilitate business relationships through quarterly networking events drawing hundreds of people aimed at the same goal."
Frequency: Quarterly
Cost: Frequently $20 - $30 depending on membership status, and advanced registration.
Review: When I asked a representative from this event what was meant by "Emerging", she replied "[emerging] does give an indication of youth, which is well represented on the council, but we believe anyone can be 'emerging' which brings us great diversity in our events" which I find to be a great outlook. I look forward to attending one of there events.
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: LA CTO Forum
Sites: lactoforum.org, lactoforum.ning.com, www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1806451
Self-description: "LA CTO Forum is a vibrant, private, invite-only network of software CTOs who exchange ideas, share experiences, and help each other when needed. We conduct monthly meetings, quarterly roundtables, and discuss different business and technology topics." and "The group is for software CTOs in the Los Angeles area. We have various titles in the group and different size companies involved, but members have business and technology responsibility in their organizations. All members are screened by Tony Karrer and Oded Noy. If you are an intelligent, high-level technologist, with lots of industry experience, this group is appropriate for you. "
Frequency: "second Friday of every month
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Dealmaker Media
Sites: www.dealmakermedia.com/la.html, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2358828320
Self-description: "Dealmaker Media operates at the intersection of business, technology, venture capital, and the future. We are a network of innovators from early-stage startups with an eye for disruption, to some of the most influential companies in the world. Our conferences, roundtables, blogs, and research are designed to inter-connect CEOs, technology and entertainment executives, investors, analysts and press. "
Frequency: Uknown
Cost: "$125 Members | $195 Non-Members"
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Digital Family Reunion
Sites: www.digitalfamilyreunion.net
Self-description: "The DFR is helping to set an engagement platform to advance the conversation between these like-minded, yet diverse communities by asking the question: 'If we knew how connected we all are, how would that change everything?'"
Frequency: Yearly?
Cost: Unknown
Review: None
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Startups Uncensored
Sites: www.jasonnazar.com, twitter.com/jasonnazar,
Self-description: "Startups Uncensored is a free monthly speaking series, townhall, and networking event for entrepreneurs and technology aficionados, hosted by Jason Nazar, CEO of Docstoc.com. These monthly meetups are centered around different topics meant to help startups build their businesses. The event, brought to you by DealMaker Media, contributes to the growing Los Angeles technology scene by bringing together various entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, social media experts, and professionals in the tech field. The format of the series typically includes a 45 minute presentation or panel followed by 45 minutes of questions and answers, and its co-hosted by notable CEOs and Investors."
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Mindshare Los Angeles
Sites: www.mindshare.la, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22901091188, mindshare-labs.com
Self-description: "If Noah's Ark had an open bar,
it would be more like Mindshare...

If World Leaders held pyjama parties,
it would be more like Mindshare...

If Jamba Juice made smoothies from books,
it would be more like Mindshare..."
(If I was to award a site with most interesting description, this would be it - Todd)
"Mindshare takes place on every third Thursday of the month and gathers energized people from diverse backgrounds for an evening of inspiration and interaction in Downtown LA. The event starts at 7pm and as the ~400 attendees arrive, they can meet new people while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and a stocked, open bar. The program begins at 8:30, and consists of a few 10 minute talks and performances from a variety of disciplines."
Frequency: "every third Thursday"
Cost: $30/$35/$40
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: (Los Angeles) Geek Dinner
Sites: g33kd1nner.com, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2396233804
Self-description: "The Los Angeles Geek Dinner was started by Heather Schlegel (aka heathervescent) in April 2006. It was an off-shoot of the first Los Angeles Barcamp.

Heather started the LA g33k d1nner because she was surprised to find there were quite a few passionate technologists in LA - but no one was talking to each other. The g33k d1nner tried to solve this problem by being a monthy gathering for anyone interested in technology.

