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Weekly updates to the main SoCal Networking Event Organizations. Please let me know if know of other organizations to add, or if you have any feedback on events.

Sorry for the delay, but this Update is BIG!!

Follow these links to find the updates, and follow further for the full listings.

4 Updates and 12 New in SoCal Networking Event Organizations.

1 update in Networking & Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts.

No updates for SoCal Educational Networking & Job Search Organizations.

No updates for Other & Indirect Job Networking Opportunities

SoCal Networking Event Organizations

Name: New Media Vault
Sites: twitter.com/newmediavault, http://www.tubefilter.tv/newmediavault/, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65010916756
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: LAdobe User Group
Sites: twitter.com/ladobe, www.laadug.org
Self-description: "The Los Angeles Adobe User Group began in early 2006... While user groups already existed for certain Adobe applications, LAdobe would revolve around the majority of Adobe applications. Especially those not featured prominently at other area user group meetings. Meetings ... have featured top speakers including Colin Smith, Stephen Burns, Joshua Adams, Daniel Sorenson, Lon Levin, Jacob Rosenberg and many more.

One mantra of the group is to have it’s member share it’s knowledge of Adobe apps and to always admit all members free to all events. Unlike some user groups, LAdobe never has and never will charge an admission fee to its’ meetings or special events.

LAdobe continues to strive to present the best speakers and events for the Los Angeles tech, creative and development communities and will be presenting many special events, launch parties and even a MiniMAX or two over the next few years.

If it’s Adobe….It’s here."
Frequency/Location: "Meetings occur once every month on the fourth Thursday at 7pm" / Key Code Media, 1004 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (located between 10th and 11th)
Cost: Free
Review: Adam Bell founded this group and I've met him numerous times; he's knowledgeable, a good guy, and shares my interest in good beer.
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Technosium Executive Alliance Forums
Sites: www.technosium.com, /twitter.com/technosiumusa, flickr.com/photos/prandcorporate, youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B2DADE555EB2C1EA, twitter.com/PRandCorporate
Self-description: "Technosium Executive Alliance Forums are bringing industry vendors and end-users together through interactive meetings. Technosium has received support in past events from associations and industry leaders including Association of Information Technology Professionals, Information Systems Security Association, Silicon Valley Communications, San Jose Mercury News - The Newspaper of Silicon Valley, Wi-Fi Alliance, Trusted Computing Group, Information Security Professionals Association, Network Products Guide, Personal Broadband Industry Association, Covenant, Wireless Communications Alliance, Technology Lawyer, Info Security Products Guide, New Technology World and Stanford Graduate School of Business."
Frequency/Location: Varies / Varies
Cost: Unknown
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Moodtyme Events
Review: They categorize each event as one or more types: "VIP POWER NETWORKING EVENT" (VPNE), "PRE-GRAMMY POWER NIGHT" (PGPN), "THE LIST" (TL), plus four others that are "Coming Soon."

I attended the 1/30 Los Angeles "PGPN + VPNE + TL" event at The Kress, Hollywood. Attendees filled out name tags, received a small promotional chocolate from one of the "event partners", and were directed into a large private room. The founder Germaine K. Moody took the Mic at about 7:15 and introduced the event and a singer with the comment that they will "keep the music low to network". Throughout the evening a number of acts played a song or a few, and the volume increased until it was concert-level. It was like a music showcase; many seemed not to be expecting this, and a number of people left. The event kicked off with about 60 people (making the the venue seemed a bit empty), and peaked at about 100. Between the acts the Mic was passed for attendees to do their 30sec commercials; it was tough to hear them even with no music playing. There was a strong music industry attendance with performers, singers, songwriters and actors. Networking was active. There was a cash bar and free appetizers. Parking in Hollywood on a weekend night is expensive. Dress varied from club-like to men in coats and ties. At 11pm the lights dimmed, a DJ took over, and the regular Kress club-goers took over.
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: indie Producer (iP) Schmoozefests
Sites: www.indieproducer.net/Events/what-is-an-ip-schmoozefest, twitter.com/iPmembers
Self-description: "People always say that to be successful in Hollywood you have to network. But if you are new to the business, how do you get started? Or maybe you have been around for a while, but just can’t seem to connect with the kind of people who can actually help you. Don’t you wish you could share a casual drink with a Network Executive or Oscar-nominated screenwriter? An award winning Producer, Director, or actor? Well, now you can!

IP Schmoozefest is a unique networking opportunity for you to “schmooze” with literally all kinds of successful industry professionals in a relaxed party environment. These popular events give our members the chance to mix with their peers over drinks while also talking one-on-one with some of the most successful and inspirational people in the entertainment industry. Our Mentors range from award-winning screenwriters, producers, directors, to accomplished agents, executives, attorneys, and managers in both television and film along with all aspects of “Below the Line” crew members.

