Advercation = Advertising + Education

In May ‘07 I posted here about how Washington DC is waking up to interactive.

The scene here has been pretty intense lately and last week’s event was a highlight of recently happenings:

Facebook Developer Garage DC was brought to town by Jesse Thomas, Nick O’Neill and Robert Neel.

Sponsors included EdelmanPR, and freewebs. iStrategyLabs threw in a live stream session which can be found here:

DC Startup Weekend is the next big thing coming up and I’ll be providing the live stream, some interactive marketing and interactive strategy components.

Will Kern posted on his blog recently about how he feels a groundswell of activity in the DC interactive scene. I’ve felt this for sometime too, and I feel we’ve reach a tipping point. There are plans underway to create an overarching organization that can help facilitate the growth of the broader DC tech community by helping solidify event sponsorships, simplify meeting logistics and create cross pollination among affinity groups.

Some folks might feel we’re ‘trying to replicate silicon valley’ here in DC - that’s not the mission, nor do we wish we were in the valley. We love DC and are working hard to support all the talented technologists in the area, enabling them to achieve what they seek. We’re currently brainstorming a brand name that we all can be proud to support and one that would serve as an appropriate umbrella organization. The naming thread is in The DC Technology ning socnet and can be found here. Special thanks to Justin Thorp for putting up the ning community.

Look out for WidgetDevCamp coming to DC on 11/15.

In the interest of more closely tying the DC Tech community together, I’ve begun compiling a list of DC Tech Twitter-ers. If you’re a DC Tech Twitter-er, and not represented below, please leave a comment on this post your twitter link and i’ll add you. Additionally, please include your blog as a reference as well. Lastly, if you follow someone in DC who is a tech oriented Twitter-er, please throw their link into the comments as well. Oh and follow me!

From BarCampDC’s Twitter:

From RefreshDC’s Twitter (if not included above):

From Peter Corbett’s Twitter (my twitter):

DC Based (if not included above):

Non-DC but worthwhile:

It’s interesting to put down roots in a place like Washington DC and to watch it evolve.

One important change is the birth of what could be called Silicon Hill - a city teaming with digitally armed influencers.

This month saw a few events worth mentioning that I hope will continue to grow in strength as the days go by. Here is a summary:

1) World Wide Web Washington (aka WWWW or The Four Ws)

Notes: The WWWW focused on…you guessed it…The Web. We were sponsors of the show [Blattner Brunner / BBDigital]. Somewhere between 250 and 350 folks showed up. Annual event.

2) Mobile Mondays - DC Chapter

Notes: If you want to talk about mobile applications this is the meet up for you.  Every 3rd Monday.

3) Social Media Club - DC Chapter

Notes: Always a good meetup.  Put entrepreneurs, social media hounds, agency folks and an IP lawyer or two together and you’ll get an interesting dialog going I promise…

4) DC Open Coffee

Notes: First meetup was last week and had a great turnout. Passionate entrepreneurs, startup junkies, internet strategists, and coffee….sweet.

5) Tech Cocktail - DC Chapter

Notes: Very well attended kick off event. Looking forward to the next one.

I’m sure I’ve missed some events. I’m trying to go to eveything all the time and that can be tough.

IF I MISSED SOMETHING PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT.

Friends –

I would like to invite you to join me at an unique event in support of Senator Barack Obama’s historical bid to become the next President of the United States.  Whether you are passionate about politics, prefer politics-lite a la Jon Stewart, or are simply sick and tired of politics as usual, I invite you to get involved in something that is truly different.  

Instead of hearing from me why you should support Barak Obama, I invite you to hear it from Senator Obama himself. 

Event Details:

Generation O

DC Kick-Off Event 

featuring

Senator Barack Obama

When: Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 PM

Where: H2O Restaurant & Lounge, 800 Water Street SW, Washington, DC

Purchase tickets by contributing online today and you will be placed on the door list.  ID is required for admission.  You will receive an e-mail confirming that your contribution has been processed.

Please follow this link to purchase tickets to the event or to contribute

This event is filling up quickly so please RSVP now.  If you cannot attend please consider making a contribution in lieu of attendance

Peter

Social Mapping is not new. But Google MyMaps is.

I just created one for DC and sent it to some friends. I wonder what kind of craziness will pop-up: DC is a Hot Mess MyMap

I can hear the nails driving into the coffin of Platial and other social map apps as we speak…