He’s a hometown favorite, a national social media player, and creator of the outstanding TECH cocktail series of events. He continues to innovate and lead AOL and many individuals into a better way of communicating. Frank Gruber joins us today on the Buzz Bin to discuss the upcoming TECH cocktail to be held here in the greater DC area on Thursday, April 24 at MCCXXIII on Connecticut Avenue at 6:30. And if you are coming to BlogPotomac you can here Frank speak as our lunch keynote, too.
BB: Does being a local resident make having TECH cocktail in Washington more special?
FG: Yes, I think it does. We started TECH cocktail in Chicago when both Eric Olson and I lived in there, to help better connect and showcase the local technology community and I have gotten to know a lot of folks in Chicago. Since I now live in D.C., it is great to be able to host TECH cocktail in my home technology community as the community is very similar to that of Chicago.
BB: Tell us why TECH cocktail has been so successful around the country?
FG: TECH cocktail is all about helping the local technology community as it is a "cocktail of tech people" (i.e. technology enthusiasts, bloggers, VCs, etc). We aim to offer an approachable outlet for connecting while showcasing the local technology scene which all plays into the events success. We could not do it without the support of the local tech communities in Chicago, DC, Boston and Boulder.
BB: What do you hope TECH cocktail #2 in DC will do?
FG: Since our first TECH cocktail last year in DC, we have seen a number of other events arise to add to the others that already existed and to be totally frank, that is the whole point. We hope TECH cocktail can help to facilitate the creation of new technology startups, companies finding and funding, new friendships, new employment opportunities and more.
BB: Who are some of your favorite local social media stars and bloggers?
FG: There are lots of great local social media folks in the DC Metro Area. From you providing the Buzz to the technosailor to 15 Meanings to the Social Times to Oatmeal Stout to Jess3 with his skull stickers there are lots of social media experts in the area. I cannot say I have a favorite other than SOMEWHAT FRANK of course. :) But I am sure there are some I do not yet know about but I am hoping to meet some them at TECH cocktail DC 2.
BB: What’s next for Frank Gruber?
FG: Well let’s see…
I am pretty busy these days. In addition to the upcoming TECH cocktail DC 2, I was in Chicago last week as TECH cocktail earned Eric Olson and I an Illinois I.T. Association CityLIGHTS Award for TECH cocktail’s positive impact on the Illinois technology community. It was much appreciated as it further validates out mission of helping to connect and amplify the local technology scene and I thank the community for the support. We are also hosting our first TECH cocktail CONFERENCE on May 29th in Chicago and so we have been working hard to pull that effort together. http://www.techcocktailconference.com
Buzz Bin readers can use the promo code: LivingstonBuzz and receive $25 off the price of the conference.
I am working full-time for AOL in product development in the Social Platforms group and we have been working on myAOL as well as a number of other projects. We are currently waiting for the acquisition of Bebo, the 3rd largest social network behind MySpace & Facebook, to be finished up.
Aside from that I have been blogging up a storm at SOMEWHAT FRANK, created a new video podcast called SOMEWHAT FRANK TV and I am working on a book.
I sleep occasionally.
Great interview, Marinel! Frank deserves all the coverage he can get for helping to keep the tech community strong in the DC area. I’m excited to head to both of the Tech Cocktail events mentioned above :-)