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

Networking & Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts

This is a sister list to SoCal Networking Event Organizations and focuses on Networking and Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts. Please let me know if know of others to add, or if you have any feedback.

Check your Alma Mater's website - I know USC has a number of job search webinars and teleconferences they are offering on a monthly basis. And if you find one that isn't at your school, check if they have an open policy, or if it isn't obvious, ask them - the worst they can say is no.

Name: Omnikron - Competing for Your Future - Robin Borough
Sites: www.your-career-now.com, omnikron.typepad.com/careers/links.html, twitter.com/robinborough

Self-description: "Career management has gotten so complex - The new job landscape can seem disheartening.

Don't worry, we've got answers - Solutions that Can Turn Things Around Quickly!

Session 1: Build Your Audience & Prospecting Plan
Session 2: Winning Resume(s) & Compelling Sound-bytes
Session 3: Interview Finesse – Real Students

FREE TOOLS: Career Map, Career Plan, Career Blueprint

Things You'll Master by Attending this Career Management Series:
• Using the Internet for Success – Turning the Abyss into Your Best Research Friend
• Know the RIGHT way to create a great resume, every time
• Brilliant Job Search Strategies that outpace your competition
• Optimize Social Networks
• Find Hot Job Skills and Hot Job Markets
• Master Interview Brilliance"
Frequency: Should be repeating monthly or so.
Cost: Free
Review: This was an excellent 3-part webinar, recommended. Robin and her team covered a lot of ground, had great visual material, and provided free tools. They also had Q&A during the presentation, and if they didn't get to a question, they answered it via email afterwards.
Updated 1/28/10 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Link System - Free Fridays Networking Tips
Sites: thelinksystem.com/2009/10/10/free-fridays-networking-tips
Self-description: "THE LINK SYSTEM® is a four step curriculum that teaches how to pre-qualify and leverage a new contact into a lucrative business alliance. We call those relationships “Links”….“Links to Success”. A well-cultivated Link can open doors to prospects and opportunities far beyond that of a single client. From picking the event, qualifying the Link Prospect, to structuring the Link Relationship, The Link System® guides the student through the relationship-building process."
Frequency/Location: "You never have to pre register…just call this number every Friday morning" 8:30PT / Dial-in:(712) 432-1630 Access Code: 420322#
Cost: Free
Review: I attended at the beginning of Nov and it seems to have limited attendence (about 2 or 3) which isn't really a problem for a teleconference. Mindy spoke about general networking tips ("Don't bring resumes to business networkig events" which I agree with completely), venues for networking, and about her forthcoming book. There was plenty of time for questions.
Updated 11/23/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Job Search Guy - Free Resume Writing Teleseminars
Sites: http://www.jobsearchguy.com/store/programs/teleseminars/resume-writing/, twitter.com/Joeturner2
Self-description: "Workshop Highlights:

* Learn the three major obstacles your resume must overcome and how to deal with each one…
* Discover the most important question most resumes don’t answer and how you should address this in yours…
* Most successful corporations and products have a brand. Find out why you need one too, and how it will help move your resume to the top of the “to call” list…
* Discover how to avoid screenouts, those little hidden messages you’re putting on your resume that shout REJECTION!"
Frequency/Location: Monthly on some Thursday - check site / 1:30 PM Pacific time, 4:30 PM Eastern.
Cost: Free
Review: These are pretty good. I've listened to two of them. He's heavy on "branding". Expect a sales pitch and in follow-up emails.
Added 10/28/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Job Search Guy - “10 Tips for Job Seekers over 50″
Sites: http://www.jobsearchguy.com/store/programs/teleseminars/job-seekers-over-50/, twitter.com/Joeturner2
Self-description: "As the Job Search Guy™, I’ll share 10 specific tips that can help older* workers score a job faster in this tight economy.

* Any worker over the age of 50. That includes me.

