Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

You may or may not know this, but an events company called Net.works is amongst my tiny portfolio of small companies.

Net.works is a networking events company. We connect people who are serious about doing business by staging informal, fun events in relaxed surroundings.

Here are some of the events that are coming up…

OpenSoho

There’s a buzz around town following the 2008 launch of these monthly informal meet-ups for talented entrepreneurs working in the tech and media industries. OpenSoho has helped create a community of like-minded followers through its Facebook group and Twitter page, causing a clamber for tickets each time they’re made available. With a sponsored bar and late-night dancefloor, OpenSoho is a highly acclaimed night on the tiles for those currently causing waves and shaping the future of the UK digital, media and advertising scene. These folk work hard and play harder, come join in the fun.

Upcoming events for January, February and March 2010 - grab your ticket.

• January 20th
• February 23rd
• March 23rd

Digital Dinners

Up to twelve guests, each month are matched according to their business interests. We then ensure both the wine and the chat keep on flowing throughout a three-course meal in lavish surroundings. Topics are discussed, issues debated and contacts are made in a relaxed, fun and non-pressured environment. Dinner are held two to four times per month. Inspiring dinner party conversation often depends on who’s sitting next to you.

With the Digital Dinners format, there’s no need to sneak in beforehand and move the place-names around (although, we guess you can if you really want to). How you then choose to develop the contacts you’ll make after being wined and dined by us, is entirely up to you. Here who’s coming to our first dinner this month. Sign up to our mailing list and provide a short bio to receive your invitation to the next one (January 26th).

• Andy Hinder, Managing Partner, Steel
• Nicky Applegarth, Commercial Director, Steel
• Tom Bradley, Principal, DN Capital
• Bill Morrow, Founder, Angels Den
• Clare McDonald, Executive Creative Director    Sky TV
• Richard Daish, Digital Product Manager, Nike
• Abigail Harrison, Managing Director, thebluedoor
• Ben Tompkins, General Partner, Eden Ventures
• John Straw, CEO, Linkdex
• Paul Walsh, Founder, Net.works & Segala

Business Retreats

A focused exclusive business retreat abroad where a selected 24 success-driven entrepreneurs come together in a luxury environment to achieve the very best for themselves and their business. Pair this with 3 planned days of fun and strategy, and the rest is up to you.

We organise three-day business retreats in some stunning locations across Europe. Imagine, aligning your brand alongside 23 focused entrepreneurs staying in a 17th Century five-star French chateau and striving for success in inspiring surroundings.

Over the course of the three days, guests will find time to relax, indulge, have fun, build strong relationships and do a spot of work in the sunshine. As sponsor, you’ll be there to help, inspire and discuss how your brand can help with the day-to-day issues entrepreneurs face.

Each evening, themed dinners and entertainment will take the stress out of striving for business success. And on guest’s return to the UK, we’ll ensure they receive additional help and guidance from two carefully selected mentors on any of the business issues raised on the retreat. As sponsor, one of these mentors may be you. Check out our first retreat.

We have a cool retreat coming up in the next couple of months so sign up now to ensure you find out about it.

Check out the last one we did!

Sign up to the mailing list now and receive updates and invitations to special events and gatherings.

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

In preparation for my talk in Greece tomorrow. A massive thanks to Eileen Brown from Microsoft for sending them across to my office on time.

This is a talk I’m very much looking forward to, not just because I haven’t been back to Greece since managing a cocktail bar on the party island, that is Ios, but because I’m dying to hear their story. I’m looking forward to hearing what the benefits and hurdles are in Greece for entrepreneurs generally and women in tech specifically. I’ve been asked to talk about ‘my story’ - which means I’ll talk about my career path and highlight the good and bad choices I made. You can read more about the event on the Greek Geek Girl Web site.

So, if you’re in Greece and are reading this, I look forward to meeting you. Please feel free to ask plenty of questions during and after my talk. You can leave questions on this post if you like and I’ll take them with me to answer on the night.

So, what’s wrong with it? It’s an entire page dedicated to Twitter in Square Meal magazine, entitled ‘To Tweet or Not to Tweet’, aimed at people who host parties and events and it doesn’t have a single quote from me. Why is that wrong? Let me explain…

1. I have more than 4,000 followers - more than anyone else who’s involved in UK based events
2. I run an events company
3. I have (arguably) been responsible for some of the most successful marketing campaigns on twitter - specifically for events promotion (for example, selling more than 200 tickets in less than 12 hours, during the night)
4. I own some restaurants
5. This is the best bit, the author of the article is none other than my bloody flatmate who knows all of the above.

Brilliant. By the way, this post is in jest so don’t think for a second I’m being serious. I just couldn’t stop laughing when Mike showed me the article this afternoon. One word for him - git! I’ve decided not to read it out of protest.

Am I being harsh on the git? Whatever you do, do not follow him on twitter!

Since we introduced a £5 price tag ticket sales have been steady with about 200 sold already.

You can buy your ticket here.

Sponsored by

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http://www.mitef.org.uk/

Part of an international network of MIT Enterprise Forums providing connections between technology entrepreneurs and its global communities, the UK Forum is open to all individuals, entrepreneurs and investors passionate about driving technological enterprise and innovation, whether MIT alumni or non-alumni.

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.