Immediate posts from the people making the news!

This is just too cool - on Wednesday, June 16, Governor Jack Markell signed the "BFF" bill, providing real incentives for all of us to invite more businesses to Delaware - check out the details here.

If you clicked on the link above, you should have seen some great photos from the bill signing ceremony, but you did not see THIS photo:

Take a look at what Representative Tom Kovach is doing here (second from the right) - YES - he is letting all of us know about the bill signing via Twitter and Facebook!

And yes, Governor Markell posted about the bill signing, too

How Cool Is THAT!? WE are given real access to what's happening in Legislative Hall (seriously, Rep. Kovach regularly posts which committee meetings he's in, what's happening on the House Floor, and the kinds of discussions going on) - welcome to a whole new world!

If you're not already following @TomKovach and @GovernorMarkell - you should, now! Both are setting an example of what it means to be public servants, communicating with us - not just speaking at us.

As more elected officials, government leaders, business leaders, community activists, parents, teachers, students, friends, and family members engage in communicating together, I am confident we will see not only innovative solutions to issues, but also more cooperation and huge advances in our communities, our state, and our society.

Jeff Pulver on the Delaware Social Media Initiative

Jeff Pulver

Jeff Pulver is a globally renowned thought leader, author and entrepreneur. His blog is well read within the social media industry and in high-tech communities around the world. Jeff is the originator, proprietor and organizer of the 140 character conferences (#140conf) around the world. Jeff is also the founder of FWD, the VON Coalition, PrimeTimeRewind.TV, Vivox, the co-founder of VoIP provider, Vonage and an early investor in Twitter.

Jeff spent several hours with the Delaware Social Media crowd on June 15 - which happened to be the one year anniversary of the first #140 Conference in New York.

I asked Jeff if, in his travels around the world, he's seeing other states or regions trying to do use social media to connect people locally and highlight positive things from that region for the world to see.

"Oh yes, everyone is trying to do this," Jeff said.

So I asked how he thought Delaware was doing in comparison with everyone else.

"Well, you're actually doing it here in Delaware," was his response.

Jeff went on to tell us about how the people of Detroit are trying to use social media tools to revitalize their city. Wednesday morning, he invited Governor Jack Markell to come to Detroit and share with them what we're doing in Delaware - seriously - how cool is that!

Friends, this Delaware Social Media Initiative is happening because of you! Everyone who engages in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn - connects with others in the area - attends the various events (Ignite Wilmington, Ignite Sussex, Ignite Dover, Tweet Ups, NetDE Happy Hours, etc.) - uses the #netde hashtag on Twitter - helps to promote and support each other - YOU are the ones who are making this dream a reality!

Delaware is connecting - bonds are strengthening - we are creating an exciting new future together!

Here's a video of Jeff Pulver and Rick Jensen talking about what's happening here in Delaware and what the future may hold for all of us!

Videos from Ignite Wilmington #3

On May 13, 2010, Ignite Wilmington #3 rocked the city!

Here's my completely unofficial videos from that evening - enjoy!

Governor Markell's Address at the Entrepreneurial Business Conference

Once again, many thanks to Rodney Jordan of Armor Graphics for providing excellent video coverage!

Here's the keynote address at the Governor's Entrepreneurial Business Conference from Delaware Governor Jack Markell:

The Governor's Entrepreneurial Business Conference - Social Media Recap

I've heard nothing but great feedback from the Governor's Entrepreneurial Business Conference! We heard from

• Wilmington Mayor James Baker
• Delaware Economic Development Office Director Alan Levin
• Warren Brown, Founder and Owner of Cake Love
• University of Delaware President Patrick Harker
• Brian McGowan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development with the U.S. Department of Commerce
• Thomas O'Malley, Chairman of Petroplus
• Delaware Governor Jack Markell

Here's a few things we heard:

1. Delaware is on track to be the first state out of the recession
2. Delaware had three potential blows to our economy recently (closing of Chrysler Plant, closing of GM Plant, closing of oil refinery in Delaware City) - and all three have been turned around - UD purchasing Chrysler land to develop awesome stuff, Fisker purchasing GM plant, O'Malley purchasing the refinery
3. Follow Your Dreams and Passions!
4. The economy coming out of this recession will be vastly different from the economy we are used to
5. Economic Development needs to take a long-term, regional approach - not a short-term "only-in-my-back-yard" approach
6. Delaware's elected officials (esp. Governor Markell) "get it" when it comes to business
7. Delaware is working on some exciting new ideas to attract more business to the area

Then came the afternoon sessions.

