News

Conferences / Events / Meetups / Networking / News / Organizations / Tech / Tweetups — 4 Comments
28
Dec 09

What you can expect from iDetroit in 2010

Looking back, 2009 was definitely the start of something great.

This past year, interactive and tech-themed events held in Metro Detroit connected more than 1,000 people and helped raise thousands of dollars for local charities. Dozens of individuals, including many outside of this group, worked very hard to organize such events so that we could all socialize, network, collaborate and learn together.

Here is how we at iDetroit plan to carry this incredibly powerful momentum forward into 2010.

Bigger and better events
We are already hard at work putting together some awesome events for 2010. Members of our team are already in the early stages of planning for the very first Ignite Detroit, as well as the return of Startup Weekend Detroit.  You’ll also see internationally renowned social media and business thought leaders coming to Detroit for Module 2010 (Future Midwest) and Brand Camp University 2010.  While we can’t share all the details at this time, we promise that it’s totally worth the wait.

Great conversations and ideas
Our own Hubert Sawyers III and David Murray have spearheaded the creation of two fantastic social media-related groups that are experiencing explosive growth. Tweetea recently announced its expansion into new cities and the recruitment of regional ambassadors. Social Media Club – Detroit has garnered nearly 700 fans in just a few short months, making it one of the largest Social Media Club Facebook communities ever. Look for these two groups to host some of the most thought-provoking and insightful events in the Detroit area next year.  There will also be plenty of special guests.

Plenty of new faces
Since word got out about our tweetups, conferences and late nights rocking the mic, iDetroit has been contacted by other local professional and social groups that are interested in becoming part of our community.  With these new relationships in place, we hope to not only cross-promote events, but also find opportunities to integrate our groups.

Your thoughts
This year taught us a lot about the value of participation, friendship and community.  So, what comes next?  What do you hope to see happen within Detroit’s interactive community in 2010? If you share your ideas, we can work together to make it happen.

Events / News / Organizations — No Comments
6
Dec 09

Social Media Club Detroit Holiday Party

Social Media Club DetroitIn the spirit of the holiday season, the Detroit chapter of Social Media Club invites you to our holiday party!

This year we will be celebrating at Vintner’s Cellar of Royal Oak.  Enjoy wine and an evening with your fellow SMCD members, all while helping a great local charity: Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit.

Cover charge is only$10 and will include 5 samples of wine. A dollar of that cover charge will go to Gleaners. Vintners Cellar will also donate 10% of all wine bottle sales that evening to Gleaners.

Our awesome staff of volunteers will be providing the munchies.

Finally, we will be collecting nonperishable food items, so please bring something other than spinach and kidney beans.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

Please got the to the SMCD Facebook Page to RSVP.

Thanks so much and happy holidays!

Events / News / Tweetups — 1 Comment
4
Dec 09

#tweetea Needs You (Satellite Hosts)

Photo by Chris Owens

Photo by Chris Owens

The time has come for #tweetea – Michigan’s longest-running weekly tweetup – to spread its wings. #tweetea has gone through many different phases and many regulars of the event feel it is time to share its awesomeness across the region. That is where YOU come into the picture.

This is a great opportunity to join the conversation in real life. We have had many people converse with us through the #tweetea hashtag that have never been able to join us. Now here is an opportunity to host your own at your local tea/coffee shop and meet some of the people you tweet with on a regular basis. We have been beta-testing locations on the east side of Metropolitan Detroit, but there are plans to set up shop on southwest (Plymouth/Livonia) and northwest (Farmington/Novi) corners soon as well.

Each region will need to have its own host or ambassador, if you will. There is not a ton that hosts will need to do other than serve as the conduit for conversation. Regional ambassadors should look forward to collaborating on coming up with the weekly discussion topics as well as sharing “what works and what does not” in their area in considering the format for #tweetea, but that is not a requirement. The Royal Oak #tweetea at Goldfish Tea is the central hub, where the weekly discussion topics and memes-of-the-day will be disseminated. Thus, taking out the grunt work of keeping your local version fresh and engaging. If you are interested in being a regional ambassador for #tweetea in your neck of the woods, then please contact Hubert Sawyers III via e-mail (hsawyers [at] gmail.com) or Twitter (twitter.com/HubertGAM).

Events / News / Organizations — No Comments
2
Aug 09

Welcome to iDetroit

love detroit It’s an exciting time to be involved with social media and technology here in Detroit. We are now home to some of the most engaging and interactive conferences in the Midwest.  The regular social media meetups and tweetups are attracting large groups of like-minded individuals on a consistent basis.  Our numbers are growing and everyone is hungry for more.

However, with all of this activity, there hasn’t been a team in place dedicated to rallying the troops and spearheading the efforts behind uniting and growing our community.

To address this problem, a few of us decided that working together was far more constructive than operating independently.  By pooling our resources, experience and talent, we could take Detroit’s social media and tech community to the next level.

The result of this combination: iDetroit

Think of us as a community exercise.  A group with big hopes and ideas for Metro Detroit.

What you can expect from iDetroit:

  • Valuable events and conferences designed to connect Detroit’s tech and social media community.
  • A hub where you can learn about the region’s latest happenings.
  • The promotion of events organized outside of iDetroit.
  • Honest feedback and reviews of other local events.
  • Opportunities to get involved and help shape the future of Detroit’s social media and tech scene.

What we need from you:

  • Feedback.
  • Suggestions.
  • Comments.
  • Participation.

What you’ll start to see is many of the local events you regularly attend flying under the iDetroit name.  We want everyone to know that these gatherings are part of something bigger.

Our goal is to become the most active force within Detroit’s social media and tech community.  We can’t accomplish this without your help.

While we have big plans for iDetroit, we are just getting started.  We hope you’ll join us for the ride.