People are getting together in new ways, exchanging, learning but also building up their personal brands. It’s over for old-school networking events where booze and business cards are the name of the game. From tweetmeets to TEDx talks, young professionals are interacting in more meaningful ways that blur the line between online and off. With Ignite coming up Oct 13 (see below), BK takes a look at the events, talks and gatherings that are redefining networking in our city.

IGNITE

What is it: 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide, and a speaker talking over (and about) them, for a total of five minutes. That’s the basic format of Ignite (similar to Pecha Kucha, which disappeared from the Bangkok scene a couple years ago, only it was 20 seconds per slide). First held in 2006 in Seattle, Ignite has been organized in more than 50 countries around the world. Two Ignite events in Bangkok and one Ignite in Chiang Mai have already happened thanks to the efforts of Poramate Minsiri, founder and owner of Kapook.com (see interview, this page), and his team. Topics are varied, from people’s school theses to personal poetry. Attendance is free.
Good for: Young creative people, first jobbers, students and those who are looking for new inspirations to break out from the same old daily grind.
Who are you going to meet? People in advertising agencies and media companies, trend researchers and a lot of dek naew.
How to leverage yourself: Send your topic and some details of what you would like to speak about to webmaster@ignite.in.th. Working within such a super tight timeframe, you’re going to have be informative and straight to the point.
The pay-off: An idea, a contact, and your twitter handle on their website.
When and where? The next Ignite will be held at Chulalongkorn University Auditorium on Oct 13. Expect to see highlighted Igniters like Pramuan Pengchan, a former university professor who walked from Chiang Mai to Samui to observe his inner soul; Dtac Vice-President Thana Tianatchariya who was behind the success of Happy by Dtac; a famous Econoics columnist Sorakol Adulyanont aka Noom Muang Chan and a writer Panumas Thongthanakul aka Baipad. Register and find more updates at www.ignite.in.th.

TEDX

What is it: A TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) event is a conference featuring a series of mini-lectures. Again, people are encouraged to keep it short, ideally no more than 18 minutes, and use plenty of visuals, although the slideshow isn’t automated like Ignite or Pecha Kucha. Founded in the USA in 1984, attending the original is outrageously expensive (US$6,000) and being a speaker is near-impossible if you don’t have some world-class achievements to discuss. That’s where TEDx comes in Independently organized, these mini-TEDs allow us mortals to partake at a local level in a TED-like experience and hear speakers ranging from NGO workers to successful businessmen.
Good for: Social entrepreneurs, bright scientists and creative inventors.
Who are you going to meet? Entrepreneurs and NGO workers trying to pitch their ideas or organizations as something really different. In attendance is a wide range of people but this is probably the most expat-focused event with most talks in English or with English translators.
How to get on stage? You could email them but they select their own guests.
How to leverage yourself: TEDx talks last a maximum 18 minutes and should use plenty of visuals to keep your audience awake. But you’ll most likely be in the crowd. Leveraging yourself there will probably involve some good old networking with the speakers you like (don’t forget your business cards).
The pay-off: With a pretty elite crowd, a winning presentation could get you the contact of a young CEO.
When and where? The latest TEDxKrungthep was held on Sep 4, so expect the next one in March. Visit http://ow.ly/2GHIO for updates. If you just want some inspiration, you can download TED talks for free at www.ted.com.

BAR CAMP

What is it: An annual event for geeks and gadget fanatics to meet up and talk about everything tech-related, from the latest hardware to the newest blogging trends. Based on the assumption that everybody attending is an expert, participants can get up and give their opinions on any topic they feel like—with no fixed time table. That does mean it can (and often does) last well into the night.
Good for: Tech geeks. Repeat, tech geeks. Be warned they sometimes talk a language normal people don’t understand
Who you are going to meet? Not just gadget geeks from the IT industries but also the tech-savvy from other professions. And they are all experts in their fields.
How to leverage yourself: There are no pre-set topics or time table so if you want to speak about something, just know your stuff and get on your soapbox.
The pay-off: Your smart opinions on topics get you applause and kudos.
When and where? The 4th Bar Camp Bangkok will be held at Sri Pathum University on Oct 23-24. More information at www.barcampbangkok.org. Barcamp Bangkhen is scheduled for Oct 16 at the Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University. More information at www.barcampbangkhen.org. Admission to both events is free.

Web Wednesday

What is it: At first, a group of online marketing and advertising people who would meet up every month and discuss web-related topics. The event has gotten bigger and bigger so that there are now guest speakers going on stage to cover specific topics.
Good for: All the people who don’t understand any of this but want a piece of the action—yes, we mean you, soulless marketing executives, social media PR whores and frantic old-media types.
Who you are going to meet: Web developers and designers to build your new awesome website idea. Or a sucker who will hire you to build her new awesome website idea. Take the money and run!
How to leverage yourself: Don’t just talk to your web buddies. The money is with the suits hiding in the crowd and they don’t speak CSS and HTML. Use the word “monetize” or “paid revenue” whenever attention starts flagging.
The pay-off: A new job or hire, a good rolodex of freelancers for your online projects, business ideas, or just a bunch of stuff you can repeat at meetings to sound really informed on the rise of “3.0 social gaming interactions with mobile application localization.”
When and where? Go to www.facebook.com/webwedth for updates.

Twitter and Tweetmeets

What is it: Twitter is a social media tool that allows you to shout out short (140 characters) messages to your followers and read the messages of those you follow. But you already knew that. From a career perspective, it’s also raised previously obscure people to the rank of mini-celebrities. (It used to be you had to actually publish a book or something to get that kind of status.) In marketing and media circles, Twitter cred is becoming a real asset to getting a job—and it’s fast extending to other professions.
Good for: Everyone. Anyone from a photographer to a musician can gain benefits from having a strong following.
Who you are going to meet: Celebrities, reporters, marketing execs, ad execs and a lot of wannabes.
How to leverage yourself: Tweet, retweet and reply tweet as often as you could on a very specific topic that you can stake out as your own. (Social media is taken. So is Bangkok: @bkmagazine.)
The pay-off: You become an authority. If you have a question you’ll get instant answers from groupies desperate to get retweeted by your serene highness. And you could also shamelessly advertise that you’re looking for a new job. Just make sure your current boss isn’t a follower.
When and where? Everyday, 24/7, on www.twitter.com. Twitter can also lead to real encounters though, called tweetmeets. You’ll hear about ones likely to interest you from the people you follow.

Ploy Saeng / Name Card Festival

What is it: Ploy Saeng is a semi-regular TCDC event to support young designers and local manufacturers to present their products to the general public. The Name Card Festival, hosted by tcdcconnect.com, TCDC’s online database of entrepreneurs, is more of a networking event for people in the design industry.
Good for: Aspiring designers or a factory owner looking to revamp her products with some fresh new talent.
Who are you going to meet? Mostly similarly broke people with “great” designs, first-jobbers and students.
How to leverage yourself? Make really good stuff. Very pretty name cards can’t hurt either, particularly at the Name Card Festival. And do us a favor, no more designs for stationery or fancy phone cases.
The pay-off: Top-selling entrepreneurs will get press coverage in TCDC publications, and that could mean more jobs in the future.
When and where: Visit www.tcdc.or.th and
www.tcdcconnect.com for updates of upcoming events.

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