Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

I know July 5th falls on a Sunday but if you can, you must make your way to JuJu, 316 - 318 King’s Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UH to meet some of the best known social media experts from the US (and the UK). I highly recommend this event and have been asked to help promote it. You have just under 2 days to get a ticket for just £10 20 - which will get you food and drinks!

Who’s coming to town

• Robert Scoble
• Craig Newmark
• Sarah Lacy
• Howard Rheingold
• Meghan Asha
• JD Lasica
• Tom Foremski
• Sarah Austin
• Susan Bratton
• Jeff Saperstein
• Renee Blodgett
• Jim Schuyler

To find out more and to register for the event, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/366118069

I sent a tweet this morning to say I was going to do a ‘#followfriday’ for the very first time. A number of people asked me what that meant, so I’ve decided to write a short post to explain.

#followfriday is a way of recommending people you follow, to other users on Twitter. The idea is that those being recommended will gain new followers.

I feel so strongly about my recommendations that I’ve decided to write why I’m recommending them as potential people for you to follow.

People I recommend and why

@Sheetalmmehta (London)

Helping companies to go global, Innovation, Social entrepreneurship, Technology, Investment…

Sheetal is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Sheetal is the UK Dealmaker for the UK Trade & Investment. She sits on several advisory panels including Shelter, UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women), Digital Diaspora Network for Africa, and the LSE Alumni Mentoring Committee. Her volunteer work is extensive and she is currently writing a book on Social Venture Capital. One of her most notable accomplishments is her new foundation that enables developing communities to access cutting-edge technology based on a social enterprise model.

@Mikeyfletch (London)

Technology journalist, Events, Networking

Mike is an established business & lifestyle journalist. He’s launched three magazines on behalf of UK publishing house Haymarket Media Group & specialises in marketing, media & live events. He is Contributing Editor for Visit London and also owns a part-share in digital networking company Net.works. Mike is also one of the best connected, if not the best connected person in the entire UK events industry.

@PatPhelan (Cork)

Technology with a bias towards mobile, Connector, Innovation

Pat is the founder and President of Cubic Telecom, a well known disruptor in telephony circles and one of the leading voices of Voice 2.0. Pat has developed a number of unique products for the USA, UK and Irish markets including MAXroam, and is a board member of Global Roaming, a NASDAQ listed company (OTCBB:GRDB). Pat has a genuine passion for connecting people and has been responsible for connecting me with some truely amazing people.

@JackieDanicki (San Francisco)

Marketing (true expert in the use of new tools, techniques and trends such as social and Web 2.0), Connector, Writer

Jackie is an extremely direct person who always speaks her mind. She’s an incredibly insightful marketer which is difficult to come by. Almost every marketer and PR expert think they know how to make best use of Web 2.0 tools and techniques. Jackie does - which is why she’s the Director of Marketing at Qik; one of the most innovative mobile products companies in the world. Like Pat, Jackie has a genuine passion for connecting people and has been responsible for connecting me with some truely amazing people.

@Jobsworth (London)

Technology, Social Enterprise, Innovation, Writer, OpenSource,

JP has  spent most of his life working in the space where finance meets technology, for a number of very large firms. Since 2006 he has worked for BT, as part of BT Design, where he is Head of Innovation and Strategy. He has a passion for how work is changing: the paradigms created by globalisation, disintermediation and the web; the implications of virtualisation, service orientation and commoditisation.  JP is an inspiring speaker and writer, who I admire most for his passion for how technology can be put to good use for the benefit of society.

If you decide to follow any of these great people, or you do already, please feel free to retweet my message - they all deserve to be heard by as many people as possible.

You can also leave a comment with the people you recommend on Twitter.

Twitter has been responsible for my lack of blogging of late, so rather than try to write about all the stuff I’ve been up to over the past couple of weeks, I’ve posted some pictures and a video to help capture the essence of my recent shenanigans.

Pictures taken include the breakfast that Jeff Pulver and I hosted at Kettners with over 90 companies present - it was a great morning but as you can see from the video below, I was a little worse for wear and should never appear in front of a camera that early in the morning. Other pictures were taken at various dinners and of course, the pool shot was in South of France.

Jeff Pulver, Loren Feldman, Pat Phelan Andrew Keen and JP Rangaswami.

Watch this video on 1938media.com. If you want to leave a comment re the video please do so on Loren’s blog as I’ve just ripped it from his site.

Today marks the launch of a startup called Net.works to add to my tiny portfolio. With the dream team Mike Fletcher and Caroline Whitmey (AKA Ms. Bond), we are going to bring structure to the stuff that we do already; networking events which are both fun and practical. Events include Digital Dinners - Robert Loch, Founder of Internet People Dinners, has kindly said we can take over his format. Top Cats, Brainstorming Breakfasts, Retreats and other gatherings to bring likeminded people together.

The team

Little ole me

Mike Fletcher

When it comes to events, this guy has been there, seen them all and bought the t-shirt. For seven years, Mike Fletcher was the editor of Event and RSVP magazines. He is now an established freelance journalist and writer and specialises in experience marketing, live events digital media and consumer lifestyle. Mike is also the Contributing Editor for Visit London so is always the first port of call for anyone looking for a venue, bar or restaurant in the capital. With strong ties to the International Special Events Society and London Launch.com, Mike knows what it takes to get the party started. Fascinating Fact: Mike used to get paid to go clubbing in fancy-dress for his own monthly page in Sky Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter.

