Comments on: May’s Social Media Workshop

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:17:09 +0000

Astro,

I hear your point and it’s well made, but this is easily worked out. It’s a question of location and “space”. In practical terms, I’ve been constrained by time and work on the issue of securing a great place to meet each month. Everyone has suggestions but I don’t hear them until the event is planned.

So to remedy this, I’d like everyone to visit our Wiki (http://socialmediaclub.pbwiki.com/Portland). There is where I’d like people to take the initiative and create a simple List Of Places We Could Meet. I’d like to see a brief description of the space, and a contact name or number, if possible. That way, I can easily call, or email the person in charge and make it happen.

Wieden Kennedy isn’t the place we’re always going to meet at. They’ve invited us, and we’ve thought some good conversation could come from the Two Camps (so to speak) sitting down for a chat.

Please join our email list, if you haven’t already, because I’d love for you to propose places in NE or SE that would have a great vibe and would be conducive to group discussions.

By: Todd Kenefsky

Todd Kenefsky — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:58:10 +0000

My perception of ’social media’ is that it is by nature open and inclusive. All are welcome to participate and contribute. In that respect, W K represents the values of ’social media’ to the extent that they are willing to participate. (The same can be said for all of us.).

That some might not want to attend because they want to want to exclude certain people/companies from participating is entirely their prerogative, but it’s just a new adaptation of the old-school, exclusionary, “We own the media”, type of mentality that the social media movement seeks to correct.

Astro, I would encourage you to evaluate W K by the same standard you would any other participant in the social media community- by the quality of their contribution. By that standard W K gets high marks. They sponsored the first Portland BarCamp and helped make it a great success. Beyond money and facilities, I see Renny at various local tech and media events, and I learn something from him every time. Unlike the Microsoft style of engagement which amounts to a check and big stack of product brochures, W K is out there engaging, contributing and participating- which is what social media is all about.

I think the vast majority of us are appreciative that Renny and W K have opened their super cool facility to us and are engaging with, and supporting the local technology and social media communities.

By: Chris Heuer

Chris Heuer — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:09:06 +0000

One of the main reasons for organizing the club is to help independents, agencies and large corporations ‘get it’. Rather than turning your nose up at W K for whatever bias you believe having a regular venue implies, I would encourage you to talk to the people you meet from there as humans first and employees of the organization second. Having a reliable venue is one of the hardest aspects of organizing these events - perhaps you know of some other equally well equipped venue you might be able to get donated from another agency or company?

If you are unable to show up because you don’t like the company that is graciously offering up there offices as a free venue for meeting, that is unfortunate, but I would encourage you to be open minded in this regards.

By: astro

astro — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:50:07 +0000

Is there an important reason that W&K continues to be the location for the Portland Social Media meetings? I tend to be averse to this because it implies bias, and because I think W&K does not represent the democratization of media that “social media” should and does represent. I’d be happier if these events went down, say, at the Red and Black. Unless a good case is made, I won’t be attending any of these meetings in the Pearl.