Here’s Why You Need This Free Teleseminar:

*Over this past year, the economy has collapsed to create the greatest recession we’ve had since the thirties.
* Technology has exploded in this industry making most everything you know about job search either outdated or obsolete.
* As if that isn’t enough, almost every hiring manager you encounter will be younger that you are – sometimes MUCH younger. Age bias is real and you need to learn how you can counteract it.
* How will you win a job in spite of these challenges?"
Frequency/Location: Monthly on some Tuesday - check site / 1:00 PM Pacific (4:00 PM Eastern)
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/28/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Job Search Guy - Radio Shows and Podcasts
Sites: http://www.jobsearchguy.com/radio/
Self-description:, http://www.jobsearchguy.com/podcasts/, twitter.com/Joeturner2
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/28/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: "Ask the Career Coach" - PeopleThink - Karen Colligan
Sites: http://www.peoplethink.biz/
Self-description: "Join Karen Colligan, as she personally answers your questions about your career, resume, interviewing, job search strategies and more."
Frequency/Location: Weekly (dates shown through Nov 09)
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/21/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Be Your Own Headhunter / Paul DeBettignies
Sites: mnheadhunter.com/, linkedin.com/groups?gid=1812693
Self-description: "For those not familiar with me and are wondering if a session(s) would be a good use of your time I am an IT Recruiter with 11 years if experience and have been speaking to groups of all ages and skill sets in groups of 20-200 and now online for 7 years."
Frequency: Usually weekly
Cost: Free
Review: I've taken his three 1hr+ seminars "Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter", "LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter", and "Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search", and they are great.  He's personable and takes questions at the end.
Added 9/16/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Social Media Webinar Hosted by Sean Malarkey & Lewis Howes
Sites: lewishowes.com/, linkedin.com/groups?gid=138352, twitter.com/Lewishowes, twitter.com/SEANMALARKEY
Self-description: "Learn MORE of our top secrets with Twitter & LinkedIn. WE will be pulling back the curtains on our top strategies and methods on how to best use these Twitter & LinkedIn for Success. Straight content - no hype or fluff! What you'll learn on the webinar:
* Why You Should be Using Social Media
* What is Social Media and why is it so hot?
* What is Twitter and why you should be using it
* What is LinkedIn and why you should be using it.
* Exactly How you should be Using Twitter & LinkedIn
* How to Build Followers & Connections fast
* How to Broadcast Video and Pictures on Twitter & LinkedIn
* How to build value & trust with your followers on Twitter & LinkedIn
* How to Integrate Twitter & LinkedIn to efforts you are already doing.
* How to use Twitter & LinkedIn conjunction with other social networks
* How to integrate Twitter & LinkedIn with your website and blog "
Frequency: Monthly, varies
Cost: Free
Review: I've attended a couple of these and there's always great info and inspiration, granted some is overly enthusiastic and there's a sales pitch at the end.
Added 9/16/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Get To The RIGHT Decision Makers / answerQUEST
Sites: answerquest.net  , answerquest.webex.com/mw0306l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=answerquest
Self-description: "Rebecca Bamman, the VP of Career Management at answerQUEST, and formally the #1 Ranked Recruiter in her industry for the last three years will be hosting this exciting webinar. Rebecca has also been ranked in the "Top 10 Recruiters in the Southeast" for the past 4 years and has surpassed $1M in career placement fees. She is a certified and successful Career Coach who has helped 1000's of individuals think like a recruiter, develop a strategic job search plan and land positions they LOVE!"
Frequency: Varies
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 9/15/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Connections Show by Stan Relihan (Podcast)
Sites: connections.thepodcastnetwork.com
Self-description: "Stan Relihan is an intelligent and passionate LinkedIn user who tells it like it is. Being both a recruiter and one of the most connected users in the World (definitely #1 in his native Australia), he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table with his podcast series. Maybe it’s the Australian accent, but he gives us all a fresh persepctive on LinkedIn and networking in general through his series of 30+ 15-minute long podcasts, which are still being updated regularly. Each podcast is actually an interview with behind-the-scenes top networkers, authors, business people, et. al., and the conversation is usually (but not always) LinkedIn-centric. A great listen during your commute."
Frequency: Recurring
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Layoff Bounce Back - Sharon Rich
Sites: layoffbounceback.com, leadershipincorporated.wordpress.com, twitter.com/sharonrich
Self-description: "unemployed? join Sharon Rich, ACC, CPBA, the Transition Specialist, for a FREE 90-Minute Teleseminar - bouncing back after being laid off.
How do you bounce back quickly after getting fired? The difference between those who find work and rebuild their lives quickly after being downsized— and those who don't— comes down to 5 things:
1) Know your strengths and your weaknesses
Learning how to make the most of what you've got going for you.
2) Define and expand your direction. Know where you're heading. What are you looking for? What are you willing to do?
3) Get organized. Plan your job search—and follow it.
4) Get support. You don't have to do this alone. Find resources and use them!
5) Get into action. Now."
Frequency: "the first monday of every month, 9am sharp (PST) as long as the massive layoffs continue"
Cost: Free "(REGISTER BELOW TO RECEIVE DIAL-IN INFO)"
Review: I attended one of these in early September and I found it to be helpful in developing a positive "can-do" attitude and also with "realizing the possibilities." Unlike many other very specific action-based seminars, this one is mostly about attitude.
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: SixFigureStart - Ask SixFigureStart Career Coaching
Sites: sixfigurestart.wordpress.com
Self-description: "Ask your questions about job search or career and hear candid feedback from former Fortune 500 recruiters