Schmoozefest features 6 to 8 VIP Mentors, each sitting at their own table. Throughout the evening, our guests make the rounds, asking questions and sharing stories with the industry veterans. If you are shy we have IP staff there to help introduce you to the other guests, and suggest the Mentors who will help you get the most of the evening.

By the end of the night, you will have gained valuable career advice from the pros, and made connections with others in the industry, too. Just like that, you’re schmoozing!"
Frequency/Location: Unknown / Unknown
Cost: $20
Review: The iP site also supports a (free) membership function with photos, videos, jobs offered/wanted, chat and more.
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Ladies Who Brunch
Sites: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/brunchingladies
Self-description: "LWB is unlike other groups: we're only for women in the Los Angeles film, TV, music, publishing and games industries. Our events are only open to members, and members must apply to join through me with a resume. We operate for now through a Yahoo Group. Events are irregular and the details change but we do them every couple months or so. Current members can submit new member nominations to karen@ladieswhobrunch.org."
Frequency/Location: Varies / Varies
Cost: Unknown
Review: None, but if you happen to run across their non-yahoo website, keep in mind it's under construction.
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Networking For Professionals (NFP)
Review: I attended the 2/2/10 "High Speed Networking" event at The Yard, Santa Monica. The event took place in the shared main room of venue which wasn't crowded with only a few other tables occupied. Lighting was good and the background music was mostly OK, but lower could have been better. I ended up arriving early and was greeted by two other attendees so we networked, of course. The "High Speed Networking" would take place on a long, tall table with chairs. David and Dava were the hosts of this event, and I believe they arrived a bit late, as did about half the attendees. At the official start time, there were only 12 people. Name tags were made available. Most men were wearing jackets, but I don't recall any ties. Drink specials were available but they were domestic commercial beer and who'd order that at The Yard with all it's otherwise excellent choice of domestic and international beers? Free appetizer plates were placed on the table.
Overall, I'd say the event had a slight unorganized feel. The High Speed Networking seemed to start late but there were two dozen or more participating (including about 6 women). It operated as follows: each pair across the table would have 5mins to network, and then one side would slide over a chair. As the event progressed both the non-attendee crowd, the music, and the subsequent overall noise of the venue increased; it became difficult to talk & listen across the tables. I met a little more than half the attendees during the official networking - they had to stop at 8:45 as another event had the venue at 9. Some stuck around for another 30 mins or so and continued their conversations or started new ones. The variety of people I met was notable, including: 2 acupuncturists, 2 CPAs, 2 Chiropractor, 2 in nutritional/supplement sales, an architect, and a painting contractor. It was more similar to a Referral Network.
The next day NFP sent out an email with attendee's names, profession, company, "seeking", and email, plus a link to their NFP online member profile.
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: WestSide PowerTippers
Sites: www.powertippers.com/WestSide
Self-description: "We are a professional organization of men and women dedicated to high standards of competence and service.

Our purpose is the exchange of business tips.

Each Business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed.

OUR CREED: 'WestSide PowerTippers are dedicated professionals networking for business success.
When one member wins, all members win.'"
Frequency/Location: Every Thursday 7-8:30AM "Please arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 to sign-in" / The Olympic Collection Banquet & Conference Center, 11301 West Olympic Boulevard, West Los Angeles, CA 90064. Call to confirm time & location.
Cost: "Come to 2 breakfast meetings…the first as our guest and the second for $18, payable at registration." Membership application, inspection, and approval by group follows. "Only one member per category is allowed in each chapter."
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: EcoTuesday
Sites: www.ecotuesday.com, facebook.com/ecotuesday, flickr.com/photos/ecotuesday, linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid;=145695, twitter.com/ecotuesday
Self-description: "EcoTuesday Vision:

EcoTuesday is committed to changing the way people do business. The monthly event provides a structured environment where sustainable business leaders network with one another and gain insight from industry thought–leaders and trendsetters. Everyone in the room quickly learns about everyone else during the “introduction circle”. EcoTuesday.com connects participants between events, serves as a hub for conversations and showcases local businesses.

The vision of EcoTuesday is for business people to share ideas and collaborate so that companies develop products and services that have a positive impact on the marketplace and planet.

MONTHLY EVENTS
Featuring opportunities for sustainable business leaders to network and learn about current issues from an innovative speaker and from one another. During the introduction circle, all participants share one sentence about their business and a passion or interest around sustainability.

ONLINE NETWORK
Connecting all sustainable business leaders between events. Participants can automatically create profiles within the global community directory when registering for events, create groups based on specific interests or geographic region, communicate with each other between events, discover sustainability resources and find job opportunities. This is coming soon! Stay tuned!