Anyone is welcome to attend the g33k d1nner - as long as you are genuinely passionate about technology. The g33k d1nner is not a traditional networking event focused on dog and pony show and tells, rather it is the change to cultivate social and professional relationships."
Frequency: "3rd Tuesday of every month, except for November or December"
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: LA Cloud Computing
Sites: www.cloud.la
Self-description: "Exploring cloud computing technologies, implementation, use and business.
Ideas of Interest
* Cross cloud deployments
* Security in cloud deployments
* Datacenters
* Virtualization
* Test driven deployment
* GPU computing
* Decentralized datastores
* Scientific computing "
Frequency: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: LA Web Application Developers Meetup
Sites: web.meetup.com/34
Self-description: "Join us at Los Angeles's biggest meetup for web application developers (software engineers who build websites). Our purpose is to create a thriving developer community in Los Angeles, promote a free exchange of information and connect with each other at bi-monthly (or so) events.

Our events are presentation style. Guests from the community present tips, tricks, new methods, frameworks, tools or anything else interesting to web application development. Our events are hosted by local companies who also enjoy giving back to the community."
Frequency: Monthly or so
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Los Angeles PHP Developers Meetup Group
Sites: www.meetup.com/phpdev, www.laphp.org
Self-description: "This is an informal networking and discussion get together. It's a meetup mashup of the Los Angeles PHP / MySQL / Semantic Web meetup groups. A great group of PHP developers and enthusiasts discussing various issues on PHP and software development as well as latest trends in web-related technologies."
Frequency: "second Sunday of every month"
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 10/6/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Bloblive
Sites: www.bloblive.com, twitter.com/ideablob, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66578725659, www.youtube.com/user/IdeaBLOBdotcom, www.myspace.com/ideablob
Self-description: "Bloblive is the city’s open mic night for ideas. You know that great idea you have? We want to help you get it going! Come to the next bloblive, grab the mic and hit the crowd with your best elevator pitch. You’ll find advice and feedback from a roomful of people focused on trying to help your idea grow."
Frequency: Approximately Monthly
Cost: Unknown
Review: Also in Philadelphia
Added 10/7/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Scrum Club Los Angeles
Sites: losangeles.scrumclub.org
Self-description: "Scrum Club is a social club dedicated to boosting awareness of new technologies and the accompanying advantages of adoption. We take an interdisciplinary, humanities-oriented approach to technology. Our wider range of subject matter and sponsored events means a wider audience and a greater range of people. You never know who you will meet at one of our events!

Scrum Club seeks to shortcut the chicken and egg dilemma by organizing fun events and projects where professionals can come and spend a few hours to build their skills and network, then use those hours to count towards certification."
Frequency: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Review: While not specifically a networking group, would be appropriate for those in Development/Scrum.
Added 10/7/09 by Todd Zebert

