#ATLmix Tweetup — A Success!

As defined by Urban Dictionary, Tweetup:

1. An organized or impromptu gathering of people that use Twitter. (A meet up of people that ‘tweet’ using Twitter.)

2. A gathering of nerds attempting social contact, likely for the first time. Usually disintegrates into everyone running to the nearest computer to type to one another.

Although I, for one, am more comfortable behind a computer, definition 2 couldn’t be further off base! I met the nicest — very social — people at #ATLmix, and I’ll introduce you to them in a minute. 

But I included the funny definition because it just so happens that my cousin dropped by Pizzeria Venti for dinner during the tweetup. He peered curiously out the door trying to see  the patio, but he could not fathom the point of Twitter, much less meeting a bunch of strangers who aren’t strangers, who tweet… you get the idea.

So seriously, if you attended #ATLMix, will you leave a comment explaining why you came or what you took from the event?  We’d like to add your perspective to the discussion!

And now, the #ATLmix recap. 

Stephanie Lloyd and Miriam Salpeter

Stephanie Lloyd (@stephaniealloyd) and Miriam Salpeter (@keppie_careers) hosted the Tweetup at Pizzeria Venti. Stephanie’s blog, Radiant Veracity, covers career and job search advice, personal branding, and so much more! Stephanie is also host of Dream Job Radio. Miriam Salpeter, founder of Keppie Careers, specializes in career coaching, résumé writing and interviewing tips. I attended a LinkedIn workshop by Miriam & Stephanie and it was so helpful!

Grayson Daughters and Eli Wendkos

Grayson Daughters (@spaceyg) of WaySouth Media, is passionate about crisis communication. I didn’t get to talk to Grayson long, but I enjoyed reading her blog today. Check out her blog, Mostly Media, if “crisis communication” is as intriguing to you as it is to me. In particular, look at this video on the use of hashtags during the Atlanta flood. and read “The Value of an Established Network in Times of Crisis.” Besides her work in new media, she also does video production. And probably a whole lot more. Come to the next #ATLmix to ask her! Eli Wendkos (@ewendkos) was busy hanging out with Grayson and Chris Brogan, so I didn’t really get a chance to talk with him. But I’ve found him on Twitter now, and his bio says “product manager for social media, mobile, video at the AJC.” Hopefully I’ll know more about him before the next #ATLmix

Walter Akana and Traci Walker

I’ve followed Walter Akana (@walterakana) on Twitter for a little while, and I was really nervous I wouldn’t recognize him based on his (very cool) Twitter picture. Go ahead, check it out! But I recognized him immediately! Such a nice guy. Through his company, Threshold Consulting, Walter works with people that want to explore a new career direction, uncover their personal brand for career and business success, and make plans for retirement. Perfect that he’s pictured with Traci Walker (@twalkr) who is exploring new career opportunities in sales. She has 6 years of sales, marketing, and h.r. experience, mostly in broadcast but other areas as well. If you know of any opportunities, check out her résumé at www.traciwalker.com.

Christina & Tim Stallings

I was so excited to meet Christina Stallings (@msstallings) and her husband, Tim. I’ve enjoyed chatting with Christina on Twitter for a while, and it is always fun to meet people that have tweeted about coming to the restaurant when I wasn’t here. Christina handles corporate relations and expositions at a not-for-profit association. If you’re interested in the events industry, you should ask her about the #eventprofs conversations on Twitter. 

Jerry Hokanson, Rachel Doyle, Victoria Dunmire, Rowan Hokanson

I met Victoria Dunmire (@victoriadunmire) and Rowan Hokanson (@RowanArtemis) at the #atlchix tweetup a few weeks ago. Victoria is in public relations and she posts the best links to articles for small business people. Rowan is a massage therapist, whose hobbies include an online comic called Gnome You Didn’t. Her husband, Jerry, is studying computer simulation and game design at Gwinnett Tech College. (I think she told me he was in the Navy; I do know they are fairly new to Atlanta.) I’d never met Rachel Doyle (@Rachel_366) on Twitter or in real life, but I so enjoyed chatting with her. I didn’t get the details but I do know she’s a recent college graduate and she’s in the PR field. 

