“I’m going to have a tequila shot with some of my new friends,” said Juliette Powell, media entreprenuer and author of the book 33 Million People in the Room: How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking. Last night, she was mingling—in person—at M1-5 Lounge, a dimly lit bar just below Canal Street at the relaunch of Girls in Tech, a New York City chapter of the nationwide organization dedicating to connecting and empowering women in the technology business.
The Observer caught up with Ms. Powell at the bar, where she didn’t have a drink in her hand—yet. Ms. Powell said she had never actually heard of Girls in Tech until a board member invited her to make a brief speech and sign her book at the event. “And that’s sad because I’m in tech and I happen to be female,” Ms. Powell deadpanned to The Observer, her curly brown tendrels pulled into a ponytail, and tucked under a plucky newsboy cap.
“What I like about it here, though, is that the guys are welcome,” she said, nodding at a gentleman chatting up two ladies nearby. “Some dates are already being arranged,” she said.
During her brief speech on stage, Ms. Powell noted that events like these social networking mixers are exactly what downbeat New Yorkers need—and not just because of the booze. “As markets decline, invest in your relationships,” she said. “So many of us can meet face to face and then connect online later,” she added. “There is so much talent in the room. Take advantage of it.”
More than 150 gals and guys from New York’s tech scene attended the party, which featured swag bags, raffles for a laptop bag and $100 driving credit from Mint Cars on Demand. There was also artichoke dip!
Girls in Tech’s New York chapter officially launched last fall, but has remained nascent for the past few months. Amy Cham, the chapter’s new managing director, announced that the organization is planning a new program of activities, including a summer dinner cruise, a money smarts seminar, volunteer programs with non-profits and mentorship opportunities through the upcoming Girls in Tech University initiative. Ms. Cham and Janine Just, Girls in Tech’s events director, toasted with champagne as they welcomed the crowd and announced that they were still searching for more board members, which also includes Tommy Jenkins, the organization’s manager of business development and strategic partnerships.
Ms. Powell, who is also the founder of her own media production and development company Powell International Entertainment, Inc., added that attending Girls in Tech-type events will build stronger connections than just clicking around on LinkedIn or Facebook alone. “Organizations like these essentially validate people so you know they are valuable to you and not just trying to collect friends or throw sheep at you because they have nothing else to do,” Ms. Powell told The Observer, referring to Facebook’s SuperPoke application.
But for those who meet Ms. Powell in the flesh, don’t bother asking for a business card. You can find her online. “I’m there, I’m yours, I want to have a conversation with you,” she said on stage at the event.
Later, she told The Observer, “It feels so good not to have to carry around business cards at these things!” before excusing herself to sign some books.
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