Caroline Whitmey

Adding beauty, a creative flair and a pinch of glamour to the team is Caroline Whitmey. By day, Caroline runs her own high end unique events company, offering indulgent, creative and relaxed experiences for ladies only. With a little black book bulging with contacts from her background in television and media plus Ms Bond’s female client list, our very own Scottish lass will ensure every Net.works event is the right mix of fun and business. Fascinating Fact: Caroline appeared on Blind Date and was asked to make animal noises. She lost to a porn star in hot-pants. Follow Caroline on Twitter.

Check out the new Web site and sign up for upcoming events.

Leave a comment if you’d like us change anything about our current events, or if you’d like to see us add something new and refreshing.

And thank you…

… to the guys at Digi Nut who designed and built the Web site. They were fantastic - very responsive and extremely helpful. Our thanks go especially to Danny Bull at the agency.

Sponsored by the fabulous CampbellHooper

Fancy 3 4 days of fun and focused business in Bordeaux? Picture this -  a stunning 17th century chateau with fine wine, gourmet cuisine, 3 swimming pools and as an added bonus, 23 like minded entrepreneurs, equally buzzing, equally focused and equally driven for success?

No problem.

How it works

As part of Net.works’ calendar of exclusive events, we have launched a three-day business focused jaunt to Bordeaux  for 24 hand picked entrepreneurs - the people who you needed to meet - for 3 4 days in a five star retreat.

We focus: on your business, on helping one another and on looking forward. Success. An invaluable opportunity for you to stand back, speak out and get feedback/advice and direct help. We are delighted to working with Angel’s Den,  Europe’s foremost Angel network. Come find out why 312 Angels came to the site on Christmas Day and how they have funded more deals than all of the rest combined.

We have fun – with 3 4 days of planned themed dinners/breakfasts, plenty of time for you to relax, indulge and build strong relationships . We have planned focused strategies to bring out the best of the best from each of you. It will not be intense – it will not be role play and it will NOT be 60 seconds to talk about yourself. Out with old in with the new.

Our emphasis – creativity, productivity and fun.

You have a ‘Post Retreat Meet’ - It doesn’t stop when the retreat is over. We will ensure you receive post-event help from 2 like minded people.

Your retreat

Put simply – a gem

Situated within an hour from the wonderful towns of Bordeaux and La Rochelle the five-star chateaux is a hidden gem.

• 18 bedrooms
• 13 spacious bathrooms
• 3 equipped kitchens
• Large 30 seat indoor dining room
• Outdoor dining terrace
• Snooker room
• BBQ area
• 3 swimming pools

Dates/Costs/Travel

DATES: Saturday 9th May – Tuesday 12th May

Average cost of future retreats: £749
Cost of THIS retreat: £449

• Flights
• 3 nights accommodation
• 3 course themed meal each night including wine
• Breakfast and lunch each day
• Daily maid service
• A strategic and fun itinerary for a few hours each day to ensure your business goals are met
• Post retreat support

Travel:

Outward
Saturday 9th May 2009
London Luton - Bordeaux
Departure: 13.35 Arrival: 16.20

Return
Tuesday 12th May 2009
Bordeaux – London Luton
Departure: 16.50 Arrival: 17.35.

Coming from elsewhere

If you are unable to fly from London you will be required to organIse your own flights. If this is you then please discount £100 from the total retreat price.

Who’s coming, so far…

Hosted by Net.works
Paul Walsh and Caroline Whitmey.

I will update the list when we know who else is coming.

1. Andre Brown, Founder, Locayta
2. Andrew Bredon, Founder, Deal Checker
3. Bill Morrow, Co-founder, Angels Den
4. Caroline Whitmey, Founder, Ms Bond & Co-founder, Net.works
5. Cedric Sellin, Founder, GenieDB & Angel Investor
6. David Ramm, Partner, Campbell Hooper
7. Duncan Cheatle, Founder of The Supper Club & ThanksTo.com
8. George Berkowski, Founder, WooMe
9. Gina Decio, Membership Manager, Adam Street Private Members Club
10. Lois Cook, Co-founder, Angels Den
11. Malcolm Scovil, Founder, Leap
12. Paul Walsh, Founder, Segala, Net.works & Wubud and Chair, British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
13. Philip Wilkinson, Founder, Crowdstorm & Angel Investor (Co-founder, Kelkoo)
14. Rob Carter, Partner, CFO by the Day to StartUps
15. Rob Walk, Managing Partner, NovaRising
16. Robert Loch, Founder, Pure Escapes
17. Syd Nadim, Chairman, Prince’s Trust Fund Raising Committee & CEO, Clock
18. Will Jefferies, Managing Director, Maveric Media
19. William Makeower, Founder, Panlogic
20. Nick Bell, Founder, Quick.TV
21. Milo Yiannopoulos, Technology Correspondent, Daily Telegraph/Telegraph Media Group

How to apply

The remaining 5 will be notified by Thursday 16th March at 12 noon.

Please get in touch with Paul Walsh if you’d like to take part paulatsegala.com

About Net.works

Background

Net.works is a new events company I’m launching with my partners in crime; Mike Fletcher, former editor turned freelance journalist and Caroline Whitmey, Founder of Ms Bond. Together we’re launching an events initiative aimed at connecting those people serious about doing business.

Net.works manage regular breakfast and evening social meet-ups, bringing together hard-to-reach innovators from across a wide range of related fields. The company’s goal is to forge stronger relations and encourage greater collaboration between the interactive and digital start-up communities and the worlds of business, finance, media and advertising.

Following on from the hugely successful Top Cats invitation-only events, organised by Paul Walsh and fellow entrepreneur Robert Loch during the past year, Net.works is taking exclusive business networking to the next level.