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.

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).