LOCAL AMBASSADORS
Producing EcoTuesday events in their city, becoming regional leaders in sustainable business. Ambassadors are empowered with tools and resources to earn income by generating and hosting EcoTuesday events."
Frequency/Location: Monthly / In about ten cities across the US (including Los Angeles)
Cost: "EcoTuesday is FREE (with your online registration - Ed.) in February and March! Please RSVP. (It's $10 at the door.)"
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Schmoozd
Sites: www.schmoozd.com, www.facebook.com/Schmoozd, linkedin.com/groups?gid=2706171, twitter.com/schmoozd,
Self-description: "As Social Networking is moving from its primordial beginnings to something more sophisticated the need for getting people physically together is growing, especially on a regional basis. Los Angeles and its environs has become a major computing powerhouse and social networking has influenced much of the latest in web applications. Schmoozd was brought about to facilitate the coming together of people and in the sharing of ideas between the city’s brightest entrepreneurs, technocrats, bloggers, designers, and investors.

Founded by local entrepreneurs, Schmoozd is not your typical networking event. There are no presentations or panels to be found. The purpose, therefore, is to provide a venue where people can mix in a casual manner, yet to allow for the exchange of ideas. Yes to see and be seen!

Schmoozd is not your usual get together. There’s no boring speakers or yawner Powerpoint presentations telling you stuff you already know. Instead, you get to mingle up close and personal with technocrats, entrepreneurs, VC funders, web programmers, marketers and other social networking geeks like you. This is not a hosted event, so you get to be casual and be yourself and ask any questions you want to without being screened by a moderator or other evil gatekeepers.

Here’s what you can expect…

* Access to successful people who are doing things right – up close and personal. Ask them any question you want.
* Appetizers. If you eat enough, you can call it dinner and spend your $ on a Schmoozed martini instead.
* Drink discounts – just show the bartender your Schmoozd sticker.
* Occasional gift-raffles. Sign-In for a chance to win some free swag.
* Hours: 6:00 – 10:00.
* A chance to converse, share ideas with, and potentially be seen by some of LA’s hottest movers and shakers.

What are you waiting for? Schmooze, baby, schmoooooze!"
Frequency/Location: Varies / Varies
Cost: $20
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Startup Weekend
Sites: startupweekend.org, facebook.com/startupweekend, twitter.com/startupweekend
Self-description: "Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists and more to a 54 hour event that builds communities, companies and projects.

...the weekend is a concept of a conference focusing on learning by creating. It is known for its quick decisions, ‘out of the box’ thinking (oh no, the buzzwords are attacking!), unique facilitation technique and letting the founders show what they can do.

The participants that attend a Startup Weekend decide what they want to tackle over the weekend and come out at the end with several developed companies or projects. Attendees are responsible for bringing the same desire and passion to the project and walk out of the room with the task at hand, in a short 54 hours. Sound intense? It is.

What do Attendees get?
Startup Weekend provides an unprecedented level of networking, team building, learning, and life changes for its attendees and their communities. Don’t forget that there will be 6-7 meals and drinks provided. There is a reason that most attendees come back for every event – it’s just plain fun and provides amazing opportunities you can’t get anywhere else. Sometimes a company emerges, sometimes one doesn’t. Some companies go on to produce revenue or get seed funding, but every time people leave with more experience, insight, knowledge, friends, and resources than they came with."
Frequency/Location: Multiple times a month / "The program has already met with success in over 52 cities and 12 countries and growing!"
Cost: $15-$50 depending on role, student status, or amount of time spent
Review: Not a typical networking event, but certainly an excellent opportunity to get involved with people you probably want to be networking with.
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Web Host Industry Review
Sites: www.thewhir.com, twitter.com/thewhir, www.flickr.com/photos/thewhir/sets, facebook.com/theWHIR, www.thewhir.com/whir-events
Self-description: "Web Host Industry Review is the largest news organization and consumer resource dedicated to the web hosting industry, publishing since 2000.

WHIR Events are a chance to do face-to-face business and networking with executives, solution providers and corporate decision makers in a relaxed environment with complimentary drinks and appetizers. Our goal is to provide a local venue for you to do business, make new connections and learn more about those in our exciting industry."
Frequency/Location: Appears to be once a year per city (bur LA's has passed already this year) / 10 cities in the US and Canada
Cost: Free?
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG)
Sites: www.mengonline.com, twitter.com/mengonline
Self-description: "MENG is a national network of top-level marketing executives. The organization is devoted to enhancing its members' professional skills, relationships, and knowledge and prides itself on a culture of genuine camaraderie.

MENG is structured as a not-for-profit membership organization and are governed by a 15-person Board of Directors. We have a Program Director that organizes national programs open to all MENG members. In addition, we have numerous local Chapters, Special Interest Groups, and ad hoc working Committees through which we accomplish our goals.

