Rocky Mountain News - "Society Calendar," August 10, 2004
Boulder Daily Camera - "Business mag makes bold move," August 15, 2004
DenverDailyBliss.com - "Cruisin' for a Schmoozin'", August 19, 2004
The Denver Daily News - "Bold Meets Bankrolled at Event," August 24, 2004
TechDenver.com - "Entrepreneurs Strut Their Stuff," August 23, 2004
TechDenver.com "Entrepreneurs Strut Their Stuff," By Adam Cole
Posted on Monday, August 23 @ 08:42 AM
Colorado may not yet be known as the next Silicon Valley, but the state’s premier entrepreneurs showed that it had the brass last Friday night as part of the Bold and Bankrolled event.
Presented by Colorado Company along with networking organization SchmoozeIt! and community-based business catalyst CTEK, along with various other participating organizations, the state’s mover and shakers, more than 750 in all, toasted under the stars at Westin Hotel’s Promenade Patio.
The night was part celebration of entrepreneurs and part celebration of Colorado Company’s one-year anniversary and SchmoozeIt!'s fifth anniversary.
“This was a complete collaboration of everyone involved,” said Candy Campbell, Colorado Company publisher and main organizer of the event. “When I began the magazine one year ago, I began it with a vision to showcase the state’s brightest business people. This event is sort of the real life slice of the content we’ve created over the last year.”
The event also featured key players from the area’s most established one-time startups—ProtoTest, Broadband Video, New Guard—and some of its newest up and comers: Discernex, Artic Summer, ebizmark, PC Conferencing and Integrated Alliances.
“We had the right key ingredients to make this event a smash - it will definitely be the talk of the town," said Lauri Harrison, founder of SchmoozeIt!.
Participants agreed on the event’s success.
“It was wonderful to see the Colorado networking organizations bringing us an extremely interesting event that brought together people from all facets of business,” said Mike O’Neil, President of Integrated Alliances, a tech-focused networking organization and telecommunications solutions company. “Only at these larger multi-group events do you really get a chance to create business relationships with people in related, but entirely different, business circles.”
As a special attraction to some of the businesses looking to get off the ground in a big way, CTEK, which has a direct link to angel investors, offered to listen to elevator pitches—inside a mock elevator. New businesses had 30 seconds to convince an angel that they deserved funding.
“Some ideas are always better than others,” said angel investor John Miller. “We’re looking for people with innovation and an idea that they can take far. Sometimes, it may take a little profit on their own before an angel wants to step in.”
Other activities included wine tasting provided by the Boulder Wine Merchant, which went well with the exquisite seafood selections, assorted cheese and to-die-for pastries made by the Westin Hotel.
While the ladies and gentleman looked star-tacular, what was perhaps the most awe-inspiring was the Maserati, showcased by the Alliance for Disabilities, which is hosting its golf tournament Oct. 3 (you can win the wheels with a hole-in-one).
A percentage of the Bold and Bankrolled proceeds went to charities: Blue Sky Bridge and the Longmont Coalition for Women in Crisis.
The event was sponsored by a long list of local companies that included Xilinx, UK Trade & Investment, Rockies Venture Club, CXO, DenverMix.com, Designdevine.com and more, who helped create more than $10,000 in cash and door prizes.
“You can only go forward after year one, and I think this state’s entrepreneurs will continue to move forward as well,” said Campbell.
Rocky Mountain News - "Society Calendar," August 10, 2004
The Blue Sky Bridge and the Longmont Coalition for Women in Crisis Safe Shelter Program will benefit from The Bold & The Bankrolled, an event hosted by Colorado Company Magazine in conjunction with SchmoozeIt!, which is celebrating its fifth year hosting business events. The event will begin Aug. 20 with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. and general admission is 6:30 p.m. on the promenade patio at the Westin Westminster hotel, 10600 Westminster Blvd. The event celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of Colorado and puts a twist on traditional business networking events while raising funds for nonprofits. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served and entertainment will be provided by The Future Jazz Project. Tickets are $35 in advance; $50 at the door. VIP tickets are $125, which includes an exclusive wine tasting and menu sampling. Call 303-485-8911 or visit www.boldandbankrolled.biz.
Boulder Daily Camera - "Business mag makes bold move," August 15, 2004
Candy Campbell publishes Colorado Company, a magazine for entrepreneurs. And she's about to host an event that helps them connect with people who finance them.
It's a story she's lived herself.
Two years ago, Campbell launched North City Business, a glossy magazine focusing on companies beyond Denver. After two issues, she changed the bi-monthly's name, if not its mission, to gain a better foothold in the market.
"With North City Business, we weren't giving credibility to this area because companies in downtown Denver weren't reading it," Campbell says. "They thought it didn't apply to them."
With a name change to Colorado Company, Campbell says the Boulder-based magazine expanded its reach.
"We've doubled if not almost tripled our distribution and our readership just by changing the name," the publisher and editor says.
Campbell aims to gain more clout for that name on Friday when the magazine sponsors "The Bold & the Bankrolled" at the Westin Westminster. The event, which begins with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. and a general event at 6:30, already has attracted 800 attendees, Campbell says.
Colorado Company bills the event as the ultimate chance to network with other entrepreneurs. The "pitch pass" will allow startups to promote their business in 30-second mock elevator pitches to senior advisors and angel investors of CTEK, the statewide business group.
"It's a great opportunity," said Campbell, 35. "Most entrepreneurs really never get that chance to stand in front of an angel in any social setting and just pitch them."
Campbell also wanted to organize an event that offered a better opportunity to mingle than traditional business events, which usually include an awards ceremony and formal dinner.
"It's very hard to network with anybody but those at your table (at awards dinners)," Campbell said. "So we thought, with the organizations like YEO (Young Entrepreneurs' Organization) and CTEK, Rockies Ventures Club, and all of the groups that are out there to assist Colorado entrepreneurs, this would be a great way to sponsor them, get them on board and throw a huge party that's predominantly networked from the who's who in Colorado to the who-wants-to-be."
Campbell knows what it's like to be a who-wants-to-be. She began connecting with local entrepreneur service groups a couple of years ago for the same reasons as other startups — she needed money.
Though she recently secured some private investment funds, Campbell initially had to finance the magazine on her own. But she forged alliances with entrepreneur groups along the way.
"We've gone in the back door by serving all these underserved organizations or nonprofit groups that benefit entrepreneurs," she said. "It's been self-promoting, but at the same time we've been promoting them heavily. And it all comes back around."
The Bold & the Bankrolled begins at 6:30 p.m. with a VIP reception at 5:30. Tickets are $35 in advance and $50 at the door. VIP admission is $125. Party attire is requested. To buy tickets, visit BoldandBankrolled.biz or call (303) 485-8911.
Camera Business Editor Mike Cote's column appears each Sunday. He can be reached at (303) 473-1362 or at cotemj@dailycamera.com.
DenverDailyBliss.com - "Cruisin' for a Schmoozin'", August 19, 2004
by Kat Valentine
Talk about a schmoozefest.
Imagine: 8-minute dating meets the elevator pitch.
Only in this case, you can avoid getting stuck for eight minutes with Mr. Mouthbreather.
Social entrepreneurship is the heart of Friday night's The Bold and the Bankrolled networking event at the Westin in Westminster. Bring your best ideas and business proposals and get busy networking. The up-and-comers can hit up the who's who crowd by schmoozing their way into a "pitchpass," where they can pitch their ideas directly to investors, advisors, and media representatives.
It's a collaboration between Colorado Company magazine and "SchmoozeIt," a networking group, but it's not supposed to be all business. Get your schmooze on, surely, but you can also get your drink on while you work the room. A VIP wine tasting starts the evening off at 5:30, and then a cocktail reception kicks off the event at 6:30. Jazz music and hors d'oeuvres round out the offerings; you and your business associates provide the entertainment yourself.
And who knows? You might just run into Mr. Wonderful while you're at it.
Tickets are $35 in advance, $50 at the door, $125 VIP. Visit www.boldandbankrolled.biz or call 303-485-8911.
The Denver Daily News - "Bold meets bankrolled at event," August 24, 2004
by Michele Fields
Candy Campbell from Colorado Company magazine, Jessica Wright, a special events professional, and Lauri Harrison from Buzz make quite a team! Their event, "The Bold and The Bankrolled," which was held Friday night on the outdoor patio of the Westin Westminster, was impressive by any standards.
This inaugural event puts a fresh twist on traditional business networking by featuring an interactive forum for entrepreneurs (the "bold") to schmooze potential investors (the "bankrolled") into bankrolling either start-ups or existing small businesses.
Although they were expecting 700 participants, it appeared to only draw a couple of hundred. Their loss. This was a great place to strut your stuff both personally and professionally.
People in the business community whose names I've heard over the years were in attendance. Sherry Fox of BioCare wore an elegant ankle-length black St. John's suit bordered with rhinestones. Anne Murray-Randolph was there with her significant other to promote Lore magazine. This mag focuses on real estate movers and shakers from all over the country. Judy Taylor, publisher of Colorado's Zenith Woman magazine, a lovely four-color magazine honoring the achievements of women business owners in the community, was involved in signing in participants.
