Windy City - Here I come for SObCon 2008

I am looking forward to being in Chicago tomorrow May 2nd. This will be my first time at Midway airport .For a change I am flying in from Dulles instead of BWI so McClean, Reston and Herndon peeps i will wave as I pass by.

I will be meeting old friends and making new friends. I heard there is a open mic night and if I sing I hope the coast guard is ready to rescue the people who prefer to jump over the side than listen to me sing. :)

Program for SOBCon 08 is exciting

DAY 1 — Welcome to Chicago!

Friday May 2, 2008
noon to 6:30pm
Liz will be available and many of the speakers will be around at
Hotel 71 — 71 East Wacker Dr. –Chicago, IL — 312 462 7080

Many attendees are staying next door at
Club Quarters — 75 East Wacker Dr — Chicago, IL — 312 357-6400

Check the SOBConWiki to find out more. Add your information so that folks can find you.

Music, Mics, and City Lights on the Water

6:30pm to 10pm
Christine Kane and Open Mic on the Lake and the River
As we leave the dock on the “Summer of George,” we’ll transition away from the travel, information, and noise to begin the weekend. Christine Kane start us off with a musical conversation. Then Open Comment Night will be a question or two. How is a blogger like a musician? Got a question you want ask? Got an observation? Bring them along. The breathtaking views from the river and lake will ensure that you’ll never forget that you’ve been to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No worries. We’ll make sure you get a chance to enjoy them.

Details of the Cruise
6:30pm to 6:40pm Meet in lobby of Hotel 71 to walk together to the boat.
Name of the boat: Chicago Cruises, “Summer of George”
Directions: Chicago Cruises
The stairs down to the boat are located on northwest side of the Wabash St. bridge.
(North of the Chicago River between State and Wabash.)
If you walk north on State, turn right after you cross the river. It will be at the end of the block.
As you leave Hotel 71/CQ on Wacker, head left away from the lake, and go to the corner. Cross the street (Wabash). Cross the bridge. The entrance will be at the end of the bridge. A sign over the stairway reads Chicago Cruises.
6:45pm — Boat boards.
7:00pm — Boat launches.
10:00pm — Boat docks.
Dress: blogger casual (You might bring a jacket or sweater.)
Fuel: Libations — alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, hefty and healthful boat foods, and surprises. Thank you to our sponsors, Beam Global and Buzz Logic, who helped make this event happen. Be sure to make them a part of your evening conversation.
Parking: $5 validation for parking at 441 N. Wabash, Chicago IL — 312 819 5050 (2 blocks north)
After Cruise: Meet at the Emerald Loop 216 N Wabash, just south of the Wacker Bridge on the right

__________

DAY 2 — MODELS AND MASTERMINDS

Saturday May 3, 2008

Details:
Location: The Summit Executive Center — 205 N Michigan, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL, — 312 938 2000
Directions: As you leave Hotel 71/CQ on Wacker, head right toward the lake to the corner, turn right on Michigan. It’s
2 blocks south of the Chicago River on the east/left side of the street.
Facility: a fully-functional business environment with executive chairs and conference tables, wi-fi is included.
Dress: Blogger Casual
Parking: Parking is available at 233 N. Michigan Avenue for $22.00 weekday/$14.00 weekend (2-12 hours). New charge each time you move your car. Rates may change without notice. Parking is also available at area hotels.

8:00 - 8:30 Registration/Breakfast – continental breakfast of delicious and healthful choices

8:30 - 8:35 Welcome, Introduction of Founders & Sponsors – Terry Starbucker
8:35 - 9:10 Managing Your Online Reputation – Anita Bruzzese

9:10 - 9:20 How the Sessions Work: - Liz Strauss

9:20 - 9:40 Online Business Models that Work - Brian Clark
9:40 - 10:10 Online Business Models -Mastermind Teams

10:10 - 10:20 Morning Break and Snacks

10:20 - 10:40 What’s Your Promise? - Lorelle VanFossen
10:40 - 11:10 What’s Your Promise? - Mastermind Teams

11:10 - 11:30 More Bang from Your Blog - Chris Garrett
11:30 - noon More Bang from Your Blog - Mastermind Teams

noon -12:40 Catered Delicious and Healthful Buffet Lunch

12:40 -1:00 START Selling - Dave Bullock
1:00 -1:30 START Selling - Mastermind Teams

1:30 - 2:00 New Media Communities - Chris Brogan
2:00 - 2:30 New Media Communities - Mastermind Teams

2:30 - 2:40 Afternoon Break

2:40 - 3:00 The Irresistible Offer - Liz Strauss
3:00 - 3:20 The Irresistible Offer - Mastermind Teams

3:20 - 4:00 When Your Business Takes Off - Wendy Piersall

4:00 - 4:30 Feedback, Sunday Schedule Update, & Closing Terry and Liz

4:30 - 5:45 Sponsor Reception. Meet the sponsors in casual conversation. Have a chance to talk to the people who made this event possible
4:30 - 6:00
Network Solutions SEO and design consults by appointment.

Dinner and night on the town on your own.
Anyone want to meet up?

__________

Day 3: CHALLENGE AND COMMERCIALS

Sunday May 4, 2008
Location: Summit Executive Center

8:30 - 9:00 Breakfast – continental breakfast of delicious and healthful choices

9:00 - 9:20 Debrief from Saturday
9:20 -10:00 SpeedSpeaking Challenge
Attendees will be invited to give “20-slides in five minutes” presentations. Topics and speakers will be approved before the conference. Each speaker will have 5 minutes to present in the context of 20 slides and have 5 minutes for Q&A. All slide sets will be shared with the participants.

10:00 -10:10 Morning Break

10:10 -11:40 Teams choose finalists in the “Get My Message” Contest More information on how the judging will work at the event.

11:40 - Farewells and Thank yous — Terry Starbucker

9:00 - noon
Network Solutions SEO and design consults by appointment.

Smart people I am going to meet

Christine Kane

The Philosophy of the Push: A Small Observation on Indian Doorways

The Philosophy of the Push: A Small Observation on Indian Doorways There is a specific moment of low-stakes confusion that happens when you travel. You approach a shop door, your muscle memory engages, you grab the handle to pull—and your arm jerks to a halt. The door doesn't budge. You look up, and there it is, often taped right next to a digital payment sticker: a sign that says PUSH. ❖ The Muscle Memory of Safety If you live in the West, your muscle memory is trained to "pull to enter" almost any commercial building. This isn't just a design quirk; it's usually a legal requirement born out of historical tragedy. Fire codes in the US and Europe dictate that exterior doors must swing outward—in the direction of egress. The logic is grim but sound: if a crowd inside panics and rushes the exit, their collective body weight should push the door open, not seal it shut. So, when I travel back to India, and I see doors like the one below, my Weste...

Anonymous said…

Shashi!!!! I'm very happy to be seeing you there. Honestly I'm stoked enough I couldn't hardly concentrate at work today.

I'm coming with open mind and open arms, and a wee bit of cash for incidentals.

See you in 24 hours or less.

May 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM

Loved meeting you!. Thanks for connecting and see you next year!

May 6, 2008 at 9:10 AM

Unknown said…

In fact your creative writing abilities have inspired me to start my own blog now. Really blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.
Carson siren

January 16, 2013 at 11:32 PM

Rethinking economics, Culture, and work: One observation at a time - Shashi Bellamkonda

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