Does Wolverhampton need a Social Media Cafe?
I have just returned from my second visit to Birmingham's Social Media Cafe, and once again I got to meet a bunch of interesting people from a host of different backgrounds; people I wouldn't usually get to meet in the closed world of academia. However, whilst I enjoy Birmingham's Social Media Cafe, I can't help but wish there was a Wolverhampton equivalent. It's great talking to Birmingham people, but I would also welcome the opportunity to meet some more local people.
With a population of 250,000 Wolverhampton seems likely to be very capable of sustaining its own social media cafe, however I have no idea whether anyone else in the area would be interested in attending/organising such a group. So the question is, is anyone interested in a Wolverhampton Social Media Cafe? In the words of BSMC
"a place for people interested in social media to gather, get acquainted, chat, plot, scheme, and share."
..but this time in Wolverhampton.
Labels: Birmingham Social Media Cafe, Wolverhampton Social Media Cafe
16 Comments:
Yes.
:)
I'd certainly be interested in that and I know of one or two others who would too.
27 February 2009 at 14:26
Hi David,
I write for the Express & Star and think that your comment might make an interesting article in the paper.
Who knows, this might be the first stage in starting up such a cafe in W'ton?
Contact me via Twitter at http://twitter.com/christoff3000 if you're interested.
27 February 2009 at 16:33
I'd be there.
I've been thinking of starting a Wolves blog meet or social media group for some time. However, people interested in digital social media in the black country are far and between.
28 February 2009 at 09:28
I think the idea of a Wolves / Black Country social media cafe is an excellent idea.
Judging by the swift debate this Tweet and blog has started there's clearly a thirst for the subject and an enthusiasm fo it.
I'd be tempted to throw the invitation wider than Wolverhampton. Yes, by all means hold it there but I think there's a suprising number of people across the Black Country putting their toes into the water.
I'm Quarry Bank and working in Walsall, for example. There's several in Walsall who would be interested.
Name the day, David. Build it and they will come...
Twitter: @danslee
28 February 2009 at 10:50
Im very interested you can hit me up on twitter @PhotosbyLee
28 February 2009 at 11:18
Fantasic.
Isn't this just a really good example of social media working?
Dave posts a cracking idea on his blog and stands back.
@joannagearey pics it up on Twitter and very soon we have two solid ideas for venues in the Black Country (New Art Gallery, Walsall and The Public in West Bromwich) and a lot of interest.
(If you are on Twitter it's being discussed via the hashtag #BlackCountrySMC as well as here.)
What do others think? More interest in it? Good idea to take it on tour around the broader Black Country area?
Would The Public / NAG stump up a room and £200 for the coffee (following the Brum SMC model)?
@danslee
28 February 2009 at 11:31
Yes, I'm interested too - with a wider Black Country angle to meet up, share info and knock ideas around.
28 February 2009 at 11:33
Would a potential solution to the Wolverhampton/West Brom/Walsall dilema be to have a rotating venue?? Or would that become too confusing?
It would give the opportunity to meet those who may be unable to travel around due to work commitments etc...and without becomig too centred on a single town/city
28 February 2009 at 12:17
Rotation gets my vote but not a rotating venue though as I get motion sickness ;)
Also for discussion: when's the best time for the meet daytime or evening?
28 February 2009 at 12:27
I'm certainly up for it! Art Gallery in Walsall would be a great venue but anywhere else in Black Country would be a huge boost locally.
Twitter: @marcolonghi
28 February 2009 at 12:28
@Matt Johnson Daytime may be easier if we are trying to get people from all over the Black Country, but then if there is a lot of people who can't make it we could try rotating daytime and evenings
28 February 2009 at 12:42
how about kick off meetings, at each of wolves uni campuses in wolves, walsall and telford. Lots of space. Then could decide on venues and organisers etc.
28 February 2009 at 13:07
I'd definitely be interested as I live between Wolverhampton and Bham, so it would be ideal
28 February 2009 at 13:46
@rob benson ...I think just the one kick-off meeting to start, let's not get too carried away.
But yes, we should have a small informal gathering of those who want to have an input in the direction the Black Country Social Media Cafe takes (e.g., venues, times, sponsors, etc.) so we can then promote the idea better to others.
28 February 2009 at 15:21
Hi
I would be very interested. I am regular at Birmingham SMC and have also been to Manchester SMC but Wolverhampton is closer to home and also where my office is, at Woverhampton Science Park
Phil Oakley
@philoakley on twitter
28 February 2009 at 15:40
Ok...making progress.
Currently setting up a small real-world meeting about the direction of the group.
If you want to have an input at this early stage, then email me at dp_stuart@hotmail.com and I will send you details.
Attempts have been made to contact everyone who has already shown an interest...Facebook, email, twitter...I remember when you used to just pick up the phone.
1 March 2009 at 16:03
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home