unGEEKing it!

What’s more fun than a barrel of monkey’s? A room full of geeks talking about how to use and get the most out of social networking, that’s what. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend all three days of the unGEEKED elite Retreat in Milwaukee on May 13th-15th, 2010 at the University Club of Milwaukee. The retreat was put on by incomparable CD Vann (@thatwoman_is) and the fine folks at ungeekedelite.com.

All I can say is what a blast! Speaking at the event were some of the best and brightest minds in all of social media, so it’s now wonder the retreat is touted as the SXSW of the Midwest. We heard from the likes of: Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan), Jason Falls (@jasonfalls), Sally Hogshead (@sallyhogshead), Joe Sorge (of @AJBombers, fame) and tons of other folks, the presentations were great, and there were opportunities a plenty to get your geek on and hang out people from all over Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and even as far away as Canada who were as excited abut social networking as you were.


The best feature of all though I think were the 20-on-1 sessions with some of the presenters. These sessions were small and intimate enough that you could interact on a whole different level with someone like Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) or Sally Hogshead. This was your chance to ask them your questions and get their advice on just about anything related to social networking.

Jason Falls described the 2010 unGeeked elite retreat as “the under-the-radar” hit of the year, and he was right. The breadth of talent at this years retreat both speakers and attendees was definitely something to behold. And if you didn’t get enough during the day, the after parties were stacked as well.

The food, as stellar as it was, was only eclipsed by the goings-on in the various venues for the parties. Every nook and cranny you looked in there were people huddled together getting social, laughing or swapping stories and jokes. Old friends just chatting, new friends just starting out, and everything in between. There was even a team-based Twitter event where you had the chance to win an iPad.

Early bird registrations for the May 2011 unGEEKED elite Retreat are on sale now. I’d hurry as they’re going fast and seats are limited. Definitely bring along your smartphone, laptop, and a real thirst for knowledge and a hunger for expertise because you’re sure to get what you pay for whether you attend one, two or all three days of this event. Yes, unGeeked is definitely more than the SXSW of the Midwest, metal heads have their “Monsters of Rock” concerts, well unGeeked is the “Monsters of Social Media” only their weren’t tour t-shirts available at the venue. Who knows, maybe next year.

From One Geeks Adventure In Life and Social Computing dated: 7/22/10 by Jeffrey G. Allen

4:34 pm | by Cd Vann