The Internet industry`s networking forum First Tuesday was re-launched as a membership-only "global thought leadership network" at the Sandton Convention Centre last night.
Initiated in SA by Mike Wright, MD of E-mail Corporation, the original First Tuesday South Africa achieved a membership base of over 10 000, with average attendance of over 500 people every month. "It was a place where you could match ideas to money, and have someone else pay for your drinks," says Wright.
Two-and-a-half years later, the "re-strategised, re-energised, rejuvenated" First Tuesday 2.0 has become a members-only organisation with only six events a year and a membership fee of R275.
"The dot-com hype is over and there`s no free beer any more," says Wright. "First Tuesday 2.0 aims to attract the right people from the wider business and technology sector via events that cover innovation and the newest technology.
"We believe that the membership should be of the highest calibre and to achieve this we need to provide world-class value propositions to our member base. This will be achieved through six 'classic First Tuesday` events per year, each focusing on innovation within a chosen industry."
The plan is to turn every event into a hands-on learning workshop, with a keynote address from a leading figure in the industry or a panel discussion of experts. The working part is concluded with an exclusive VIP networking dinner.
First Tuesday should beware of becoming a gathering of groupies.
Wayne Preston<I>,</I> Investec Private Bank
Last night`s launch dinner gathered 100 initial members, overwhelmingly white and male, who engaged in discussing the topic of "Innovation in SA" and bid for First Tuesday membership numbers one to 100. The highest bid was from David Blythe, MD of Tinderbox.
The first reactions to the new First Tuesday concept reflect a strong vote of confidence. Richard Halton, MD of Exordia, says the original First Tuesday had run out of steam and the new concept has a lot of potential.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says: "This works for me in the way that the first version never really did. There`s a vast difference between mingling and networking. The original version was a mingling opportunity. The new concept is a better way of focusing energy and creating networking opportunities."
Wayne Preston of Investec Private Bank says he likes the more structured proceedings of the event. "I like to do something rather than just talk. But First Tuesday should beware of becoming a gathering of groupies. The success will depend on who the speakers are and what issues are featured. "
Eldred Lawrence, technology manager of Pick `n Pay Home Shopping, said he would still like to see some form of gathering of entrepreneurs and investors as the benefit of talking to people with similar ideas was tremendous.
First Tuesday 2.0 will hold its first event at the Sandton Convention Centre on 1 October.
Disclaimer: ITWeb and Brainstorm are media partners for First Tuesday 2.0.
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