Here are some of the questions we’ve answered in previous workshops:

* I am losing jobs after getting to the final round interviews. What could be wrong?
* I am not comfortable with networking. How do I get started?
* I don’t want to show my hand right away. How do I respond when a job posting asks for salary?
* I am still working so conducting my job search part-time. How do I best manage my time?
* I am miserable in my new job after less than six months. How can I leave without damaging future prospects?
* I hear a lot about using online networks. How do I best use LinkedIn to leverage my job search?"
Frequency/Location: "Every first Friday of the month at 1p ET"
Cost: Free
Review: They also offer reasonably priced ($27) Virtual Workshops on a variety of topics, multiple times a month.
Added 10/10/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Reach Personal Branding Interview Series
Sites: reachpersonalbranding.com/resources/interview/
Self-description: "Personal branding is a revolution in the way you manage your career or business. Your personal brand is what is authentic to you, differentiating from your peers and relevant and compelling to those who are making decisions about you. In a phrase, it’s your unique promise of value.

Personal Branding is…
…the process of unearthing your unique promise of value and demonstrating that value in everything you do. It’s about consistently being your best self so you achieve your goals while adding tremendous value to your team, organization and company.

Personal Branding is not…
…about creating a false image for the outside world or being self-centered or self indulgent. It’s about being your authentic self and delivering value to those around you.

The Reach 1-2-3 Success!™ personal branding process was developed by William Arruda and has been proven with thousands of executives and entrepreneurs around the world. Comprised of three steps, Extract, Express and Exude, it’s a structured methodology for building, communicating and nurturing your personal brand."
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free. They have 150 lines per call, and most/all are available as recordings afterward.
Review: I've listened to a number of these interviews and usually they are quite good. Some have downloadable handouts. Also check out their Online ID Calculator "Are you Digitally Disguised? Digitally Distinct?"
Added 10/13/09 by Todd Zebert

SoCal Educational Networking & Job Search Organizations

This is a sister list to SoCal Networking Event Organizations and focuses on the Networking events and resources of SoCal Educational Institutions (primarily Colleges & Universities). Please let me know if know of other organizations to add, or if you have any feedback.