Not all interaction is local; MENG member share many common interests, including industry ties and areas of expertise. That's why MENG created Special Interest Groups.

MENG is a very active organization! There are many activities going on at the national and local level at any one given time.

* Chapter Events: See examples of upcoming events at the local MENG chapters.
* Special Interest Group Events: Upcoming Special Interest Group events may be listed here.
* Calendar of Upcoming Events: See a snapshot of all upcoming events.
* Upcoming Industry Events: See upcoming conferences that MENG is sponsoring or recommending to marketers
* Webinars: MENG offers more than 30 webinars every year - learn about upcoming topics"
Frequency/Location: Varies / "MENG has local chapters in 12 major cities in the continental United States."
Cost: "Membership fee is $400 the first year which includes the registration fee of $200 plus annual dues of $200. After the first year MENG dues are $200 annually."
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Technology Executives Networking Group (TENG)
Sites: www.theteng.org, finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TENG-Discussion (members only), Southern California TENG (SoCalTENG) LinkedIn Group
Self-description: "The Technology Executives Networking Group. LLC (TENG) is a professional community of selected Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology Officers, vice presidents and directors of technology with organizations ranging from startups to the global Fortune 100, from non-profits to government agencies.

TENG members provide each other with a wide range of benefits, including unbiased vendor references, introductions to key contacts in target organizations, insights into business and technology strategies, access to new career opportunities, and a wealth of shared experiences, advice, and support."
Frequency/Location: Varies / "TENG delivers business resources through regional chapters in 13 major metropolitan areas in the United States and a network of more than 4,500 members, nationwide."
Cost: Unknown
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Financial Executives International (FEI)
Sites: www.financialexecutives.org, linkedin.com/groups?gid=49573, financialexecutives.blogspot.com, facebook.com/group.php?gid=5007487404, fei.mashnetworks.com, twitter.com/feiblog
Self-description: "FEI's mission is to advance the success of senior-level financial executives, their organizations and the profession.

We strive to be recognized globally as the leading organization for senior-level financial executives. Since 1931, FEI has been connecting members through:

* interaction: providing local and international forums for connecting with peers
* information: providing insight to assist with informed business decisions
* influence: providing authoritative representation for members’ interests
* integrity: providing the tools to advance the profession through ethical leadership

Events and Conferences: knowledge and networking opportunities for financial executives"
Frequency/Location: Varies / "86 chapters across the U.S. and Canada"
Cost: "Annual dues are $495, local chapter dues are additional and vary by chapter. There is an application fee of $250. "
Review: None
Added 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: Choice Career Fairs
Review: I arriving at noon at their 2/11/10 LA event, which was scheduled from 10:30a to 2p at the LA Convention Center. With no greater detail provided, I eventually determined that I could park at the South Hall; parking was a steep $12 but I noticed $8-$9 lots across the street. Once inside it was difficult to determine that it was being held in a Concourse meeting room.

Outside the room was a sign-in table that was adequately staffed for the handful of attendees there at any time. If you pre-registered and had you emailed "Line Pass" you got a flyer and went right in, otherwise you had to fill out a short form. The flyer included a list of the Participating Companies and also a list of the jobs titles available. While I was taking note of the event, I was approached by someone who apparently worked for the event, who offered to help me and also had a list of job titles by company. Not sure why the flyer the attendees were given didn't include that information. The room was about 50' x 80' with 20 booths. Six of the booths were colleges or universities, a seemingly high percentage. A couple other companies included an "entrepreneurial home business", a couple that were more skilled verse professional, and a couple that were mostly sales.

There were about 100 attendees - it wasn't crowded. Dress was mixed, from suits and ties to jeans and t-shirts, although most men were wearing coats and ties; I went with a suit, no tie. There were essentially no lines at any of the booths except for about a dozen people waiting very patiently for the free resume/cover letter review person.

They sent a "Job List" email three days prior to the event, and even updated it the day before. Unfortunately, I nearly didn't see them as were in my GMail Spam folder and marked with the warning "This message may not be from whom it claims to be. Beware of following any links in it or of providing the sender with any personal information." I'm not sure what they are doing to appear illegitimate but they should fix it.
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Networking & Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts

Name: Layoff Bounce Back - Sharon Rich
Sites: layoffbounceback.com, leadershipincorporated.wordpress.com, twitter.com/sharonrich
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

SoCal Educational Networking & Job Search Organizations

No updates this week.

Other & Indirect Job Networking Opportunities

• Professional Associations, Groups, Societies & Events.
• Online Professional "Social" Networking & Branding.
• Outplacement Firms.
• YOUR Previous Job - Alumni "groups".
• More Social Ideas - Network Everywhere.
• Volunteer - Network while doing "good".
• Other - keep your mind open.