If you’ve been making the networking rounds lately, you’ve probably been noticing a heightened level of people out of work and looking for a job.  Wait, I’m sorry.  The ubiquitous term of the moment is “in transition.”  You know things are bad when people can agree on a euphemism for “laid off.”  Indeed, the environment is reminding me of the last great tech meltdown, which starting producing similar crowds around 2001.  And it makes me wonder: are the Pink Slip Parties on the way back?  (They’ve already returned in New York City and Houston.)

If you weren’t active in the market back then, a “Pink Slip Party” is a party for the unemployed/recently laid off.  Frequently, there’s an attempt to have HR and recruiters in the room.  Ideally, companies will have a booth and people will line up to interview for jobs right there at the party.

Does this sound like a good thing?  Well, it can be.  The thing is, there are some strange elements that can creep into a Pink Slip Party. (more…)

Unquestionably Chicago’s highest volume technology networking event, TECH cocktail is having their 10th edition of their business mixer next Thursday (Februrary 19). As part of the run-up to TECH cocktail 10, we’ve put a few questions to TECH cocktail co-founder Eric Olson about the origins of the event, their expansions (please note their Facebook page touts a potential expansion to New York City) and plans for tech community unity.

Chicago Tech News: While FeedBurner was going along nicely in May 2006, and arguably Chicago’s tech flavor of the month at the time, you and Frank Gruber were still a full year away from cashing out in the Google sale. Why did you decide to start a side-venture while your company was still in a relatively early stage? (more…)