As I receive information about others, I'll post them, but here's some general tips to help you get started:

• If you don't already know the website of your college, you should be able to Google it, or if that fails, try the Wikipedia article on California Colleges and Universities.
• Look for the Alumni link for the institution, AND the "school" (Medicine, Business, etc.) may have it's own Alumni association/department.
• You may have to sign-up to join the Alumni Association.
• Get on the mailing list(s).
• Check if they have an online events calendar for networking or other events.
• Certain large schools may have separate websites for large regional Alumni associations.
• Determine if they have a Facebook Group or Fan Page (also try directly in Facebook using the Search box in the upper right).  It may have additional information and events.  You can also "network" using the discussion on those pages.
• Determine if they have a LinkedIn Group (also try directly in LinkedIn using the Search box in the upper right, drop-down to select "Search Groups"). It may have additional information and events. You can also "network" using the discussion in that group.
• Check if they offer job services such as: job fairs, career counseling, resume review, etc.
• Check if they have webinars, teleconferences, or podcasts on career related subjects.
• Post your resume and search for jobs within their commonly exclusive systems.
• Consider Volunteer opportunities - give back AND network. Win win.
• Even though you away from your school, if you live in greater Los Angeles or any other large metropolitan area, your school may have an alumni group here. Check your school's alumni site for those "remote" alumni groups. Or, start one!

Have you checked out Classmates? (Re-)Connect with your K-12 and College classmates. A word of warning though, others and myself find they have bad customer service (email "spam", customer service, etc.)

The University of Southern California's Alumni Association (my Alma Mater)
The USC Alumni Association is on Facebook, LinkedIn and offers various types of events, Career Assistance, podcasts with career and industry information.

To unlock all the services, register with Fight On!Line.

There are eight local clubs in SoCal (also throughout the US and internationally). You can sign up for updates from each club, and many have Facebook or web sites. Most of them run recurring mixers.

Some of the school have their own Alumni group, like Marshall School of Business Alumni, also on LinkedIn and Facebook Group and a Facebook Fan Page, which has it's own events calendar and various capters, including Los Angeles,  Orange County, and San Diego. There's also the Marshall Alumni System with "Alumni Directory, Discussion Forum, Job Board, and MarshallMail Lifelong Email Forwarding"

The SoCal Chapters have Networking Luncheons including 9 in LA County,  5 in Orange County, and 3 in San Diego County. Some have additional evening or breakfast networking events.  I've been to a couple of these luncheons and they are great opportunities for those both employeed and looking for employment.

Updates 10/26: This week I attended my 3rd USC Marshall Alumni luncheon and they've all been filled with great conversation among accomplished professionals and business owners. Typically six to a dozen attendees.

I also attended my second USC Marshall Alumni LA Business Networking Mixer. These are monthly, have two or three dozen attendees, have a wider range of tenured professionals - from recent grads and up, and do have a few more job seekers than the Luncheons.

Why aren't making use of these events? Not a Trojan Alum? Ask your colleagues - most of these events are open to guests.

Or engage with your school's Alumni association.

Updates 11/2: Do you know your school may have ethnic or special interest Alumni Associations? Utilize these groups for networking, and resources.

For example the Alumnae (women) organizations, the Mexican American Alumni Association (MAAA), and the Lambda LGBT Alumni Association.

Updates 11/23:Get social - network everywhere. Find an event - something you're interested in - suddenly you and the other attendee's have something in common, and a place to start a conversation.
USC's Arts and Events Calendar

The University of California - Los Angeles Alumni Association
The UCLA Alumni Association is on LinkedIn and a Facebook Group, and offers a Career Network, Alumni Directory, Newsletter, Career Counseling and Workshops, Job Postings, and more.

There are a number of Clubs/Networks in SoCal which seem to offer networking as well as social and sports events.

UCLA Anderson School of Management Alumni Network is also on LinkedIn and has a Facebook Fan Page.  The Alumni Network has it's own calendar, directory, career services, regional networks, and more.

Updates 11/2: Do you know your school may have ethnic or special interest Alumni Associations? Utilize these groups for networking, and resources.

For example the American Indian Alumni Association, the Black Alumni Association, and the Pilipino Alumni Association.

Updates 11/23:Get social - network everywhere. Find an event - something you're interested in - suddenly you and the other attendee's have something in common, and a place to start a conversation.
UCLA's "Happenings" Events Calendar

Update 12/16/09:Did you the notice the (unofficial) Bruin Professionals (BP) group in the Event Org list?

