I have been so neglecting this blog. This Startup Weekend thing has been consuming my otherwise blogging time. Not that I’m complaining. Because I’m having a blast. We’ve got 110 people registered. 30 tickets left. Register now before we sell out. If you miss out, I think you’ll be seriously bummed after you hear how awesome it was.

Best kept secret in the Columbus blogosphere. Not. But now it’s official. Startup Weekend will be coming to Columbus this July 18 – 20. And it will be held at the awesome TechColumbus facility. I was there last Thursday with the other local organizers. And the place is killer. Columbus should be proud to have TechColumbus, and I know that the participants will be equally impressed.

To reserve your spot, please visit the Startup Weekend registration page. I’ve already heard from a few folks that they will be attending. Judging from the folks already registered, we’ve got the makings for a great Startup Weekend.

As I mentioned above, I’m involved on the local level in helping to bring Startup Weekend to Columbus. I’d like to take the time to thank and acknowledge the others that are working to make this one of the best Startup Weekends yet.

First and foremost, there is Mr. Rockson, Rocky VanBrimmer. Rocky was actually the person responsible for getting Columbus on the City Vote page. He got the vote up to the 30′s when an unfortunate technical glitch dropped us back down to zero. After our vote was reset, I came in at vote number 10 and blogged about it here and made a mention in Columbus Underground. We got some votes and pushed Columbus to the third spot. But what really pushed us over the top, was Rocky’s relentless campaigning with his AMAZING list of contacts. Notably, he tapped The Central Ohio Network, a LinkedIn group managed by Rocky.

Then there’s The Columbus Beer Wench, Ashley Routson. For a person whose just starting her career, Ashley is incredibly connected and has amazing energy. Look for her to play “emcee” at the Startup Weekend and to also recommend you a beer. But also look for her profile on the Columbus scene to skyrocket.

Also part of the team is WOSU Station Manager Tim Eby. Tim sees a lot of potential with Startup Weekend in Columbus, especially with the community that it can build/strengthen. In fact, Tim is very interested in the social aspect of new media and what it can do for Columbus. In Tim’s LinkedIn profile, he states “I’m very enthusiastic about how social media/software and Public Radio/TV/Media can play a role in making our community, region, nation and world a better place.”

Representing TechColumbus is Startup Specialist Chris Anderson. Chris is simply awesome. He was able to secure the facilities of TechColumbus for Startup Weekend. And he is simply enthusiastic about helping start ups succeed in Columbus, as is all of the TechColumbus people that I have met.

Jamie Chabra from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce is also involved. Now that we’ve secured the location, Jamie will help to spread the word and bring local sponsorship. We are lucky to have the backing of the Chamber in this event.

All of us in the group are now working to bring in sponsorship and to plan the events of the day. So if you know of anyone interested in being a sponsor to this important event, please contact me at the270@gmail.com or call me at 614-602-4665.

Ugh. It’s been a while since my last post. Sorry, life interrupted. So forgive the hodgepodge, but here goes:

I managed to put up two new aerial golf course maps: Cooks Creek Golf Club and Longaberger Golf Club.

Lookie here. Cincinnati wants streetcars too.

Speaking of Cincinnati a/k/a Cinci, a/k/a the ‘Nati, a/k/a the Queen City (sheesh, sounds like they have a bit of an identity and/or branding crisis), they have responded to my Startup Weekend post and are trying to match us vote for vote. But those punks can’t match C-Bus! As of this writing, we’re ahead of them by 50 votes (204 vs 154). Thanks Columbus for voting.

So I e-mailed Ben Marrison, Joe Blundo and Tim May the link to my Dispatch Twitter post. I know that one of them read it. But they did not deem me worthy to respond. Bastards!

Note to Dispatch. Promote your Twitter account on your website and you may get more than 18 followers. Do I have to tell you everything?

Speaking of the Dispatch. You know they have some blogs. But they tend to only link to other media types. Why not send out some link love to the finer Columbus based blogs. Or are they just stuck up?

I’m giddy because it’s late.

If you haven’t already done so, register for PodCampOhio. I hear they invited iJustine.

Of course, I have no idea if she’s coming.

Watch out Columbus, Cincinnati has their own the270 like campaign to get a Startup Weekend. As of 11:35 am on 3/19/08, Columbus has 123 votes, Indianapolis has 87 votes and Cincinnati has 80 votes. Suffice it to say, if you haven’t voted for Columbus yet, then by all means vote!

UPDATE: @ 1:57 – Columbus is at 126 votes and Indy and Cincy are tied with 87.