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Photo Events at Digital Capital Week

We received some exciting news this week.  Peter Corbett and the guys over at iStrategyLabs and ShinyHeart Ventures along with various offices of the Washington DC government are coordinating the upcoming Digital Capital Week.  DCWEEK is a 10 day festival (June 11-20) in Washington DC focused on technology, innovation and all things digital in our nation’s capital.

It only made sense to include some photography focused events.  Plans are still in the works but we are hosting at least two events.  First, Katie Harbath will be organizing a Facebook Avatar Party at the kickoff party.  Second, I’m hosting at least one DC photowalk during the week though I may try to fit in another if there is interest.

More info to come as it is available but mark your calendars now to keep those days open.

Live Photoblogging GrowSmartBiz – Afternoon Session

Good lunch, good conversations.  Time to get back to it…

Media/Bloggers tables

Anthony Pappas:  Brand Building 101

Bloggers Blogging

Rieva Lesonsky:  Becoming an Entrepreneurial Leader

(cc) GrowSmartBiz Small Business Conference Sept 29 2009 pictures courtesy Marc Benton and the Social media team at www.networksolutions.com Please credit as above if you use these pictures.

Live Photoblogging GrowSmartBiz – Morning Session

I’ll be posting photos of the event throughout the day here. Reload for updates or watch for update announcements on Twitter @marcbenton.  Network connection here is iffy so it may take some time to post. Marc…

Panel #2 – Raising Capital with Effective Finance Strategies

Shannon Nash, Denise O’Berry, Edward Tuvin, Jeremy Brown, Kristina Bouweiri (moderator)

Randy Windsor, Network Solutions SEO/SEM

Panel #1 – Driving Small Business Performance with Marketing and Innovation

Bob London, Ramon Ray, Marissa Levin, John Arnold, Steve King (moderator)

A full house

Rohit Bhargava

Senator Mark Warner and @shashib

Senator Mark Warner and Roy Dunbar

Senator Mark Warner

Roy Dunbar and Chris  Anderson

Chris Anderson

Alex Orfinger of Network Solutions, our emcee.

Opening remarks by Roy Dunbar of Network Solutions.

Network Solutions’ Shashi Bellakomda doing what he does best…networking.

Blogger Jill Foster (@jillfoster)

The talented AV team running through their preps

Attendees enjoying the buffet breakfast

Held at the Washington DC Renaissance Hotel

GrowSmartBiz Conference, September 29th, 2009

Tags: conference, GrowSmartBiz, Network Solutions

techARTS – Uniting the Creative and Technology Communities

Building upon their success with the Twin Tech events, iStrategyLabs is launching a new initiative – techARTS.  This event is designed to bring together the areas tech and creative communities.

The first techARTS is scheduled for Halloween, October 31st, at a yet to be disclosed location.  What we do know is that the location is huge and will be a combination of indoor and outdoor venues.  There are plans to display works and create interactive displays from various tech and artistic domains.

“techARTS is going let us scratch our creative itch a bit more. It will focus on merging Creative and Technology communities – helping them come together in mass to meet, find collaborators and show off their skills…If you push pixels, sling code, trickle paint, create content or belt out beats this is for you. Okay even if you don’t do that stuff – and you’re kinda awesome this is where you want to be.”

“We believe that a designer + a developer can = a startup. We’re going to use this techARTS Halloween party to see what kind of offspring the geeks and creatives can produce.”

When I first heard of this effort I immediately reached out to Peter Corbett to see if he wanted some photography support.  My initial plans were to only photograph the event but after our first planning meeting my input has expanded.  We’re discussing a photography display of images from local photographers, possibly  based on a theme.  We’re also planning on building a photo booth for the event.

Now comes the part where you come in.  If you want to attend, and you know you do, the registration page can be found here.  If you would like to assist me with the photography domain then contact me directly or leave a comment on this post.  Peter is looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of the event, if you or your organization would like to participate as a sponsor please contact him.  Lastly, you can participate in the TechArts awards by going to techAWARDS and/or artsAWARDS and nominating and voting for your favorite person or organization in each category.

The images in this post were from our first planning meeting held at the iStrategyLabs offices in Dupont Circle.

Tags: artists, artsawards, creative, designers, iStrategyLabs, techARTS, techawards, technologists, technology

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

Dozens of balloons were released last Friday over Heritage Port in Wheeling, WV in remembrance of murder victims, each carrying a powerful message: Don’t ever forget.

Friday was the third annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Each year, the nation’s capital hosts a candlelight vigil in observance of that day – but after Congress made that designation, Sharon Parker, victim/witness coordinator for the office of Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith, decided to bring the event closer to home.

For each of the past three years, the Ohio County Prosecutor’s office has teamed up with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of West Virginia to host a local event in conjunction with the national one. In addition to a candlelight vigil, family members of murder victims release balloons bearing messages to their loved ones into the evening sky.

Tags: balloons, National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, rememberance, west virginia, wheeling