To All My “Internet Friends”...
After meeting @natureofbeing, @andrarchy, @voronoi, and @macksby in the fall and a few days ago getting together with @prufarchy, @dreemit, @surfermarly, and @knircky for the first time, I've been wanting more and more to have regular meetups with fellow Steemians. I'm not so good at holding conversation through text (whether email, messaging, even Steemit chat/comments) and had a wonderful time getting to know these super interesting guys and gals in the “real world.” I find that the conversations are so much more intense and productive in-person.
The energy is infectious and I truly believe that we may be able to start making so much progress in the real world to forward Steemit's impact and visibility.
With this buzz and a bit of elbow grease, I'm extremely excited to introduce you to ------>
Steemit's New NYC-based Stomping Ground
I've been ping-ponging ideas off of @andrarchy, @voronoi, and @prufarchy to host more in-person gatherings and productive endeavors in the Big Apple. I finally got around to it and started this Meetup group!
My hope is to have regularly (at least monthly) gatherings in New York City so that fellow Steemians and those interested in the platform can get more of an in-person social experience and build relationships face-to-face. It's so difficult for people new to the platform to get a handle on how it all works and at least for me, it has been a great deal easier to explain it all with hand gestures and voice rather than a block of text and images.
Background image produced and "permission-ed" by the talented @voronoi!
Here are some of my preliminary goals -
1- Introduce more of the general (creative) NYC population to Steemit and blockchain technology through workshops and presentations
2- Pursue collaborative events and activities that use the power of the Steemit community for physical impact (i.e. Steemit Park)
3- Get a solid crew together for Happy Hour Steem Beers
...not listed in order of priority...
I was super inspired by @firepower's efforts in India and want to bring a lot of that impact to my own city. @Cnstlf60 also recently posted about more regular meetups at Cafe Jason / 카페제이슨 in South Korea that actually accepts STEEM for coffee!
@firepower awesome Steemit Accelerator - link
While in New York, I've had awesome blockchain-centric experiences including talking with @charlieshrem and attending events held by the Blockchain for Social Good meetup group, organized by team members of Consensys. I really want to overlap these incredible people/resources more and more with Steemit and since NYC regularly has crypto-related events, I thought this Meetup group could really be an outpost for everyone within and interested in Steemit.
For an actual space to gather in for presentations and other organized events, we'll be hosting at WOMP Studio and working closely with founder Gabriela to incorporate the best and latest into fabrication technology, next-gen modeling, and many other techniques for contemporary creative practice. Being in the heart of innovative Brooklyn, The Creative Blockchain NYC will hopefully mobilize and connect the energies of local professionals to our vibrant online community.
The Meetup Description
“The Creative Blockchain NYC is a meetup group dedicated to individuals who are specifically interested in learning and sharing creative knowledge as it pertains to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. We'll be exploring how this emerging industry will impact content production and professions, and how we can best utilize new tools for creative purposes.
A great focus of discussion and presentation will be activity concerning the growing community Steemit.com and how "Steemians" have been able to employ the world's first social-media crypto.
So whether you're already in the world of digital currency with interests in new creative practices/technologies or you're a creative professional who wants to better leverage an emerging revolution in tech, come join us at The Creative Blockchain NYC!
Formal presentations and discussions will be held at WOMP Studio in Brooklyn, NY and casual social events will be scheduled in diverse cafes, bars, etc. around New York City.”
Let me know you comments, criticisms, and any new ideas of what we can do at The Creative Blockchain! Everything is super “first draft” and I'm sure words, missions, precise activities, etc. will change over time. I invite all of you to join, even if you're on the other side of the world, so that we get some literal grassroots momentum behind our global Steemit communities.
LET'S STEEM ON!!
Be sure to comment, resteem, and 
and check out my design collective @hitheryon
!
and check out my design collective @hitheryon
!