Chicago Tech Report

Chicago Bloggers Listen Up! Hundreds of Olympians in Millennium Park, with Oprah!

My new project with Chicago 2016 Channel means a fun scoop for you! Get those cameras, FLIPs and other writing utensils ready to go.

9/3
-Millennium Park
-Oprah and HUNDREDS of Olympians
-Open to the public

Details here

Online Marketing for Women Entrepreneurs From the Banner to the Blog...and then Some

UPDATE: USE DISCOUNT CODE omwespeaker and get $20 off.

Women start new businesses three times more than men, yet a good majority of them either don't have a web site. For those ladies that DO have an online presence, a good majority of them don't know much about online marketing.

That's where we come in. Little Black Dress Media, in conjunction with Ladies Who Launch, are putting on a half day session covering all things online marketing - and then some.

Join me, Laura Roeder, Leah Jones, Wendy Piersall, Jessica Ashley and Genevieve Thiers to get the low down on all things digital/web/Internet. Complete speaker bios here.

September 9
8 am - 1 pm
Knickerbocker Hotel
$70 (use code omwespeaker), includes materials, panel discussions, breakfast, snacks and meeting a slew of entrepreneurs

Register Here

See you then!!

Chicago TechAoke Performances : Part 1

A few of us gathered at Blue Frog last Friday and it was a fun time indeed. Part 1 includes performances by Andy Angelos, Laura Roeder and Gordon ( I don't know his last name..)

Ron May Gets a Scoop

At the recent Social Dev Camp Chicago post-party, Ron May stumbled upon a piece of tech news that was so unbelievable, even I couldn't believe it:).  Here is a snippet of video as Ron's 'Eureka' moment was captured:

A Full Crowd at Colonel Tribune's Gathering Preview into Chicago Tech-a-Oke

Fun times were had by all last night.  The Colonel and his friends from the Tribune organized a get together at Clark Street Ale House. CTR snapped a few pics of the crew:

Pictured:
Angeline Vuong, Stan Mazo, Pete Burgeson, James Janega, Marketer Blog, Yesenia Sotelo, Jan Pritzker

The fun isn't over yet, folks!  Plan some time in your busy summer schedules to meet the crew at Blue Frog Bar for Chicago Tech-A-oke on August 22.  Need some convincing? Watch this video features yours truly, Bobbi Digital and a few of your fellow buddies. Runs about 3 minutes...

Video features Mike Miley, Leah Jones, Matt Maloney 

Chicago Tribune's Social Media Strategy: Huffington Post Chicago Meets the Colonel

Kudos to the team at the Chicago Tribune for getting written up in the Huffington Post Chicago.  Their Social Media strategy is taking off!

See you the Colonel Tweetup Tonight!

Speaking of Huffington Post Chicago, it just launched today. Thoughts?

CIMA Boat Cruise: Tickets on Sale NOW

It's back.  The annual CIMA Boat Cruise tickets are on sale and they WILL SELL OUT.

August 28

Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Kanan Cruises (Navy Pier, 600 E Grand)
Member Price: $175
Non Member Price: $225
Special Price: $275 (join CIMA AND get a boat cruise ticket, the best deal)
Register here

6:00pm - 6:30pm Check-in
6:30pm - 9:30pm Cruise

Parking: Parking is available for Kanan Cruises, Inc. Customers on a first come, first served basis. Please use Navy Pier® East parking garages at doors 10 & 11. Parking prices range from $10 - $22. Buses, Trolleys and Limousines may drop-off using Navy Pier® Entrance # 2.

METRA: METRA commuter rail is a convenient travel alternative. On weekends, up to 3 children (ages 6 and under) travel free of charge when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (18 years and older). And, direct service to Navy Pier is provided by CTA buses from the Madison Street (formerly Northwestern) Station.

City Bus: The CTA has six bus lines with more than 200 buses that serve Navy Pier's front entrance daily. These include the #29 (State Street), the #65 (Grand Avenue), the #56 (Milwaukee Avenue) and the #66 (Chicago Avenue). During weekday rush hours, the #120 (Northwestern/Wacker Express) and #121 (Union/Wacker Express) serve Navy Pier and their respective METRA train terminals.

There are no refunds on any tickets purchased but not used.
Tickets are transferrable but not refundable.

After the cruise, mosey on down to the Crystal Gardens (700 E. Grand), relax with friends and enjoy another Chicago night. Get that ticket!

ad:tech Chicago Did You Go? Thoughts?

I was working the CIMA networking lounge for  most of last week's ad:tech Chicago event. I didn't have the chance to visit the smaller discussions, but did sit in on Clay Shirky's talk.  I think Shirky was a terrific speaker, but most of us didn't learn anything too new, aside from new business case examples.

I heard mixed reviews about the workshops, namely they were too '101' for the mature dot com set. Would you agree?

How was the after party?

Controversial TableXchange Comes to ChicagoBidding on Restaurant Reservations?

A NYC startup, TableXchange, just blew into Chicago and obviously didn't do their research about the Chicago way of doing things straight up. I suppose they didn't learn from Donald Trump's real estate woes. Remember the lessons we were taught about new markets, cultures, etc.? This way of thinking applies to all business, in my opinion. Whatever happened to talking to your potential customer and merchant base first?

The Windy City Wine Guy just sent me a recent article that ran in the Chicago Tribune this week. Let me get this straight. I want to eat at the latest and hottest restaurant in town. I go online and pay $20-$40 to buy someone else's reservation. This person may have up to four reservations at a time..which means they can sell four reservations at one time. In addition to this, I am NOT obligated to call the restaurant and tell them that I decided to CANCEL my reservation if I end up not SELLING it (per TableXchange's site, the person buying the reservation is only' 'asked' to cancel). Ahem.

Illinois IT Association Hosts Event New Chicago Start-Ups in Our Midst

Finally. A night in Chicago where the tornado sirens weren't going off or the humidity levels created their own misty dews on everyone's brow.

It was a perfect night to enjoy the Illinois I.T. Association's Outdoor reception, 'Down by the River'. The event was a mix of start ups, consultants, investors and anyone else who might want to learn more about what's going on in Illinois technology.

I ran into Jim from timeXchange (they just launched a killer partnership with a major social network) and Sachin from Dawdle. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a few new Chicago startups that have some unique ideas that just may change the way folks do business in their respective areas.  Two of the companies are still a wee bit hush hush, but I can let you know about the others.