Darnyelle Jervey, Director of the YWCA Center for Women's Entrepreneurship led a panel discussion on the Entrepreneurs' Tool Box with:

• Chris Burkhard, President, CBI Group, Inc.
• Ernie Dianastasis, Managing Director, CAI
• Barbara Hines, President, SSD Technology Partners, Inc.
• Margie Johnson, President, Shoptalk
• Mark Stellini, President/CEO, Virtual Resources, Inc.
• Dr. Devona Williams, President/CEO, Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc.

Oh, check out the Twitter Feed from the day by clicking here (more than 25 pages of content!)

Then, there's the Social Media experts!

Many, many thanks to Rodney Jordan for shooting and posting these videos! Here's the list of awesome speakers:

• Whitney Hoffman - Social Media 101 - let's get this party started!
• John McKown - Getting Started Action Plan - complete with cheat sheets
• Lee Mikles - how to join the social media party and not be “that guy”
• Maya Paveza - Why and how you should be there - discussing business strategy
• Jayla Boire - Content is still King - providing great content for your strategy
• Phil Woods - Measuring your social media campaign effectiveness
• Brenda Cheeseman - social media as the new chamber of commerce
• Laurie Bick - the job connection in social media 
• Major Highfield - Mobile Tactics
• Laurie Gelb - Be DelAWARE for Fun & Profit
• Rodney Jordan - We're building a community here

Coming June 4 - Governor's Entrepreneurial Business Conference

UPDATE: Early Bird Registration Extended!
You can still register for this event for only $35! (Early Bird Registration ends Friday, May 28 - you do not want to miss this opportunity!

CLICK HERE to Register NOW!

Last June's Entrepreneurial Business Conference at the Chase Center on the Riverfront was a day packed with information, resources, and networking. All indications are that this year's conference will be even better!

Before we go too far, let me just take care of this right now - here's the details:

WHAT: Governor's Entrepreneurial Business Conference
WHEN: Friday, June 4 - 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
WHERE: Chase Center at the Wilmington Riverfront
COST: $35 Early Bird Special until 5/28 - then $50
RSVP: Click Here to register

Here's what to expect that day:

1. Networking
2. Insights from Wilmington Mayor James Baker, Delaware Economic Development Office Director Alan Levin, UD President Patrick Harker, U.S. Asst. Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development John Fernandez, Governor Jack Markell, and more!
3. A Panel Discussion on the Entrepreneurs' Tool Box
4. One of the most exciting presentations yet on Social Media and business applications from some of the most dynamic, insightful speakers in and around the state of Delaware - each speaker will have 4 minutes to deliver their presentation in a comprehensive, entertaining fashion, you'll hear from:

• Whitney Hoffman - Social Media 101 - let's get this party started!
• John McKown - Getting Started Action Plan - complete with cheat sheets
• Lee Mikles - how to join the social media party and not be “that guy”
• Maya Paveza - Why and how you should be there - discussing business strategy
• Jayla Boire - Content is still King - providing great content for your strategy
• Phil Woods - Measuring your social media campaign effectiveness
• Brenda Cheeseman - social media as the new chamber of commerce
• Jeff Zarge - Getting your company into Social Media when the boss doesn't want to
• Laurie Bick - the job connection in social media 
• Major Highfield - Mobile Tactics
• Gigi Peterkin - corporate responsibility and regulatory issues
• Laurie Gelb - Be DelAWARE for Fun & Profit
• Rodney Jordan - We're building a community here

If you want to see why I'm really fond of this event, just click here.

Seriously folks, you do not want to miss this event - sign up here and come on out to the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington to network, learn, and engage at a whole new level!

Exclusive Report: Whitney Hoffman's Secret Power Source Revealed

Photographic evidence of performance enhancement supplies, speculation of sharing powers with others

Whitney Hoffman: Podcaster, Attorney, Speaker, Teacher, Leader, co-creator of PodCamp - Superhero?

