Portland Event- curious?

Mark ~

Money is always a good topic (sales in particular) so I think the Heart Centered Sales topic wouldbe a strong one - and I'm thinking about both associations - WAN and SECP (over 1000 member arts and creativity indie folks who want to be profitable.

FOr me personally, I know the power of strategic alliances and think that would be a phenominal topic to explore.

Hope this helps...

XXX, A.

Hi Mark, Yes, the sun has been a bit distracting!
I agree with Adrienne. Heart centered sales is a topic I'd like to delve into, and strategic alliances is a bridge I have yet to cross in the business sense.

I feel like websites are important, and I really like mine. It's mostly a place for people to find me, get my contact info, and read a little about what I do. I don't do a whole lot of business through it though so I might not be inclined to attend something at that level quite yet.

The whole concept of creating products is fascinating to me as I work in the healthcare field. My product is service so I'd need a little creative nudging to understand how market services (or knowledge perhaps!) as product.

So I guess I'm saying I'd be interested in all these at some point, but the sales and alliances would be my top two choices for now.

Mark

Thanks for initiating this. I have thought about it myself but haven't made it happen. I like the idea of strategic alliances and products second. No more on websites.

Mainly it would be good for all of us here in Portland to get together and do something where we can share with and support each other. The community is what interests me the most so a topic that can facilitate that would be ideal. Let me know if you want or need help getting it set up. Kaya

Mark - Yes! Thank you for initiating this - I've been wanting to sponsor some kind of a BizNik get-together as well. I agree with Kaya - I like the idea of both products and alliances as discussion topics, but would want the opportunity to meet and build community and connect to be a key part of whatever we choose to do together . . . -Bridget

How about McMenamins - Kennedy School? They have a "gymnasium" space which holds 112 people.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=57&id=122

I would be happy to look into cost and help you plan it, Mark.

I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but I'm mostly interested in building community and meeting local biznikians.

However, learning about heart-centered sales does interest me and could make for great discussion.

So, Lara and I are coming down to Portland for the Shop/08 conference on March 10. (Biznik is a sponsor of the event and we'll be moderating a panel discussion about how independent business people can use the web effectively).

We've been invited by the conference organizer to host a social networking event immediately following the conference on Monday evening, and we're going to do it! It'll be a great opportunity to introduce conference participants to Biznik, as well as give Portland Biznik members an opportunity to meet with a lot of other indie business people for some casual networking.

So my question to you, Portland Biznik members, is: what is a great venue in the Pearl district for this? Is one of you interested in stepping up to help us organize this locally? (Helping select a venue and then calling or visiting the bar to make sure they can accommodate around 50 people showing up is the main task).

Mark... If you would like an active Seattle biznik to come to Portland for a biznik event to show support and willing to share some of the "practical benefits" that can be achieved, I would be willing to make a trip, schedule permitting. ...Howard

Dan: I'll step up to the plate and take a swing at finding a Pearl district venue. I don't know any offhand, but I have some contacts in that area who would know some great places. I'll let you know what I find out!

Mark: By "jump on the bandwagon" I meant that I didn't want to just agree with everyone else's thoughts on the meeting opp. There was another thread somewhere about the redundancy of "I agree" posts, so I wanted to be more constructive... but I agreed. ;)

Thank you David!

Argh! I'm prolly gonna be there next weekend, but you guys might not have anything going on :|

Mark, sounds great. Give me a ring on Monday. My number: nine seven one - five three three - seven zero one three.

I'm driving down with my friend on Saturday morning (3/1) and back on Sunday afteroon. It would be nice to meet with you guys .... it's our first time to Portland - any suggestions for tourist attractions in the city?

Hi Mark, My vote would be for alliances and as a second choice products. Emma

Alrighty - I got the Biznik "Happy Hour" event in the calendar. David Billings is helping us find an appropriate venue. (Send any ideas you have his way.)

Please plan on coming down to say "hi" and meet other indie business people, where you can continue this conversation in person - http://biznik.com/events/2008/3/10/portland-indie-business-night

If you know of other indies who could benefit from this great Biznik community that's growing in your area, send them the link!

Hope to see you there!

I'm with Emma about the order of interesting topics. I also think that time to meet and network would be a great add-on to it.

How's the date-arranging coming along, Mark?

Sounds great to me, I'll be there. Good job finding a venue!

See you tonight, I hope?