Bert DuMars & Kelly Voelker

I only briefly met Bert DuMars (@bwdumars) and Kelly Voelker (@kellyvoelker), but I did get one of Bert’s awesome stainless steel Sharpie markers! I’m now following them on Twitter, so I hope to have a chance to meet them again at the next #ATLmix. They both work for Newell Rubbermaid. He is vice president of e-business and interactive marketing. She is social media manager for Graco Children’s Products, a Newell Rubbermaid brand. 

Francesco Scordato and Todd Schnick

Francesco Scordato (@fscordato) and I talked about Italian restaurants and Italian beer. He said, and I quote, “I’m very picky about Italian food…I never go to Italian restaurants. But these Bocce Balls… I will be back for them.” I checked out his Twitter bio: interactive marketing, SEO, SEM, eCommerce and e-learning strategist. And, when I met him, I was impressed that he spoke two languages. Then I saw his LinkedIn profile: Fluent in Italian and German; advanced in French and Spanish. My only languages are English and Southern drawl. <Sigh.> Todd Schnick (@toddschnick) is in marketing. Check out his company, Intrepid LLC. He also co-hosts a radio show, High Velocity Radio. Todd & Stephanie have a fun on-going blog-video conversation about marketing and social media. If you haven’t seen it yet, Round 8 is particularly fun, with a guest appearance from Chris Brogan.

Marna Friedman & Chris Brogan

Yes, Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan) was at #ATLmix. I don’t know if I’m more impressed that he rates a verified Twitter account or that he has written a New York Times bestseller! He’s pictured here with Marna Friedman (@marnafriedman), who has written The Small Business That Could for Women and Eventually Perfect, which is about event planning. She hosts #partychat conversations on Twitter Monday evenings, if you have any questions about planning events. 

Taryn Pisaneschi, Robyn Cobb, Jaime Lackey (that's me!)

I first met Taryn (@tarynp) and Robyn Cobb (@rockinrobync) at the #atlchix tweetup a couple of weeks ago.  Taryn is literally everywhere. She helps small business owners with integrated marketing, social media, online and offline networking, strategic partnerships, training, innovation, event conceptualization and execution. She is also founder of Women Intelligently Networking (WIN!). Robyn focuses on social media, business & marketing strategy, and product management. She’s a marketer for Cliqset, and I finally joined after she told me about it. I’m hoping to learn more about it this next week. It seems perfect for the extended hashtag conversations on Twitter. 

Jason Munson and Thomas (Tom) Rector

Jason Munson (@jasonmunson) just moved to Atlanta from D.C. He’s opening the Atlanta office for Siteworx, a web design and development company. I suggested he start his “Now that I’m in the South” list with 1) start drinking sweet tea and 2) watch “Gone With the Wind” and/or visit the Margaret Mitchell house (which I actually haven’t done!). What would you do if you’d just moved to Atlanta?

Tom  Rector (@InfiniTom) is president and CEO of Foodservice University. I love that he’s posing with our pizza! He was very complimentary about the restaurant and the pizza. I love to hear compliments from someone who has run restaurants. We talked about how the water makes such a difference in foods. I was skeptical when I first heard that so I know people think I’m crazy when I say we use water imported from Italy to make our pizza crust. 

Marisa Sharpe and Taryn Pisaneschi

I also met Marisa at #atlchix, and she is so nice! She’s recently started doing some work for TechDrawl. I don’t know where her husband, Mike Sharpe (djsharpemusic), was when I started taking pictures, but he’s not the only one I’m missing.

I also met Mike Haberman (@mikehaberman). He’s with Omega HR Solutions, and he is looking forward to bringing his wife (who is Sicilian) to Pizzeria Venti. (I loved hearing about his trip to Ellis Island!) I also met Susan Perlman (@susaneperlman) and I think I heard her say she’s just started working at the co-working space Ignition Alley. Her specialties are creative facilitation/brainstorming, program/project management, working with nonprofit startups, grant research and marketing. 

I met Doug Lehman (@douglehman), who is looking for a new opportunity in sales and marketing. He has a very cool Visual CV at www.douglehman.com. Anyone who needs to post a résumé online should look at it. And I met Beth Mulhern (@jimsdottir), who is looking for a position in customer service. (Beth is also a ZooAtlanta volunteer and I meant to ask her about that!)

I think this is everyone I actually met, but I know I’m missing several people that I didn’t get to meet. I look forward to seeing you at the next #ATLmix!

Don’t forget to leave a comment to help me explain the value of a tweetup to my cousin!