It's About That Time

With the warming weather come the notices of all the major networking events in store for the summer. Yes, they can be pricey, particularly the major ones. However it would behoove you to attend at least one of the big industry events. Not only is it a great hobnobbing opportunity, they provide seminars and workshops with industry leaders that you couldn't find anywhere else if you paid in gold for it. It's a wonderful mecca of inspiration to immerse yourself in. So if you can sweet talk your employer into paying for the trip (work related seminar type of thing) it can double as the ultimate Creative's vacation. If you work for yourself it makes for a handy dandy write-off.

The first big one scheduled is HOW magazine's conference in Atlanta, GA in June. Do visit their website for a schedule of events. Do visit their forum, even if you aren't sure if you're attending to meet some of the creatives who will be attending or doing a workshop/seminar. Hobnob, people...hobnob.

For those of you who can't make it to the East Coast, there will be an unofficial get together in Seattle called HOW-About-CL in May. Basically formed by forum regulars who visit the respective HOW, About Graphic Design forum and Creative Latitude members. If you start frequenting those places, chances are you might also be able to gain passage and join the tidy host of industry professionals who will be getting together here as well. Unlike the HOW Conference, the HOW-About-CL is more of an informal social gathering. But hey, any opportunity for spending a good time with industry greats should never be passed by. Plus...well, I shouldn't spill, but designers always love a good time. It's in the genes.

AIGA also has their NEXT Conference lined up in October, which will be held in Denver, CO. They also have other more concentrated networking events lined up in the months ahead. Another interesting notable they're holding will be a conference that is in conjunction with Harvard Business School which targets principals from mid to large creative firms and Senior Designers who work in-house. A very worthwhile event for those who fall under this category.

There are many other local network Events during the summer that are worth the price of admission like the National Stationery Show in New York City this May. Any way you look at it, there is a conference out there to meet the needs of every professional level of designer. Its the ideal means to socialize and network with industry peers, to soak in some creative atmosphere, unwind or just cut loose with forum friends that you're finally able to meet for the first time. I've been told that the workshops, although very good, usually are forgotten when not applied. It helps to take notes, join the forums and ask questions beforehand. If you're allowed to record the session so much the better. It's also recommended to register early as many of the workshops fill up fast and space is limited.

If attending can improve or at least enlighten your personal game it's still a worthwhile step ahead and ultimately a win-win investment. If it's an event that is associated with the industry that can lead to possible business liasons, even better.

Is it May Yet?

It's only "The" place for Design Industry Creatives and all Production Folks therein to be in 2007.

It's not quite the Cannes...although it's receiving much fanfare.

It's not exactly a convention...despite that there will be plenty of good ones scheduled throughout the year.

Not a velvet rope event...although with the list of Creatives attending, you'll feel like a V.I.P.

No newletters or notices were sent...however a special site was created for anyone who's interested in keeping updated or better yet, attending.

No need for tags and cards...well, except perhaps BYOTDA (that's Bring Your Own Theme Designed Accessory)

Not really an event...more like the swingingest graphic industry party you'll ever attend!

It was conceived by some members of the HOW forum, About Graphic Design forum and Creative Latitude. It was a bit too long to call it the HOW, About Graphic Design and Creative Latitude Creative Communications Industry Meet and Greet, so it was decided to name it simply, HOW-About-CL '07. Rolls off the tongue quite nicely and pretty catchy to boot.

Now gather around my design children, to hear the amazing tale of this fantastic event's origins.

It all began long long ago in an exotic land far far away. Our story's design damsel Catherine Morley from Katz-i Design had planned a somewhat spur of the moment trip in 2006 to Seattle to visit relatives. Now, Thailand isn't exactly a hop, skip and a jump away—it wasn't often she could make such a journey.

Who's Catherine Morley, you ask? For those of you who don't know, kindly stick out your hands while I pull out my trusted wooden ruler.

She was a founding member and active participant of such recognized industry organizations as Creative Latitude, NO!SPEC and Designers Who Blog; as well as a celebrated entrepreneur with Katz-i Design. Her portfolio of credentials and influence extends far longer than this, but I think you get the idea. Cat's our Creative Joan of Arc...sans martyrdom...and a right good designer.

Now where was I...? Ah yes.

After the flight plans were arranged she decided to post about her imminent arrival, with the expectation to meet some of the area's forum locals with whom she had grown to know and work with over the years. No one expected the overwhelming response Stateside from people as far as Florida who jumped at the opportunity to meet her in person. In retrospect it surprised everyone and in the blink of an eye...or a day...what started as a call for "maybe lunch" with some local designers turned into a last minute clarion call for a multi-day shindig.

In short, the humble encounter of a dozen or so visual communicators, dubbed "The Seattle Meet Up" was a raging success. So much so that many were left either wanting for more time or remorseful that they didn't attend.

To make a pretty long story short, Cat was unexpectedly presented with another opportunity to return to Seattle in 2007. The immediate flood of responses from hopeful attendees was even more astounding than the first. Before anyone could refresh their pages, names were pouring in as either "definites" or "penciled in." And unlike the last encounter, there was plenty of advance notice to budget for the trip.

Somewhere in the midst of making arrangments, the topic of "theme wear" came up. After all, many were known mainly by their screen names, how would we know who was whom? Rather than do the old "event t-shirt" using one prevailing image we thought outside the proverbial box. I mean, this is a rather casual reunion of Creatives, right? So let them contribute their own unique designs—let them print it on a cap, a mug, a badge, a shoe or what-have-you and attend donning their own signature piece instead. Brilliance.

So, for those of you who are starting to salivate at the second in a lifetime opportunity to hobnob with some of our industry's finest in the relaxed, friendly and picturesque backdrop that is Seattle, here are the details.

Event: HOW-About-CL '07
Location: Seattle
Dates: May 25-28, 2007
Accommodations: Contact via the site for arrangements

Details will be updated through their web site periodically. Banners designed by attendees will also be prominently rotated as well. Travel bar is optional. The promise of a rip-snorting good time is undeniably in the air.

Hey...Is it May Yet?