toronto geek dinner

Geek Dinner Photo, courtesy Mitch Joel, Twist Image

There are savvier people than I (amazing, huh?! 🙂 ) who spend megabytes and hours defining and debating social media and web 2.0 while the rest of the world yawns and says “I need to make business contacts to make money to pay my mortgage and maybe go out to dinner.”

I’m professionally drawn to those select few in these web communities who both talk AND walk the walk of social media and online communities. These people help other professionals (like me) build my business financially with their insight and experience, they help me learn about fast changing trends within what I believe will prove to be a major shift in the way business is conducted locally, nationally and internationally, as well as provide introductions to people who can help me and (equally as important) who I can help as well.

But to benefit from what is certainly for me an imperfect learning experience (which may be a polysyllabic synonym for “life”) I know that I have to actively participate and do so with an open mind. These communities are filled with folks mostly younger and waaay smarter than me and we meet having vastly different life experiences…finding common ground is part of the fun. For the old schoolers out there, the process I’m speaking about is nothing more than a virtual networking system or event that, if one is fortunate, morphs into a real life networking event.

All this pre-ambling is a way of giving you insight into why I write a great deal in this blog about social media and applicable internet trends/tools and why I attended the Toronto Geek Dinner on Wednesday evening. I’ll start by answering your top three questions (see, I’m getting so much smarter that I know you’re questions before you’ve asked them!)

What is a Geek Dinner?These dinners area random get-together of professionals from the worlds of Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations, Blogging and Podcasting. The Geek Dinner is where their worlds collide…in a very professional way, of course.

How does one get invited to a Geek Dinner? Basically, someone takes the lead and puts it together then puts out the word. Mitch Joel, he of the Twist Image blog out of beautiful Montreal, posted a notice on his blog and within days it was sold out. So if you keep the lines of communications open with influence-ers like Mitch, you hear about good stuff.

What is the value of a Geek Dinner? It’s like any good networking event, especially if you come to the event not trying to sell yourself like maybe a used car salesman would. Everyone at the event shares common interests while also bringing a diversity accumulation of practical, useful knowledge from their work. My voice over, marketing, advertising, broadcasting, blogging and podcasting experience allowed me to serve as a resource in some cases. Its not pushy, it’s welcoming. People getting to know people.

And of course, as I’ve noted previously, you do not need to bend my arm to go to Toronto…I always feel jazzed going up there and even coming back. I love that city.

Who did I get to know at the Toronto Geek Dinner? Some great people!

I caught up with Bill Sweetman of Sweetmantra.com, an internet marketing blog. He and I first met at Podcamp Toronto.

Dining with me were Eli Singer of Cundari SFP, he runs a social media site; Eden Spodek sat next to me, she of Bargainista fame, a web site for people who love to shop (there’s a huge audience). I also met the self-proclaimed “Smartest Man in the World” (says so right on his business card); his name is Saul Colt and he was a very cool guy.

Next to our table was a bunch of people from webfeat, a very cool online marketing company with a very impression Fortune 500 client list; the people I spoke to the most from there were Stephen Giles and Ellie Rosen. Both very interesting folks and fun to have dinner with. The “podcastic” Donna Pappacosta was there and if you’re thinking of putting a podcast together and you need to know EVERYTHING you need to know, visit Trafcom News…Donna’s a great lady. I also finally got to meet Bill Nygren of Boom Sonic Branding. They do some amazing production there.

My thanks to Mitch and everybody who had a hand in putting together the Geek Dinner. It was terrific!

10 Responses to “toronto geek dinner”

  1. Someone who is passionate about community is someone who drives from the United States to Canada to attend such events.

    Someone like you.

    Thanks for attending Peter. The great thing about events like Geek Dinner Toronto is meeting diverse people. Having someone with the experience you have adds a rich layer to the conversation.

    So, while it’s nice of you to thank the community, trust me, the community should be thanking you.

    So, on behalf of the community: “thank you!”

    Not just for showing up, but for getting involved and helping to grow it.

  2. Hi Mitch:

    Great to hear from you. It is a great community with so much to offer.

    Your comments are very generous as well.

    I’m looking forward to the next event.

    Best always,
    – Peter

  3. Will you come out to Geek Dinner Baghdad? Sounds like you had a great time. Maybe next time you can poll the crowd and ask them if they are analog or digital? I think I know what the response might be!!!

  4. I’m far from famous but some U.S. link love may help. ; )

    On a more serious note, it was nice meeting you too. Like Mitch, I’m in awe of your passion and how you drove across the border to attend a Geek Dinner. Sounds like it lived up to your expectations.

  5. Hi Eden

    Just about everything in TO meets my expectations. I’m only sorry we didn’t get to talk more…acoustics were about the only challenge to the event.

    Hey Chris,

    This crowd was most assuredly digital!

    Best always

    – Peter

  6. Peter – it is good to see that Toronto and the local community made a positive impression on you!

  7. Hi Dave:

    Thanks for visiting.

    Toronto has always been a favorite place to visit! Great spot.

    Best always,
    – Peter

  8. Great Meeting you Peter and hope to bump into you again….maybe at the Galleria Mall 🙂

    Best

    saul
    http://www.saulcolt.blogspot.com

  9. Hey Saul:

    Great of you to drop by the blog!

    You can find me at the Mall on rare occassions 🙂 but NEVER in November and December. Tooooo crazy for me. God bless the internet for making mall shopping avoidable and my wife for enjoying the shopping experience! 🙂

    Please stop by often.

    Best always,
    – Peter

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