New Media Think and Drink: Focus on Community

The purpose of the evening is to bring together folks involved with community development to discuss best practices, common pitfalls, emerging tools etc. for using digital and social media to promote their particular cause.  From grassroots campaigns to corporate PR - what really works!  

It is a casual event which will be loosely moderated so that a broad range of topics related to the theme can be discussed.  The hope is that a good amount of cross-pollination between the different round table members and the audience will stimulate new creative ventures in how we are all using media to keep our base informed, inspired and motivated to volunteer.

The round table is comprised of representatives from the Dandelion Communitea Cafe, the Enzian, Central Florida Vegfest, Florida School of Holistic Living, Downtown Media Arts Center as well as a PR guru, a campaign manager and a independent filmmaker to boot.  

The event is open to the public and the goal is to learn from each other, pool our collective wisdom on this important topic and enjoy a little social lubrication thanks to our friendly Cameo bartenders.

Doors open at 7.  Cocktails until 7:45, followed by two 45 minute round table sessions.  The first session will be loosely moderated and the second will be allow for discussion between the audience and the round table members.  After the ‘official’ program is over you can hang around until the clock strikes two and the pedicabs turn into pumpkins.    

The event is taking place Friday October 16th at the Cameo theater next to the Cruises Only building on Colonial drive near the intersection of 17-92 and Colonial Drive  (a block from Dandelion Communitea Cafe).

Who will be there?

Gwendolyn Anello is a co-owner of Anello Consulting out of Merritt Island. She consults several organizations in the areas of communications, market development, community and public affairs, and fundraising.

Chris Blanc is the Marketing Director for the Enzian Theatre and the Florida Film Festival. As if that wasn't enough, he's involved in several other local communities, and had a hand in creating the Dandelion Cafe.

Darren McDaniel is the creator of a feature film (The Essence of Irwin), the founder of a local internet startup (Petentials), former programming director at the Downtown Media Arts Center, and has done PhD-level research Sociology at Vanderbilt.

Julie Norris is the owner of Dandelion CommuniTEA Cafe and the host of Front Porch Radio on WPRK 91.5FM every Wednesday. She's also a new mommy! Congrats!

John Rife was a media missionary in S. Pacific / Asia,  a founding member of Interactive Expeditions (IntXinc.com),  is an independent documentary filmmaker, a video blogger and is currently pursuing an MFA in Digital Media at UCF.

Lance Turner is the founder of the Ourlando movement and the owner of AEonBlue in Winter Park. You'll see Lance at tons of local events snapping pictures or signing up small businesses to bring the local color.