TECH cocktail 2: Good Times, Lessons Learned
By Hanna Aronovich in Miscellaneous on Oct 13, 2006 5:07PM
A good party deserves a sequel, which is why the guys behind TECH cocktail 1 hosted another round. Thanks to Frank Gruber and Eric Olson, TECH cocktail 1 – a social and networking event for technology and business professionals – drew more than 200 guests the first time around.
TECH cocktail 2, held last night at The Gramercy, brought in more than 350 tech enthusiasts. Chicagoist made an appearance – and gave out some free t-shirts, hoodies, business cards, buttons and stickers. In addition to our schwag, the event was a great time and full of a few surprises.
Originally, Coastr and some other sponsors, were providing $2,500 in free beer. But when the tab ran out on the open bar, Vonage founder Jeffrey Pulver plunked down his black Amex and added another $5,000 to the tab (thanks, Jeff!).
We were also excited to learn midPhase was providing limo shuttles to take guests home in style (thanks, midPhase!). Now, the limo situation was a little confusing. You had to sign up in advance and ride with the limo designated to your neighborhood. But, there were more limos than people needing rides, so the schedule was thrown off.
Lesson one: There is such a thing as too many limos.
Instead, the limos just waited until enough people filled them up, and then dropped everyone off. In the middle of the limo disorganization, someone drove off in one of the limos. Stolen limo! Here's the thing - there were 6 people in it! So is that kidnapping? Or were they in on the scheme? We couldn’t get the full story on what happened, so if you know, fill us in!
Despite the limo problems, Chicagoist still got a ride home with one, which leads us to lesson two: Do not ride in a limo with Ron May. This is the guy behind the tech newsletter, the May Report. He jumps on you for your business card and then proceeds to record every word you say into his tape recorder. His social skills need serious work.
If you didn’t make it to the event, you can still take advantage of midPhase’s offer for one year of free Web hosting by signing up with the coupon code “limo.” Almost makes our ride with May worth it.