i just got back from hanging out with some guys from integrum technologies, a local consulting firm specializing in ruby on rails development.
what?! a softie hanging out with rails people? well for those that know me, even though i bleed blue (seriously i do, i had my molecular dna changed to ensure it...we almost named our son Zune, but we settled on Zane instead), i'm a technologist at heart. you see, my problem is that i love technology (i'm imagining kip dynamite singing his song right about now) and i love to learn new things...staying all agile about technology and stuff...
anywhoo, jade, chris, matt, matt, josh, derek, erica and the rest of the gang at integrum opened their offices to an "open house" tonight and invited the tech community. so off i went. first, these are some super cool guys (and gal)...very intelligent, not zealot in their views (okay, at least not to me in my face :-)), and like to have fun. there was no presentation other than jade offering a thanks to those who came and to their stakeholders and family who have helped them grow their business.
i thought the idea of tech firms/isvs/partners opening their doors to host some of the community for a night of networking. i remember the early days of azipa when it was supposed to be like that...but turned into a recruiting fest, then evolved to some type of tech council that i personally feel is out of touch with the tech community. but i digress...anyhow, it was a great idea and i'd love to see more of this type of stuff. we're all in these communities together. sure at times we compete (and sometimes aggressively), but it's this type of networking that helps build a stronger overall community.
so i would suggest you consider this in your communities...i know there are a few that also "do lunch" once a week or so at the same place just to chat about business, tech, normal life stuff...another great idea. so, who's next in my neck of the woods...ahem...axosoft.
thanks integrum for hosting...and best wishes on continued success...i can't wait until a few weeks when i can sit down with you guys and chat about some stuff we are working on :-)