Friday, September 25, 2009

SoCal Networking Event Organizations - Weekly Updates 9/25/09

Weekly updates to the main SoCal Networking Event Organizations list

Name: Los Angeles LinkedIn Networking Event / Lewis Howes
Sites: www.lewishowes.com/events, www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=138352
Self-description: "Come attend L.A.'s premiere networking event with some of the brightest professionals in the area! The last L.A. LinkedIn networking event turned out to be an amazing time! I received dozens of emails from people saying it was one of the best networking events they had attended in L.A.. I believe this is due to the amount of quality professionals who are currently using LinkedIn in the area, and I look forward to a better event this time."
Frequency: Couple times a year
Cost: $10 pre-register, $20 at the door
Review: I attended the one in July and it was well attended. Presentations, name tags, raffle, and people mosly in business casual or slighly upscale.  Similar events are held in other cities.
Added 9/16/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: American Women in Radio and Television
Sites: http://www.awrtsocal.org/
Self-description: "American Women in Radio and Television is a national, nonprofit organization that extends membership to qualified professionals in the electronic media and allied fields. AWRT's mission is to advance the impact of women in the electronic media and allied fields by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members and the industry."
Frequency: Varies
Cost: Varies
Review: None
Added 9/15/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Le Tip
Sites: California chapters: letip.com/find-chapters/category.html?id=33%3Acalifornia, California evets: letip.com/find-events.html?filter=CA%2C&filter_type=venue
Self-description: "LeTip International is the world's largest, privately owned, professional business leads organization. Since 1978, LeTip programs have helped over 50,000 members, throughout the United States and Canada, build business success through personal referrals. LeTip International's structure set the standard in the word-of-mouth referral industry. Members are known for their professionalism, dedication, and loyalty to one another, and to the LeTip Program. LeTip Chapters meet weekly to exchange qualified leads, build solid business relationships, develop strong presentation skills and become proficient networkers. Only one representative of any given profession is accepted into a chapter, and members are chosen for their occupational expertise."
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Membership fees of $350+, quarterly fees from $100+
Review: None
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Executive Networking & Technology Group ExecTec of LA
Sites: http://www.exectec.us/
Self-description: "This is a place for executives in the Entertainment, Media, Technology and related business fields to come together and network and share ideas. This group is for any person who is looking to expand their network of contacts or the executive who wants a fun way to stay current on the latest and greatest in technology and business issues. This is an in person networking group and each week there is a networking dinner where you will have the opportunity to meet some of the over 600 members and join in an interesting and stimulating discussion of the topic of the day."
Frequency: Weekly, mostly Tuesdays
Cost: "$21 in advance via PayPal or $25 at the event gets you a full dinner, drink and the best networking around."
Review: Each dinner has a different topic and "veryone participates in a round table discussion."
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Welcome, Los Angeles Professionals & Business Owners
Sites: www.meetup.com/Biznetwork
Self-description: "Tired of networking with boring, unimaginative people that can't remember your name and who are only interested in shoving their business card(s) at you? The founders of this group are young, business-minded entrepreneurs that are tired of traditional networking and decided to spice-up the way we meet people. Come join us and other driven, dynamic professionals to make business as well as social connections. Your network equals your net worth, don't you think it's time to expand both?"
Frequency: Monthly or so
Cost: Free?
Review: Some are mixers, others have topics & speakers
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: North Los Angeles Internet Marketers
Sites: www.meetup.com/North-LA-internet-marketers
Self-description: "We are a group of web marketers who get together monthly to discuss internet marketing issues, pay per click marketing, affiliate marketing, e-commerce, shopping cart solutions, outsourcing, content development, etc. We welcome seasoned veterans as well as internet newbies wanting to get started building an online business."
Frequency: Unknown
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: L.A. Marketing Co-op
Sites: www.meetup.com/lamarketingco-op, mymindshare.com/lamarketingco-op
Self-description: "The L.A. Marketing Co-op is a support group for people who need help with marketing.  Our goal is to provide practical and moral support to our members as they go about the difficult task of marketing either a business, a non-profit, or simply themselves."
Frequency: About monthly
Cost: Free?
Review:
Added 9/15/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Los Angeles Network of Business Women
Sites: www.meetup.com/The-Los-Angeles-Network-of-Business-Women
Self-description: "The business arena has been difficult for women from the beginning. Establishing a strong business presence has not been an easy chore. The Network of Business Women was established to create that presence not just in one city but across the nation! If you are a woman in business, considering starting a business or just want to network with other like minded women then we are the "Network" for you! Remember that we are not just another networking organization WE ARE A SISTERHOOD!"
Frequency: About Quarterly
Cost: $5/yr
Review: None
Added 9/15/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: So Cal Sushi
Sites: windmillnetworking.com/resources/what-is-so-cal-sushi, www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=969757, www.linkedin.com/in/nealschaffer, twitter.com/nealschaffer
Self-description: "So Cal Sushi is an open networking group for LinkedIn users who are living in, interested in, or travel to Southern California, including Los Angeles and Orange County. The purpose of the group is to connect professionals for in person networking through monthly casual networking lunches over sushi. The So Cal Sushi lunches attract a diverse crowd of professionals. Whether you are in sales, marketing, finance, IT, project management, human relations, staffing, etc., in transition, own your own business, or you just want to meet other like-minded professionals like yourself and ask for advice on any subject, please feel free to come and both share your knowledge as well as ask questions."
Frequency: Monthly?
Cost: Free
Review: Neal Schaffer's concept/book "Windmill Networking" put into practice. Great format, from Neal's introductory statement, the table of biz cards, name-tags, round-table introductions (video recorded), to lunch (prix fixe).
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert