An intriguing week closed Sunday, ending what entailed one of the more fascinating four-day periods I’ve enjoyed in some time, certainly since the virus’ onset. Definitely a fascinating sequence of events for an observer of speakers and presenters.
Monday was a series of inspirational speakers at TEDx, Wednesday I partook in a competition roughly comparable to a popular TV show, and Thursday I had the delight and pleasure of enjoying a warm welcome when I returned to a networking gig from which I’d been on hiatus for nine-plus years.
For the second consecutive afternoon/eve, Thursday I was in Kendall Square, Cambridge, home of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In order to gain access to a networking event, I had to register at the computer station on the ground floor. And when entering my email address, imagine my surprise, delight and pleasure when — shortly after clicking return — the screen stated something like: ‘Welcome back, Henry!’ Not a very big deal to some, but if you hadn’t been to this event since early May 2013, that is quite impressive and, I should have known, boded well for what awaited me and additional attendees.
Welcome to Venture Cafe, an opportunity to connect, learn and share with a slew of additional attendees — all in the shadow of one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning. With the aspirations of meeting others, widening my scope and seeing how my skills and those of people I meet may coincide and prove beneficial, I hardly expected such an upgrade as there were significant differences since the last time I attended this event. A more organized format featured speakers and break-out sessions, the lighting was down so the ambiance was more laid back and a new component was well underway. Called ‘Pitch Please’, the segment allows attendees to present themselves and their work, essentially an informercial.
The night prior, I was in the same building, indeed on the same floor but in a different room for Founders Live. This competition featured four ambitious entrepreneurs who presented the business ideas they’re developing to the voting audience whose ballots would decide who of the four would walk away with several thousand dollars in prize money to help propel forward their business. Many differences were in play with the popular TV show Shark Tank, but that show was in mind as I listened to four talented entrepreneurs pitch their recreational, techie, foodie and organizational projects.
On Monday, I listened to three hours-long blocks of women discuss their athletic pursuits as one day next month marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that mandates equality for both genders’ sports programming. Among the featured speakers were players of rugby, volleyball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, swimming and tennis. There were marathoners, triathletes, Ironwomen and cyclists, data specialists arguing why equality is necessary to enhance research for female athletes’ well being, as well as a high-level National Hockey League administrator whose advice was akin to: don’t quit your dream job before you have it. Speakers ranged in age from early 20s to mid 80s.
And, looking ahead, similar-type events await as well amid the widening of opportunity and forward progress as confidence grows.