One of the "bankrolled," Michael Jude Lopitz, explained with his partner/wife that they are looking to invest in companies that are community oriented and socially responsible. Wanda Colburn, senior vice president of Atlantic Trust (a private wealth management firm) works with the high-end cream of the business crop. Laurie Riley, director of development at Cold Creek Capital, made it clear to several quite "bold" business people that they are looking to invest no less than $1 million to $5 million dollars.
Victoria Goode with The Chocolate Foundry in Cherry Creek "boldly" pushed her way into our private conversation to promote expanding the company and other well-thought-out ideas for growth. Also attending the soirée was John Cody, president/CEO of the Longmont Area Economic Council, where ideas become products.
Brad Peterson from The Alliance for people with disabilities had a booth set up. This company is modeled after the AARP but focuses on disabled people. It will disseminate information through the Web, based in Denver, all over the country. The Alliance has a 5-10 year plan to change the societal view of the disabled. They will sponsor their annual golf tournament Oct. 3 at the Inverness Hotel and Golf Club.
If you paid the VIP rate for a ticket, you were privy to fantastic gourmet food, particularly the desserts. I can't say enough about the variety, quality and abundance of the desserts! There were also light appetizers. The Westin Westminster did a wonderful job, not only with the food but also with the presentation of the event. Music by Peneplain Jazz Project set off the evening and even though there were sprinkles of rain from time to time, they did not dampen the mood or the food.
Looking to schmooze? You're in the right place
The Denver Business Journal; Denver; Nov 17, 2000
Patrick Sweeney
Volume: 52
Issue: 14
Start Page: 3A
LH3 is mixing business with pleasure and giving the art of schmoozing some credibility along the way.
That's because the Denver-based company's networking parties for the high-tech community have attracted a large and ever-growing following among Internet players. But it's not high-tech geeks with pocket protectors showing up at an LH3 party, known as Schmoozelt! Instead, LH3 has been able to build its reputation by attracting upper- and middie-management types to its popular events.
That's because LH3 emphasizes socializing and having a good time as opposed to the more traditional trade-show aspect of a networking function.
Working with a budget of between $50,000 and $60,000 to produce SchmoozeIt!, LH3 charges about $25 per ticket for people to attend. The company's first event this summer at The Church was deemed hip enough to place the party on the E! channel's "Wild on the Mile High City" episode that aired this fall. Because of the high-profile nature of Schmoozelt!, LH3 was able to land Internet giant Yahoo! as a co-sponsor of future events.
"The first one was just planned off the cuff in two weeks," LH3 President Lauri Harrison said.
Along with holding Schmoozelt! in Denver, LH3 has also produced the networking events in Honolulu and Salt Lake City The company is looking to add Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix and Charlotte, .N.C., to its roster of host cities.
Marci Gower, director of marketing and public relations for the Internet giftgiving service provider Frog Magic, said they continue to get positive feedback from the people met at a Schmoozelt! event. Boulder-based Frog Magic cosponsored the Sept. 28 networking party that took place at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
"We were there to meet other possible partners and to also spread the word about our gift-giving solutions to decision makers from a B2B standpoint," Gower said. "It was really just a more casual, fun event to do and people were more open to talking with us casually. It wasn't like a stuffed-shirt kind of schmoozing event."
"We're not just throwing monthly cocktail parties," Harrison said. "We work our butts off, but we do it with a lot of flair and a lot, of fun."
Harrison said that many in the high-tech community are clamoring for a monthly event, but Denver will have to make do with seasonal Schmoozelt! events for now. The next one is scheduled for sometime in April or May. However, the company will sponsor the tentatively titled Pink Slip Party in late January as a Schmoozelt! offshoot that will put downsized professionals in touch with recruiters. The theme of the Pink Slip Party is "If you can't work, you can always play."
The Denver Post
Kelly Pate ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Dec 10, 2000
[Excerpt from full article]
Besides handling marketing and PR for those clients, LH3 spends half its energy coordinating the SchmoozeIt!events, which promote professional networking Generation X style. The venues always vary, and next year LH3 plans to take SchmoozeIt! to Hawaii, Austin, Texas, Charlotte, N.C., and Dublin, Ireland.
Since LH3 formed eight months ago, the Denver marketing and PR boutique has quickly established a name for itself, hosting Schmooze- It! networking events for young techies and growing a solid list of high-tech clients.
The Denver Post
Kelly Pate, Advertising & Marketing
Oct 1, 2000
[Excerpt from full article]
Hopefully, the new Karsh commercial will help boosting slipping attendance figures at the museum. Last Thursday's SchmoozeIt! Denver event at the museum, sponsored by Yahoo and other media and dot-com companies, should also help. Yahoo plans to Webcast the event for three months.