The Delaware Social Media Initiative News Network has obtained evidence that one of the most influential movers and shakers in the area may be using performance enhancing materials - and, interviews indicate she may even be sharing those materials with others.

Who is Whitney Hoffman? 

Whitney Hoffman "has been involved in New Media and Social Media for the past four years, both as a content producer and as the organizer of Digital Media unconferences. She has organized Podcamp conferences in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. She recently organized the Web2Open sessions at the Web 2.0 Expo, in association with O'Reilly Publishing and TechWeb. She is CEO of Hoffman Digital Media, a digital media consulting firm that produces podcasts for clients, including the LD Podcast, an internet radio show about learning and learning disabilities and OB-GYN To Go, a podcast focusing on resident and physician education. Her personal blog, discussing finance, business, social media and more can be found at www.whitneyhoffman.com. Whitney co-authored Public Assembly Facility Law with Turner D. Madden for the International Association of Assembly Managers and presented at their annual conference."

NOTE: the preceding paragraph was shamelessly stolen from Technorati - click here to read more, including a comprehensive interview with Whitney Hoffman - which does NOT include any references to her stash of super power materials. 

Recently obtained photos from Whitney Hoffman's garage show a combination of supplies that - for many - help explain how she is able to accomplish so much. these photos show containers of:

• Antimatter
• Mind Control
• Justice
• Intuition
• Omnipotence
• Gravity
• Intelligence
• Immortality
• Matter
• Invisibility
• Chaos 
• Black Hole

It appears most of these supplies were purchased from the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company.

Chris Brogan - a self-described friend, legal client, and co-conspirator with Hoffman, was dismissive of any speculation of wrong-doing by Hoffman.

"Whitney's doing some truly incredible work, she's not doing anything illegal - we don't even know if she's using any of these supplies or if she's just keeping them in her garage for a friend," said Brogan. When asked if he had ever used any of these materials, Brogan simply said, "No Comment" and disappeared from sight.

Public Officials see no reason for alarm 

"Whitney Hoffman seems to be providing great insights and assistance to many, many people throughout Delaware and the region," said U.S. Congressman Michael N. Castle. "I don't see a problem, none of these substances are restricted by state or federal code."

Governor Jack A. Markell agrees.

"At least she is putting her powers to use for the public good," Gov. Markell said. 

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s Delaware home is located less than 10 miles from Whitney Hoffman's stash of materials. The Vice President could not be reached for this story, but sources say he has been overheard to say that if Hoffman is using these items, then "it's not a big f***ing deal."

Observations from Others

Maya Paveza was open to listing Hoffman's accomplishments but remained silent when asked if she had ever tried any of the materials herself.

"Look, Whitney is producing podcasts, teaching people about social media, organizing events, and making a ton of things happen in this area," said Paveza. "If she happens to use a mixture of extra Intelligence, Mind Control, and a pinch of Chaos to help make some of this... um, I mean, hypothetically if she were mixing some of those things... oh, screw it - good things are happening, no one is getting hurt - leave Whitney alone or I might have to break out some of the supplies in my garage."

Training an Army? 

From PodCamp Philly to AGS University to the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce to Community Matters Networking Group to the Tech Forum of Delaware and the Delaware BioScience Association to Network Delaware's Social Media Train - Whitney Hoffman has led seminars, spoken on panels, and influenced hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

The question is - is she using her supply of Mind Control in these training sessions?

"Whitney Hoffman provides our customers and friends with great insight and practical tips to help their businesses," said Charlie Copeland, President of AGS. Copeland went on to deny knowing anything about Hoffman using any extra substances before teaching at AGS University.

Investigation Continues 

Now that the world is aware of the stash of Super Power Supplies in Whitney Hoffman's home, the Delaware Social Media Initiative News Service is going to keep it's eyes and ears open for any evidence of the use of these supplies - not only by Hoffman, but also by her devoted circle of friends and supporters. 

Anyone witnessing acts of time travel, invisibility, extra gravity, or any other unexplained phenomena should contact the news service immediately.