Internet Tech Boston

The 14th Annual MITX Awards at the Boston Marriott Copley did not disappoint. The MITX awards attract entries celebrating innovative web design and development projects from all across the state, from small boutique firms to large marketing agency powerhouses. I was lucky enough to part of a team that won a MITX award in 2005, and believe me – when you go up against tough competition and walk away the winner – you feel really good. Be sure to keep an eye out on the VisibleGains and MITX websites for the video of agencies and in-house groups celebrating their MITX win. You’ll see a version of pure, unadulterated joy that can only be the result of working your tail off to produce a body of work that you are completely proud of – and then having a group of your people you have deep respect for, recognize YOU as a top talent. Oh, and you get a shiny plaque, too. Which is cool.

But, the real value of this yearly MITX event is not the handing out of awards. Really, this is where the best and brightest in interactive technology and creative design come to meet, greet, and share ideas. In addition to spending time pestering my VisibleGains droogs who were who were there supporting MITX by recording a “video winner’s circle,” I got a chance to reconnect with lots of smart people who get stuff done, like Keith Cline. He’s the guy behind VentureFizz, the one stop shop for information related to the local Boston VC, entrepreneur, and technology innovation community. I also had a great conversation with Brian Bolton, VP Marketing over at Bridgeline Software, about the value of technology workers in the agency world. Congrats to Brian, Marcel, and the rest of the Bridgeline team on their MITX win. Bobbie Carlton was there too, and I learned that her wildly successful Mass Innovation Nights is now spreading its wings and becoming more than that. This Friday, Bobbie will be hosting the first Innovation Breakfast at the Waltham IBM Innovation Center.

In addition to reconnecting with folks I know and respect, I was also able to meet some new faces. MITX attracts the people that you see and learn from on Twitter, and webinars, and other speaking opportunities.  Early in the evening, I met Greg Cangialosi, a fellow online video marketing buff. His company is BlueSky Factory – an smart email marketing platform used by other smart companies like Hubspot. But, while having an office in Mass, BlueSky is really based out of Baltimore, MD. So, I was still on the hunt to meet the  titans of Massachusetts innovation economy. After all, this blog is Internet Tech Boston. I met Jamie Scheu from Hill Holliday. He didn’t talk much about where he’s from. Must be his shyness. Finally, I spent a good amount of time with Cappy Popp, of Mass-based ThoughtLabs, who is just about ready to release his new book on Facebook. From what he was able to tell me, it sounds like a really good read. I’ve added it to my Amazon Wishlist.

Scott Kirsner was also there, toasting to MITX and the nominees and recipients. Special thanks to Scott for including me in his Boston.com review of the MITX and Boston History events. With Larry Weber and  Kiki Mills from MITX, Keith from VentureFizz, Bobbie from Mass Inno, and Scott of Innovation Economy fame all in the same room, it was a veritable Boston home team rally. All we really needed was Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, and Tom Brady to come strolling by to turn it into every New Yorkers’ special version of hell.

Yeah – I loved every minute of it.