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)- Alumni Association

Updates 11/23:Get social - network everywhere. Find an event - something you're interested in - suddenly you and the other attendee's have something in common, and a place to start a conversation.
Caltech Today Calendar

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

SoCal Networking Event Organizations - Weekly Updates 10/5/09

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: XING Community Los Angeles
Sites: https://www.xing.com/net/la/, www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=33803 (main), https://www.xing.com/
Self-description: "This forum is dedicated to all Los Angeles inhabitants, visitors of the area and business minded people from all around the world, who would like to explore business opportunities with L.A. based companies. The forum addresses both, business and social sides of Los Angeles to exchange views and experiences around topics from living to working in every day of our life in L.A. It is targeted for people from ANY industry and branch to exchange business and social ideas about living, visiting or doing business within Los Angeles."
Frequency: Multiple times a month, in Los Feliz, Carlsbad, Burbank, Irvine
Cost: Free
Review: You'll need a free membership to Xing to see the details on the community page
Added 10/2/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Challenger Networking Group (CA)
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2037237
Self-description: "This networking group sponsored by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. is designed for executives in all disciplines and will be hosted by Pete Tzavalas and facilitated by Dick Kaumeyer. It will meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month. A wide range of speakers will be available talking on current topics for those interested in enriching their careers, forming new contacts, those in transition, etc. "
Frequency: First and third Tuesdays of the month, Zen Buffet at 21610 Victory Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA. 91367
Cost: $11(payable to restaurant)
Review: A variety of speakers. "Parking: Free - Dress: Casual. No need to RSVP"
Added 10/2/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Ventura Highway Networking Group
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=53340, finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/VenturaHighwayGroup, geocities.com/venturahighwaygroup
Self-description: "Ventura Highway Networking Group is career networking at its finest. Affiliated and linked with other general and specific groups in Southern California Ventura Highway offers excellent opportunities for those seeking contacts to further their professional goals. The group offers an online community with a physical counterpart of meetings and networking with people in Southern California. It is designed for sharing leads, contacts, industry information and career events."
Frequency: First and third Thursday evenings of the month, Enrique's Mexican Restaurant‎
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/4/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Pasadena, CA Job Club - Professional Network
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1775486
Self-description: "80% of jobs (or more) are found through networking, so as a group of professionals from many different industries, we started our own local networking group in 2008. Our group members have gone on to the next step in their careers.

Agenda:
30-second "elevator speeches".
How we have grown our network.
Companies researched and applications sent.
Goals set and accomplished.
Sharing where we are in our job search and where we are going.
Whatever we want to cover the next week is discussed and planned.

This is YOUR networking group, so we cover the topics YOU need! "
Frequency: Every Friday 10 AM to Noon, La Pintoresca branch, Pasadena Public Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103. "Friday Business Casual. Okay to bring morning caffeine."
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/5/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Pasadena Professionals
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1326117
Self-description: "This group is for local and area residents of Pasadena, CA who are LinkedIn and would like to expand their professional network."
Frequency: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Review: None
Added 10/5/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Women At Work - Pasadena Career Center
Sites: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=150357, www.womenatwork.org, twitter.com/WAWpasadena, www.facebook.com/pages/Women-At-Work-Pasadena/74029782074
Self-description: "Women at Work is a career and job resource center serving a broad spectrum of women in the greater Los Angeles area, helping each individual to recognize and attain her full employment and earnings potential by providing job and career resources in a supportive environment."
Frequency: "Job Seekers Assistance Group for all job seekers-Wednesdays 12noon - 1pm Free of charge." 3871 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
Cost: Free*
Review: *They offer a variety of for-fee services from office equipment usage to career and resume counseling. The Networking group is free.
Added 10/5/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: MixXedin Professional Network
Sites: added www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2258905
Review: Tiffany Bradshaw is the affable host of these events, who takes a individual interest in those at her events. When you arrive, she leads each new attendee to a few others and introduces them, and continues to connect people throughout the event. As a whole the attendees are diverse in their fields and some of the friendliest I have encountered.
Updated 10/4/09 by Todd Zebert

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