12 Most Wonderful Seconds of #140Conf

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On June 14, 2011, twelve seconds rocked my day. I landed at LaGuardia Airport and, after saying ‘Hey’ to Gene Simmons and his lovely wife Shannon, picked up my luggage. I walked to the other end of the terminal and stood by the United/AA carousel.

I heard someone call my name. I turned toward the voice and there she was. Jessica Northey, that extraordinary woman who, up until now, was a disembodied voice and a garbled video image via Skype, ran up to me and we hugged and laughed and shrieked (as only girls can do). The Best 12 seconds. Ever. And, it just got better from there.

We were in NYC to attend the #140 Conference. If you’ve never heard of it, I invite you to emerge, blinking in the sunlight, from your mother’s basement. Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference is a brilliant exchange of insight and ideas; diverse “characters” sharing intimate stories of how time online can be meaningful and human. From reaching out to global communities to enhance education (Hadley Ferguson (@hadleyjf) JP Toto (@jptoto) Kim Sivick (@ksivick) Patrick Higgins (@pjhiggins) through the art of storytelling from an ex-con (Andy Dixon (@andydixn) Brett Henley (@bretthenley) to making the homeless Visible Carey Fuller (@careyfuller) Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal), this eclectic group of over 100 speakers moved me to laughter and to tears.

Jeff Pulver (@jeffpulver) is a bonafide, card-carrying genius. His efforts to organize the #140 Conferences are super-human and we are the winners. I am truly grateful for the privilege of attending and to have met this brilliant, soft-spoken and uber-friendly man.

One thing around my house that always gets a snide laugh and an eyeroll from my kids is when I say “this person I met on Twitter”. Before I got involved in Social Media, I, too, was a skeptical snickerer. Now, after meeting some of the amazing folks – on Twitter and IRL – I snicker no more. This list is far from complete but here are some 12Most amazing folks from #140!

Hint: All of the names and twitter handles are linked!

1. Geo Geller (@geogeller)

Insultant for Hire. What more do you need to know? Funny and flashy, my retinas are finally recovered from his on-camera-flash antics.

2. Melissa Pierce (@melissapierce)

This beautiful redhead is true to her bio: Pro Mess Anti Crap … the smile and singing voice of an angel.

3. Heidi Cohen (@heidicohen)

Actionable Marketer upon whom many of us depend for serious guidance AND a supernova of laughter and joy! What an absolute blessing to meet her IRL!

4. Lynn Ponder (@Ponderful)

Look in the dictionary under Energy, Social, and Superstar – you’ll find her picture. I’m definitely a happier person for knowing her.

5. Debra Cincioni (@momsofamerica)

Most Spirited Vibrant BadAss I’ve ever met! I can NOT imagine anything getting her down (not even a red wine spill!) – and she keeps everyone sailing along in with her positive energy!

6. Ann Tran (@AnnTran_)

A petite beauty bursting with spirit, light, and insight … and I’m guessing not a little mischief! Vibrant, brilliant – with the sweetest smile (and probably up to something hilarious).

7. Liz Strauss (@lizstrauss)

There is logic behind the fact that she is admired and respected; kind-hearted, authentic, and a wicked wry wit! An honour to meet!

8. Gina Stark (@SuuperG)

I’ve had the pleasure of Tweeting with Gina, who is delightful online. She is even more delightful in person – when she smiles, hearts warm and rooms burst into light.

9. Gigi Belmonico (@gigibelmonico)

VaVaVOOOM! That should say it all! Beautiful, bright Bombshell with a warm hug and a heart of gold!

10. Carey Fuller (@careyfuller) and Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal)

A humbling privilege to meet these two extraordinary people who work tirelessly to Make the homeless Visible. #respect!

11. Brian White (@BrianKOLD)

Thoughtful, sensitive and intelligent journalist and human who really knows his way around (or at least to) Brooklyn, Sarah Austin (@pop17) Such a bright light, she is caring and has the kindest heart of anyone I’ve had the pleasure to meet, Sean Gardner (@2morrowknight) is a superstar on Twitter; even a bigger star IRL – open, kind, and generous.
I had the amazing fortune to spend some time with these three who all participated in Jessica Northey’s #140 panel on Real Time Reporting.

12. Bruce Sallan (@BruceSallan)

Well. What can I say? He was leaving the VIP reception and saw us standing outside. Walked up to our little girly group and introduced himself (neither he nor I knowing who the other was) … it took me about three seconds to recognize him: “Bruce? Bruce Sallan?? Get OUT!” It was like a reunion of the long lost – Best. Hug. Ever! Bruce – U Rock!

This is going to be the proverbial Baker’s Dozen because I hold the special Lucky 13 spot for my dearest friend, Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey). As an introvert (and one VERY new to Twitter and its attendant Tweetups), I was nervous about attending the 140 Conf. I didn’t really know anyone … but Jessica made certain I was welcomed and introduced me to everyone. She is a treasure; a celebrity, to be sure, but a woman overflowing with warmth, love, kindness, and generosity rarely seen. I love and deeply appreciate her. (And she totally glammed me up! I have never been that glittery in my entire life!!

Tell me about your online to IRL experiences (but please, keep them PG)!

Featured image courtesy of clasesdeperiodismo licensed via creative commons.

Tobey Deys

http://tobeydeys.com/

With an eclectic background in photography, sales & marketing, Tobey Deys is a lover of smart thoughts, snowboarder crazy for diamonds and powder, gourmet gourmand, rider of horses & road bikes, and Social Media junkie. She also spends time growing websites that help communities: click2cause.com facilitates online fundraising and freshradius.com opens the world to the Locavore movement. Tobey is currently developing a platform to help SMB get found online in Local Search. New to blogging and loving it, she shares some of the stuff in her head here - tobeydeys.com. She's the only Tobey Deys on this planet. That doesn't make her special ~ it's just true.