Tech Cocktail 10 Brings Out the New and the OldThe Morphing of Chicago Tech

10.  Eric Olson and Frank Gruber's little idea to bring the tech community together for drinks in a Lincoln Park Chicago bar has expanding to multi-city networking events - leading up to last night's 10th Tech Cocktail fest.  As the Founder of Chicago Tech Report, it's my job to bring objective commentary, opinions and thoughts when it comes to the tech/digital marketing community in Chicago.  You may expect this post to talk about the massive networking that went on last night (tons). You may expect me to wonder exactly what Microsoft was doing at their demo table (they always draw a big following...and the Google Exec I chatted with last night is glad to see Microsoft playing a role in Chicago).  You may expect me to talk about the open bar the attendees experienced (some folks actually complained about certain libations not being available). You may wonder what Ron May was doing this time (he did manage to yell at me from his chair while I was chatting with the ITA's Fred Hoch). 

Instead, I'm going shed some light for those people that haven't seen the growth of this space like I, along with other folks,  have. 

I missed the beginning of Tech Cocktail - the Town Hall.  Apparently, there were a few people that opened the forum with disapproval.  They wanted to see more and didn't think Tech Cocktail or the Chicago tech community is doing enough.  Fair questions. I was happy to hear the chat then turned into a healthy discussion of how to improve the community, knowledge sharing, etc.  

When I go to any tech, start-up, digital media event in Chicago, I see history. I run into the talented coders and minds that built Orbitz. I bump into those marketing geniuses that helped shaped the sales teams of companies like Google, ESPN, Yahoo and Microsoft (yes, they do indeed have Chicago offices).  I meet up with the former founders of Apartments.com. Share a laugh with the members of pre Colonel Anything at Tribune Interactive .  Now and then, Ron May will come over and give us grief, but we also remember a time when it was Ron's reporting that gave us all the heads-up on who was getting laid off during the 90s bust (yours truly included - circa 2001). 

Then I see something else. I see the staffers at these big firms break away and build their own shops and/or merge forces to create a new thing.  I see the tools they built morphing into 'new' buzzwords that recent graduates are using and developing into something all their own. I see the uber awesome Harper (self titled) of Threadless splashed on national magazines. I see Matt and Mike of GrubHub fame building up their little idea - which was shaped at night as they worked full time at Apartments.com.  I run into Kevin from Chicago's Google office (I finally found that old footage I took and will be editing it this weekend) and talk about how crazy it is to see so many people in one room.

Next, I see the newest folks to come to the scene. Chris of Perkspot launched a side business, Coupon Tweet, that is doing well. Theresa Carter of The Local Tourist had a demo table in one corner, while Total Attorneys (they were in Crain's this week) were holding court on the other side of the room. Daliah Saper of Saper Law was there, coming off of a recent Open Source Symposium her firm hosted.  Sachin of Dawdle continues to pound the pavement and spread the gaming love to anyone that has will listen.  Social media and digital media consultants were everywhere and business cards continued to be exchanged quicker than you can say 'how do you do'.

What's my point? The point is that many of you may not realize what's happened behind the scenes to get us to where we are today. Surely, MUCH work needs to be done to encourage more development, investment and trust in Chicago based startups. Our city is getting better with knowledge sharing, BARcamps, StartUp Camps, Facebook Garage nights, etc. but you're lucky.  

We did NOT have all of these events/opportunities just 4 years ago.  It's changing. It's getting better. In my eyes, it's all upside from here. It doesn't help that we are in a recession, but Illinois is getting $8 billion from the stimulus package. Resources tell me that your tech evangelists are already doing what they can to see how some of those funds can go back to the tech community. 

Continue asking questions. Continue seeking out the 'old timer's that built something once and are looking to expand. More of them are coming out of the woodwork and wanting to keep businesses thriving in Chicagoland.  

Happy Number 10 to Eric and Frank. Your event was such a must-go for Melissa Pierce and Jeff Woelker  - they brought their passports to prove it.