SMS Text News Unlimited Drinks -- update

I’ve had a ton of invitation requests for the upcoming Unlimited Drinks meeting which is very exciting.

I’ve put all the emails in their own folder so if you’ve emailed, you’re on the list and you’re coming.

I’m still planning the mechanics of it. In particular, there have been a lot of requests confirming — nay, demanding — the presence of cheese & pineapple chunks on sticks, sausage rolls and warm mini sausages on sticks. Definitely. You can’t have a meetup / networking event without those.

I’m planning it for some time in August. If you’d like to be invited, you’re in, as long as you work in or around the mobile industry AND you have a personality — just email me with the subject ‘UNLIMITED DRINKS = YES’ so I can stick your mail into the right folder.

It’s going to be expensive so your support is strongly appreciated.

More features of the SMS Text News Unlimited Drinks evening:

– No noise

We’re not at home to loud music. I need to be able to hear SMSers when they’re slating Vodafone or complimenting LG’s new 3G Shine.

– No sweat

I’m hunting for a venue that can turn it’s air conditioning up to 11. There’s nothing worse than sweating profusely over a poor guy from o2 trying to explain their half-arsed mobile data policy.

– Unlimited drinks

I don’t think you should have to arse about with money, pockets and credit cards at a networking event. Screw that. If you want a Budweiser or a Corona, just get one for free at the bar. The ‘one drink per person’ was just me messing around. I really still like the idea of saying there’s a fair use policy as it tickles me no end. However, I’m seeing how I can work out a proper cashless system (i.e. assigning one of my credit cards to the bar tab).

– No waiting at the bar

I think you should be served within 30 seconds of walking up to the bar. Hanging around staring at the wall for 10 minutes whilst the barman sods about throwing bottles around to impress the fit girl at the end of the bar doesn’t work for me. Since you won’t have to pay the barmen should be relegated to simply fetching and pouring stuff = quick.

– Space

It’s a total arse when you can’t move and you’re trapped next to some sap from Vodafone explaining that he does nothing at Vodafone and has no influence and, worse, no interest in mobile whatsoever. So plenty of space, chairs and sofas.

– Clearly marked, decent venue

We’ll get a huge SMS Text News poster and stick it in a prominent place so that if you’re coming along to the event, you know exactly where it is. I like to know I’m in the right place.

– A good welcome

I’ll be on the front door welcoming you in, together with the rest of the team – Alex, Ben, Ben and Krystal. (Although Krystal is in Canada, so, that might be a big ask). I don’t like turning up to things and not really knowing

– Badges

I’m going hot and cold on badges. One reader commented that badges are always a useful talking point, especially when stuck one’s forehead or crotch.

– A Networking System

One of my companies owns and operates an online networking system for conferences and events. The idea being that the day after the event, you get an email with details enabling you to login to a private area on SMS Text News to browse and contact the list of attendees. This negates the need to arse about with business cards — or — if you saw the guy from 3UK but didn’t manage to chat to him, enables you to drop him a note about a coffee the next day. We’ll make sure we implement this for the Unlimited Drinks.

– Toys to play with – a tech showcase

I do like playing with technology, especially new stuff. I think it would be rather cool to have some toys or services, supervised by their respective PR handlers, on tables around the venue, that can be picked up and played with.

– Sponsors

I think it would be good to have some mobile industry companies represented at the event. There’s a heck of a lot of good companies out there doing brilliant work and providing really innovative services. I’d like to try and see if I could get some companies to come along, take a table and show off their wares. It would be even better if the sponsors also gave away free gizmos or maybe a little draw to win a handset or something. I’m going to think about that. I don’t think it would be inappropriate — if anything, I’d expect sponsors to garner substantial kudos off the back of unlimited drinks and sausages on sticks.

– Central location

I don’t really want the venue to be anywhere difficult to get to. I get a nosebleed if I go out of London’s zone 1 😉 so I am looking at central — Soho or the like.

– No speeches

I’m going hot and cold on this one too. I think it might be nice to be exposed to a few quick presentations but I reckon ‘networking’ — that is, sitting about with a beer in hand talking mobile — might be more effective and easier on the feet.

– A guest list

If you’re name’s not down, you’re not coming in.

I’m hunting for entrepreneurs, developers, analysts, investors and industry exectutives. Whether you’re PR, an accountant or if you’re simply interested in the mobile industry, then you’re invited by default. But do send me an email (detailed above) so I can put you on the list.

Have you got any other configuration suggestions? Post them as a comment here or email me, ewan@smstextnews.com.