Further evidence that TorontoTechWeek is actually not about technology or the technology community:
“Toronto Tech Talk (T3) is our after work networking series where we invite Toronto's business community to join us for some networking and hear from some of the CEO's that help to put our city on the map and make Toronto the ‘Northern Hub.’
This event is not just for the geeks or freaks, this is about professional networking, so whether you are in accounting, advertising, law, marketing, public relations or technology grab your business cards and come out for a drink and some great conversations.”
I hate when others think they are part of the technology tribe. Maybe this is proof that being geek is cool. I guess this is what eventually happens to all good bands (read Joey’s post ), like many, I became aware of The Clash only after they were a stadium band but it doesn’t diminish their impact on me. But there is a difference between being about connections between people and it being about “professional networking”.
As Tom Purves said in response:
“I ran an EnterpriseCamp last year, in the end it was pretty successful, though the venue choice was expensive and not ideal, and I got no sponsorship from the city, and a little PR from a listing on the TTW website. I had to put a relatively high price on tickets, and still make up the rest from my own pocket.
City hall didn't organize TTW last year. In fact they hardly did anything at all.” – Tom Purves
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this adds value to the members of the Toronto tech community. By getting the people already doing things, to be associated with their event, and then claiming credit for the successes that would happen without their involvement it just doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m not sure how or why this event helps Toronto’s independent designers, technologists or entrepreneurs. I’m not even sure how helps larger companies who want to be perceived as build innovative products, services and marketing strategies. It feels like strip mining of the whuffie of community members.
I don’t see any return value by associating my social capital with this event. Am I wrong?