Startup Weekend Columbus was a blast

And now back to my rabble rouser self.

We invited the Mayor and City Counsel to just pop on in to Startup Weekend so that they can see firsthand the grassroots entrepreneurial energy and excitement that we’re building in Columbus. But we didn’t hear back from them. Nor did they show up.

I consider it a blown opportunity for them. Aren’t they the ones promoting and pushing the 315 Research + Technology Corridor in Columbus. What a better way to validate what they are promoting. Oh well. Their loss.

And how can they make it up to me? And yes, it’s all about me ;-p. Well, they can talk to some of the Startup Weekend Columbus participants by going to the next Startup Drinks, which is 8/6 at the Elevator.

There. That should about meet this month’s quota of bridge burning. But in all seriousness, I was disappointed that none of them made an effort to see what was happening. I still like them and hope they do come out to Startup Drinks.

Cheers all!

UPDATE: A fair and valid response from someone connected to the Mayor:

I don’t mind you stirring things up, but making it sound like we blew you off when we didn’t get a proper, timely invite is a tad insulting to all the hard work the Mayor and our team are doing to build up Columbus with folks like you.  We don’t mind valid criticism on issues, but I’m disappointed in this post.  I wish it was as easy as you make it seem to drop everything and go to a cool event.

Very sorry to insult. Again, that wasn’t my intent. It did sound like it though. One of these days, I’m going to have to write a post explaining to folks that this is my blog where I express opinions rightly or wrongly. I do try to do so to stir things up to somehow make Columbus a better place to live. As for those affected by collateral damage in my ramblings, please leave a comment and lets discuss. Hope I didn’t burn too many bridges. :)

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  • wyliemac
    Just to clear things up. I'm a fan too. Don't let my ramblings fool you.
  • jodyNcolumbus
    Mayor Coleman - I am a huge fan (plus a huge fan of Wyliemac and Rockson). I am VERY excited about the 2012 initiatives and I feel confident that the tech community will find a way to be involved in the 2012 celebration. http://columbus.gov/columbus2012/ (Even if our feelings are a little hurt that there was no big brass at our SWC).
  • jodyNcolumbus
    Mayor Coleman - I am a huge fan (plus a huge fan of Wyliemac and Rockson). I am VERY excited about the 2012 initiatives and I feel confident that the tech community will find a way to be involved in the 2012 celebration. http://columbus.gov/columbus2012/ (Even if our feelings are a little hurt that there was no big brass at our SWC).
  • Rocky
    Once again what was the mayors office expecting a golden personally delivered invite? When emails were sent out there were addressed to all, which did include the mayors contact! He knew about every planning meeting and the discussions we were having from the begining. On top of that, I NEVER saw one email from the mayors office asking what they could do to "help," or any email expressing any interest in attending. We were blown off by the mayors office. By the way, glad to know you think what we had was just a "cool event" and not a way to put Columbus on the map. Mr. Mayor, you lost a BIG opportunity to make Columbus shine. If anything is insulting is your response and placing the failure on the organizer of SWC.
  • wyliemac
    One way or another, I'm going to get our polititians to publicly discourse with us. And that is a good thing. Even if they don't think so.
  • wyliemac
    True that Rocky. True that. But I'm playing nice now. Mike correctly pointed out that the Mayor's office would do anything to help, but wanted us to tell them what to do. He set that expectation up early. But I forgot, and in my political naivety (I suppose), I assumed that including them in on ALL of the organizational e-mails that they would naturally want to be involved. Especially since Startup Weekend fit nicely in the city's 315 Tech Corridor promotions. I did send them an "invite" at the last minute, but given our previous cc's I didn't think that showing up "last" minute would not be a problem. Thanks for joining the conversation. Now I wonder if the city will join in publicly (another call out). ;-p
  • Rocky
    Alvin I would buy some of this from the Mayors, however they were included from the get go on SWC. They had plenty of opportunity to show up with out us laying out a golden personally delivered invitation. It was my understanding as a organizer the reason the mayors office was included so he would make an appearance.
  • wyliemac
    Love having conversations with myself.
  • wyliemac
    But wouldn't it be cool if the Mayor could drop everything to attend a cool event?
  • wyliemac
    Mike responded. Then I sent a response. Hope that someone comes out to see what's brewing.
  • wyliemac
    Just sent Mike Brown an e-mail message to see if the Mayor or City Counsel is interested in coming. Also provided a link to this post.
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