Why I Keep Tweeting #DCWEEK

It started with an opening party at an urban grunge-chic art gallery. With fire breathers. Graffiti-making. And cell phone video artists.

But that’s just the beginning. Digital Capital Week – or DCweek for short – is a 10-day extravaganza conference in the District dedicated to local govies, techies, developers, media-ites and non-profiteers. This unique mixture of professionals are working to brainstorm on civic-minded projects, and well as learn professionally, and do some good, old-fashioned networking.

Here are just a few of the things I’ve done (and plan to do):

• Attended the opening party, where I finally got to meet some new – and reunite with other – Twitter friends, like @DigitalSista, @JillFoster, @Digiphile, @kelshew, @corbett3000, and @katierogers.

• Listened to the CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh, talk about using social media to connect with customers 1-to-1. He also has some great theories on best practices for internal corporate environment. I even got a free copy of his brand-new best-seller, “Delivering Happiness.”

• Participated in CityCampDC – a two-day “unconference” of planning civic projects revolved around technology. My small brainstorming group came up with a strategy to donate smart phones to lower-income phones, to boost their ability to find jobs.

• Non-Profit Day 2.0. I got to hear two great sessions on new tools to measure social media endeavors (TweetBeep, Topsy, Tweetmeme, Involver, etc.)

• A session called “Digital Innovation in the News Media.” Well, yes, after 4 years studying journalism & media arts…and after interning after 5 different kinds of media outlets, I’m always excited to hear what people have to say about the news media’s future (if we’re being pessimistic, I’d say “Ill-fated”). But I’m an optimist.

• The TechArts closing party – at D.C. historic 9:30 Club. Can’t wait.

Want in on the action? Check out the schedule – there’s still plenty of events left. I promise, you won’t be bored.