I have a confession to make…I tend to be cliquish. It’s not intentional but I like the comfort and familiarity of people I know and love. However, I am a social creature and I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. This amongst many other reasons is why the @JamaicaPegasus Tweetup matters.

For the purpose of this post I will break it down the relevance of the Tweetup Series into categories: Networking, Advertising and Putting the “Social” in Social Media.

1. Networking

Whether you are a student, an entrepreneur or work in corporate Jamaica – networking is an important activity. You don’t need a fancy business card or title but a personality and a well put together appearance does help. The Tweetup in the perfect venue for networking – the atmosphere is relaxed, the company is mixed, there is no pressure to impress and you know the guests have been vetted. Twitter is a microcosm of life: all interests and creeds will inevitably be represented.

I would like to think there are 3 types of Twitter users:

• people who provide content/news/links
• people who are conversationalists/commentators
• people who do an equal mix of the above

Unless you have absolutely no talent for conversation it is impossible to be bored or not connect with anyone at the Tweetup. If you like sports, there will be a hardcore sports tweeter – this applies to areas ranging from current events, culture, art, photography, and technology and so on. How can you have time to be bored?

2. Advertising

The beauty about events with tasteful decor, low lighting, music, food and alcohol is that it encourages conversation and a little debauchery. What I loved about the venue created by @JamaicaPegasus was how well the space was utilized. The decor style was minimalistic, the red and white theme was well-played and not overwhelming, and the lighting was not harsh on the eyes and encouraged you to kick off your shoes and dance.

Each Tweetup at the @JamaicaPegasus showcases a new venue – the first Tweetup in June 2010 was at the “Talk of the Town” and being the first was the smallest in size so far, with approximately 125 attendees. The second Tweetup in September 2010 featured the “Gardens at the Pegasus” and had approximately 350 attendees. Each of the two venues were decorated in ways that played up the utility and beauty of the space and this is where @JamaicaPegasus gains the most points for the Tweetup series.

For me the details matter: knowing that the team carefully thought out things like women walking on surfaces in heels, seating for the weary, drinks like the “Tweetini”, and featuring staples from the @JamaicaPegasus menu like the beef brisket makes a difference! Another element that most patrons never consider is the hospitality of wait staff and servers. I am happy to say that I have never had an unsatisfactory dining experience as a @JamaicaPegasus guest. Friendliness of staff and having my order served as ordered plays a part in where I chose to spend money and this is why I continue to return to @JamaicaPegasus as a patron.

Aside from self-promotion as a complete entertainment venue, the Tweetup series showcases the partners and sponsors of the @JamaicaPegasus. At the first Tweetup, @GordonSwaby and I both won a plane ticket to London courtesy of @BritishAirways as the gate prize. At the second Tweetup the prizes were more varied and dispensed throughout the night: people were asked questions and encouraged to tweet on the spot for prizes like mobile phones and gift certificates. I also won a private screening from @PalaceMovies at the private screening room at the Palace Amusement headquarters.

These are the things that people remember from events, and encourage entities to partner with @JamaicaPegasus in the future. It is nice to see the presence of local companies that have a Twitter presence representing their brand at the Tweetup. It introduces you to brands like Chocolate Dreams who were stationed at the entrance of the most recent Tweetup offering up chocolate covered treats like fruits and marshmallows.

“Mmmm, chocolate.” Photo credit: Joel Finnigen Photography

3. Putting the “Social” in Social Media

I love meeting new people at the Tweetup series, my usual company consists of @BiancaWelds and @utenjm and upon arriving we vowed that instead of last September when we stayed in one spot and spent the night eating, dancing and laughing with @drmunroe – we would socialise! I think we pulled it off this time; we moved around the room and pulled various people into our little circle, taking turns introducing each other to Tweeps we knew or had just met. I have a penchant for taking photos of name tags so let me share who I socialised with at the most recent Tweetup via this medium:

I met this handsome blue fellow who introduced himself as the official drink of the Tweetup, however he was not wearing a nametag so I didn’t get his name. I also met his identical twin before I was rudely separated from them when I reached my two-drink limit.

The first new Tweep I met, who eventually spent most of the night with my little group was @JermaineUTwit. I had recognised the name from Twitter because the name is so amusing.

Then came pretty lady @MarciaForbes who was joint winner of my “Sexiest Classy Lady” award for the night. Did you see her? The hair! The outfit! If you don’t follow her you should, she is a wealth of knowledge and someone I respect greatly.

It’s hard to believe I only met @drmunroe at the September 2010 Tweetup – he has quickly become a part of my social circle – which proves that Twitter is a powerful social connector.

Poor @franarexic was briefly drawn into our circle by @utenjm, I suspect he had a plan to make off with this lovely lady which was thwarted when she made her escape to continue socialising. I’m pretty sure she didn’t quite understand WHY I was taking a photo of her name tag, but she played along and for that I thank her.

I first met @WayneJonesjr at the second Tweetup, which was also his birthday and have since kept in touch. He has great Twitter content: a mix of technology, entertainment, current affairs and humour. A great Tweep to follow!

Sorry for the glare of the flash, but even my camera was as excited to see @Daniaier as I was!

The best thing about the Tweetup is seeing familiar faces like @ForresterOD

The other joint winner of my “Sexiest Classy Lady” award Miss @Kimzylou herself!

Her classy lady title was almost in jeopardy due to this scandalous moment captured on camera, reminding you that the cameras are always watching at any Tweetup!

Photo credit: Joel Finnigen Photography

Post Script

When the Tweetup ended somewhere around midnight, we made our way downstairs to the 24/Seven Café for our post-tweetup tradition of milkshakes. We were joined by new comers @renz_ash and @scsquared and did not part ways until sometime after 3:30am. Stories, laughter, advice and feedback on the @JamaicaPegasus Tweetup were traded. And somewhere between @BiancaWelds pantomiming stories barefoot, @renz_ash dispensing hand sanitizer to all who asked and @utenjm falling asleep at the table but still participating in the conversation – a bond was formed. This is what the @JamaicaPegasus Tweetup is about because without local companies and groups taking an interest in useful media like Twitter, connections are not made and reinforced. This is the power of Twitter: putting the Social in Social Media. I have met amazing people through Twitter, kept in touch with old friends and shared messages that are important to me and others. I’m looking forward to the next Tweetup – and looking forward to connecting with other great Tweeps.

If you want more information or to give me feedback on this piece feel free to e-mail me at: allisoncharmaine@gmail.com and until next time, Walk Good!

Allison Charmaine is a part-time blogger with a background in Public Relations that currently freelances and specialises in Communications, Virtual Personal Assistant, Writing and Facilitating.